Let’s Picnic
April 23, 2014
The big date is almost here for graduating seniors! With high expectations for nice picnic weather on the weekend of May 9th-11th, picnic shelters have been booking up fast. If you plan to graduate and celebrate with a picnic in the spring of 2015, now is the time to get your reservation in!
When choosing a park in Ames, consider how many people are in your group and if you want a woodsy area surrounded by trees, open grass space, or a lake to enjoy.
The most popular parks in Ames include:
Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 N. Grand Avenue
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Lake,open green space, prairies
Covered shelters(not reservable)
Picnic tables, grills, restrooms, walking paths, paved bike paths
Fishing and boating (electric motors only) are allowed
Lighted, handicap accessible
Brookside Park, 1325 6th Street
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Open green space and wooded area
Maple, Hickory, and Linden Shelters -reservation required
Picnic tables, grills, restrooms, walking paths
Playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts
Daley Park and Greenbelt, 340 Wilder Blvd.
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Open green space
Daley Shelter –reservation required (alcohol-free facility)
Restrooms, walking path, paved bike path
Basketball court, playground
Lighted, handicap accessible
Emma McCarthy Lee Park, west of Hyland, south of Ross Road
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Open green space and wooded area
Crab Apple and Butternut Shelters –reservation required
Picnic tables, grills, electrical outlets, restrooms
Playground, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts
Lighted, handicap accessible
Inis Grove Park, 2500 Duff Avenue
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Open green space and wooded area
Red Oak, Walnut, and Shagbark Shelters – reservation required
Picnic tables, restrooms, grills, electrical outlets
Playground, horseshoes, basketball courts, nature area
Lighted, handicap accessible
Moore Memorial Park, 3050 Northridge Parkway
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Open green space
Big Bluestem andConeflower Shelters – reservation required
Picnic tables, restrooms, grills, electrical outlets
Playground, walking path, paved biking path, nature area
Lighted, handicap accessible
River Valley Park, 725 E. 13th Street
Park Hours: 6am to 10:30pm
Open green space and wooded area
Hawthorn and Cottonwood Shelters – reservation required
Picnic tables, electrical outlets, restrooms, nature area
Playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoes
Lighted, handicap accessible
For more information about Ames parks, please visit the Ames Parks & Recreation website.
