Des Moines Water Works Park

Des Moines Water Works Park Des Moines Water Works was initially formed as a private water company in 1871 and subsequently became a public utility in 1919.

The Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation is dedicated to enhancing Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa, by integrating education, conservation, recreation, and health to improve the quality of life for Central Iowans. To protect the watershed and fulfill its mission, over time, DMWW acquired approximately 1,500 acres of land within the city of Des Moines, creating Water Works Park. Although man

y of us know Water Works Park as a natural playground for humans and animals alike, the Park’s primary mission is to serve as the first water source for Des Moines Water Works. It plays a crucial role in meeting the drinking water needs of 500,000 central Iowans, providing a reliable and secure water source. Unseen by the Park’s thousands of annual visitors, a three-mile-long pipe, known as the “Infiltration Gallery System,” runs underground and parallel to the Raccoon River. The Gallery collects naturally filtered water from the sand and gravel of the river valley. The ponds in Water Works Park, most visibly used for recreational fishing, were strategically constructed to help saturate the soil along the gallery system, thereby enhancing its efficiency. The Gallery provides Des Moines Water Works with up to 20 million gallons of water each day, which is needed for water treatment. At the time of its installation in the late 1800s, the Gallery was a wholly unique and innovative system developed to naturally filter the water. The centerpiece of the Master Plan continues this innovation with “The Circuit,” which will not only provide recreational opportunities, but more importantly, enhance Gallery capacity.

08/31/2026

Join us tonight for a free concert from a volunteer-based community band as the Killinger Foundation Community Series presents the Greater Des Moines Community Band at 6:30 pm.

Join us this evening for the Ballet Des Moines Fall Arts Preview presented by the Burnett Family Foundation Cultural Ser...
08/30/2026

Join us this evening for the Ballet Des Moines Fall Arts Preview presented by the Burnett Family Foundation Cultural Series at Des Moines Water Works Park.

Join us for free dance lessons this Friday, thanks to the Des Moines Ballroom Dance Studio the Burnett Family Foundation...
08/27/2026

Join us for free dance lessons this Friday, thanks to the Des Moines Ballroom Dance Studio the Burnett Family
Foundation Cultural Series.

🎉 This is the week!🎉

We're just a few days away from our very first Dancing in the Park, and we can't wait to dance the evening away with all of you!

📅 Friday, August 28
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 Water Works Park

Grab your friends and family and join us for a fun-filled evening featuring:
🎶 Live music by the Gaylin Sudik Big Band
💃 A FREE dance lesson
🌟 Dance performances
🌮 Food trucks
🕺 Social dancing

👉 Check out all the event details and invite your friends here:
facebook.com/share/1EtKcA5L9C/

Whether you're one of our students or you've never danced before, we'd love to see you there! This event is FREE and open to the public, so come enjoy a beautiful summer evening with us.

📣 Des Moines Ballroom dancers: Don't forget—this event will take the place of our Friday Practice Party this week, so we'll see you at the park!

Who's excited? Let us know below! ⬇️

TONIGHT! Clay Walker with BlackHawk and special guest Colton Dawson at Lauridsen Amphitheater, a part of teh Willis Sum...
08/27/2026

TONIGHT! Clay Walker with BlackHawk and special guest Colton Dawson at Lauridsen Amphitheater, a part of teh Willis Summer Series presented by Willis Nissan.

Things to remember!!!!

Parking lots open: 3pm
Doors open: 5pm
Show starts: 6pm

:::EVENT ENTRY:::
Entry gates for this event will be on the NORTH side of the venue, along Grays Lake Drive. This location is where you will find Will Call and Box Office on Day of show.
ADA entry is at the southwest corner of the venue, south of the main entrance. This entrance is fully paved and accessible by wheelchair or other mobility devices.
By Car
General Parking is $15, ADA Parking is $15 and Premiere Parking is $25. Debit and credit cards accepted, no cash.
Prepay parking is available through ImClutch! Click here to pre-pay for parking: https://reserve.imclutch.com/waterworkspark

You may enter from any of the following entrances:
• Primary Entrance: George Flagg Pkwy from West Side
• Entrance 2 - Fleur Drive – Premiere Parking ONLY
• Entrance 3 - George Flagg Pkwy from Fleur Drive – ADA, Rideshare Drop off and Admin Building

Tailgating is prohibited in Lauridsen Amphitheater parking lots

Ride Share / Drop Off & Pick Up
Located at the Admin Building
Please use Entrance 3.
IMPORTANT – Willis Summer Series parking or Ride Share is not allowed in Gray's Lake Park. If you park at Gray's Lake Park, your vehicle will be subject to towing.

