Outdoors NearbyAccessible playgrounds in Iowa
16 playgrounds in 13 towns across Iowa, 7 of them designed for all abilities or sensory play. Most are in Des Moines (2), Iowa City (2), Urbandale (2) and Ames (1).
Des Moines: 2 accessible playgrounds
- Variety Star Playground Inclusive
adaptive swing, ramps, rubber surface
Carnival-themed with an accessible zipline.
- Ashley Okland Star Playground Inclusive
About 50 play elements for all abilities and a short nature trail.
Iowa City: 2 accessible playgrounds
- The Arc of Southeast Iowa Playground Inclusive
quiet space
Nonprofit-run playground with a wheelchair glider and cozy cocoons.
- College Green Park Playground Accessible
Urbandale: 2 accessible playgrounds
- Urbandale All-Inclusive Playground Inclusive
- Northview Park Playground Accessible
ground-level play, rubber surface
Ames
- Barnes Family Inclusive Playground Inclusive
Ankeny
- Miracle Park Inclusive
ramps, sensory play
Inclusive playground beside an accessible baseball field.
Bellevue
- Cole Park Playground Accessible
rubber surface
Cedar Falls
- Place To Play Park Playground Accessible
Cherokee
- Quimby Park Partly accessible
Humboldt
- Wildcat Wonderland Partly accessible
Muscatine
- Riverside Park Playground Accessible
New Hampton
- Kindness Square Inclussive Playground Accessible
Tiffin
- F.W. Kent Park Playground Accessible
West Des Moines
- Inclusive Playground "Eric's Place" Inclusive
merry-go-round (accessible), ramps, turf surface, wheelchair swing
Looking for any playground, not only accessible ones? See all 980 parks with playgrounds in Iowa. We explain what makes a playground accessible or inclusive and what to check before you go.
Data for Iowa: OpenStreetMap volunteers plus city and county park pages. "Partly accessible" marks places with some barriers, such as a step or loose surface. Missing a playground? Tell us through the suggestion form.
Frequently asked questions
Where is an inclusive playground in Iowa?
Inclusive Playground "Eric's Place" in West Des Moines is one of 7 inclusive or sensory playgrounds we list in Iowa. Others are in Des Moines, Ankeny, Iowa City and Ames.
How many wheelchair-accessible playgrounds are in Iowa?
16 in our data: 7 inclusive, 7 wheelchair accessible, 2 partly accessible. Expect more on the ground: newer Iowa playgrounds usually meet the ADA basics without being labeled.
Do Iowa playgrounds have to be ADA accessible?
Public playgrounds built or rebuilt since March 2012 have to meet the 2010 ADA Standards, in Iowa as everywhere in the US. Renovations bring older playgrounds up to the standard, and many Iowa cities post their upgrade plans online.