About This Playground
🌳 Jester Park Natural Playscape is an innovative nature-based playground in Iowa that encourages children to interact with natural elements. It features areas designed to inspire creative play through logs, boulders, water features, and natural building materials rather than traditional playground equipment.
Visitor Experience: The Jester Park Natural Playscape receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with visitors praising the unique natural play elements, educational opportunities, and the way it encourages imaginative play. Families particularly appreciate how it connects children with nature.>
More about this playground
Playground Type
Address
12000-12592 NW 128th St, Madrid, IA 50156, USA
Phone
(515) 323-5300
+1 515-323-5300
Coordinates
41.7911, -93.79211
Hours of Operation
Hours may vary during holidays. Please call ahead for confirmation.
Playground Features
Age Suitability
Suitable for children of all ages, with different areas accommodating various developmental stages. Particularly engaging for children aged 2-12 years.
Equipment Available
Not traditional equipment but natural play elements including climbing logs, boulders, water features, sand play areas, natural building materials, hollow logs, stepping stones, and natural balance beams.
Shaded Areas
Numerous shaded areas provided by mature trees throughout the playscape, offering natural respite from the sun.
Seating For Parents
Multiple benches and seating areas made from natural materials positioned throughout the playscape for parents to supervise children.
Restroom Availability
Clean restroom facilities available near the playscape area.
Drinking Fountains
Water fountains available near the restroom facilities, including accessible height options.
Safety Accessibility
Fencing
The natural playscape uses landscape design rather than formal fencing to define boundaries, with natural berms and vegetation creating gentle borders.
Surface Material
Primarily natural surfaces including engineered wood fiber mulch, sand, grass, and soil. These materials are regularly maintained for safety.
Ada Accessibility
Portions of the playscape are accessible to visitors with mobility limitations, with accessible pathways connecting main features.
Cleanliness Maintenance
Well-maintained with regular cleaning and upkeep. Natural materials are inspected routinely and replaced as needed to ensure safety.
Additional Amenities
Nearby Parking
Ample free parking available close to the playscape with designated accessible spaces.
Pet Policy
Leashed pets allowed in certain areas of the greater park but not directly in the natural playscape area.
Bike Racks
Bike racks available near the entrance for visitors cycling to the park.
Nearby Food Options
Picnic areas available nearby. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own food as there are limited food vendors within the immediate vicinity.
Sports Areas
The larger Jester Park complex includes hiking trails and other recreational areas.
Walking / Biking Trails Nearby
Extensive trail system throughout Jester Park, with connections to the playscape area, providing opportunities for hiking and nature exploration.
Community Reviews
User Submitted Photos
Numerous photos shared on social media and review platforms showcasing children engaged with natural elements and families enjoying the space.
Recent Reviews
Recent visitors highlight the educational value, unique design, and how the space encourages creative play and nature connection.
Crowd Levels
Moderately busy on weekends and during summer months; weekday mornings tend to be less crowded.
Special Events
Regular nature education programs, seasonal celebrations, and ranger-led activities throughout the year.
User Experience
Entrance Fee
Free admission to the natural playscape and Jester Park.
Space For Groups
Ample space for family gatherings and small groups with picnic areas nearby that can be reserved for larger gatherings.
Nature Connection
Outstanding opportunities for nature connection, with the entire playscape designed to immerse children in natural elements and foster appreciation for the environment.
Noise Level
Generally peaceful with natural sounds predominating; busier during peak times but maintains a calm atmosphere compared to traditional playgrounds.
Aesthetic Design
Thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural environment, using local materials and native plantings to create a seamless connection with the surrounding park.
Safety Regulations
Security Presence
Park rangers periodically patrol the area, with increased presence during busy periods and special events.
Rules Restrictions
Standard park rules apply: no smoking, adult supervision required for young children, pack-in-pack-out waste policy, and respecting natural features.
First Aid Availability
Park staff trained in basic first aid; more comprehensive first aid available at the Jester Park main office during operating hours.
Community Interaction
Community Activities
Regular environmental education programs, nature walks, and seasonal festivals that utilize the natural playscape as a learning environment.
Social Interaction
Design encourages collaborative play and social interaction between children, with natural features that accommodate multiple users simultaneously.
Sustainability Environment
Eco Friendly Practices
Built using sustainable practices and local materials, with ongoing commitment to minimal environmental impact through careful maintenance.
Renewable Energy
Some solar-powered lighting features around the park, though minimal artificial lighting in the playscape itself to preserve natural ambiance.
Walkability Bike Access
Well-connected to local trail systems, with bike racks and pedestrian paths encouraging non-motorized transportation to the playscape.
Reviews
Penny (Hello Kitty)
5 months ago
This place is very nice. We saw lots of hummingbirds around the building due to the lady's feeders. We saw a snake in the water from the bridge. The nature center architecture is Frank Lloyd Wright inspired and does not disappoint. We saw a few bison and elk in a pin. We came specifically for the Archery at the rec building. Awesome!
View on GoogleBarbara Krueger
3 months ago
Wonderful for kids and adults alike! See real life bison and elk herds. Take some trails, learn while playing activities along the way. Or just drive through for the scenery and wildlife!
View on GoogleMaxi Hedlund
6 months ago
Great family-friendly, educational, outdoor activities. Amazing to see the bison and elk moving around in the enclosures.
View on GoogleAli Kunkle
a year ago
My kids really love being here and out enjoying nature. Extra points when you get an upclose look at the Buffalo and elk. Really beautiful place.
View on GoogleMarty Hogan
4 years ago
Nice little park. Wish the Interpretive Center was open....damn COVID. We enjoyed walking a bit and seeing the buffalo and elk was an added bonus. The Playscape area would be a neat place for kids to interact. There is a little lake further in the park and has some good fishing in the spring. Nice places for picnics and get togethers in the shelters as well.
View on Google