Bike Parking
Water Works Park offers Bike Parking on the southeast side of the Lauridsen Amphitheater by the Des Moines Biergarten. Bike Parking is not monitored. You are encouraged to lock your bike and secure all items. Des Moines Water Works is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Peak Traffic Times
Please be patient and allow for some extra time to arrive and exit during peak traffic times: between 4:00pm-7:30pm and after the performance. Parking lots will open at 3:00pm, so please consider coming early! Tailgating is NOT allowed in the parking lots

Save 20% on lawn tickets see see Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms with Spin Doctors at Lauridsen Amphitheater on Septembe...
08/27/2026

Save 20% on lawn tickets see see Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms with Spin Doctors at Lauridsen Amphitheater on September 10th, a part of the Willis Summer Series presented by Willis Nissan. Supplies are limited, offer ends 9/1. Don't miss out!

🎟️Ticket link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600642DAEB8A3FE

Coming to see Clay Walker and BlackHawk with special guest Colton Dawson at Lauridsen Amphitheater Thursday night, a par...
08/26/2026

Coming to see Clay Walker and BlackHawk with special guest Colton Dawson at Lauridsen Amphitheater Thursday night, a part of the Willis Summer Series presented by Willis Nissan?

🎟️Get your tickets now: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/06006479F20145FF

Some things to know!
Parking lots open: 3pm
Doors open: 5pm
Show starts: 6pm

All Willis Summer Shows presented by Willis Nissan are rain or shine.
Lauridsen Amphitheater is a cashless venue.

Lauridsen Amphitheater FAQ
Get answer to many of your questions Lauridsen Amphitheater and the Willis Summer Series here: https://www.waterworkspark.org/visit/

:::ALLOWED ITEMS:::
• 1 water bottle per person; must be disposable/crushable plastic (factory sealed or empty), 1 liter max in size, not frozen.
o Please note: for this event, no hard-plastic, glass, or metal water bottles will be allowed. Water refill stations are available inside the venue.
• Purses and f***y packs, max size 8.5" x 11". All bags and patrons are subject to search.
o Clear bags are highly encouraged for your speed and convenience at the gates
• Lawn Chairs
o Please note: lawn chairs may only be set up in the lawn area, in the rear portion of the venue. No lawn chairs in the Pit, sidewalks, or area directly in front of stage.
• Bug Spray and Sunscreen - NON-AEROSOL ONLY!
• Rain Ponchos
• Blankets

:::PROHIBITED ITEMS:::
• Non-clear bags larger than 8.5" x 11"
• Water bottles made of hard plastic, glass, or metal
• Camelbaks or similar hydration packs
• Umbrellas
• Outside food & beverage
• Coolers
• Professional cameras (any camera with a detachable lens, or lens that extends more than 1" from the body of the camera), Ipads & Go-Pros
• Binoculars
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives)
• Large chains or chain wallets
• Spiked bracelets or clothing
• Selfie Sticks & gimbals
• Baby Strollers or Wagons
• Hula Hoops
• Laser Pointers
• Glow Sticks
• Pets (except for service dogs trained to perform a task for patrons with disabilities; emotional support animals are not allowed.)
• Any object that can be used as a projectile
• Signs larger than 8.5"x11", or with sticks/frames attached
• Any object deemed to be unsafe by venue or artist

• Please note: for safety reasons, there will be zero tolerance for throwing objects/beverages from the crowd.

:::TICKETS:::
Your tickets are now available in your Ticketmaster account
Before arriving at the venue, be sure to log into your Ticketmaster account and tap My Events to access your tickets
We recommend adding your tickets to a mobile wallet so that you’ll always have your ticket on hand - even without internet connection.

:::EVENT ENTRY:::
Entry gates for this event will be on the NORTH side of the venue, along Grays Lake Drive. This location is where you will find Will Call and Box Office on Day of show.
ADA entry is at the southwest corner of the venue, south of the main entrance. This entrance is fully paved and accessible by wheelchair or other mobility devices.
By Car
General Parking is $15, ADA Parking is $15 and Premiere Parking is $25. Debit and credit cards accepted, no cash.
Prepay parking is available through ImClutch! Click here to pre-pay for parking: https://reserve.imclutch.com/waterworkspark

You may enter from any of the following entrances:
• Primary Entrance: George Flagg Pkwy from West Side
• Entrance 2 - Fleur Drive – Premiere Parking ONLY
• Entrance 3 - George Flagg Pkwy from Fleur Drive – ADA, Rideshare Drop off and Admin Building

Tailgating is prohibited in Lauridsen Amphitheater parking lots

Ride Share / Drop Off & Pick Up
Located at the Admin Building
Please use Entrance 3.
IMPORTANT – Willis Summer Series parking or Ride Share is not allowed in Gray's Lake Park. If you park at Gray's Lake Park, your vehicle will be subject to towing.

Bike Parking
Water Works Park offers Bike Parking on the southeast side of the Lauridsen Amphitheater by the Des Moines Biergarten. Bike Parking is not monitored. You are encouraged to lock your bike and secure all items. Des Moines Water Works is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.

Peak Traffic Times
Please be patient and allow for some extra time to arrive and exit during peak traffic times: between 4:00pm-7:30pm and after the performance. Parking lots will open at 3:00pm, so please consider coming early! Tailgating is NOT allowed in the parking lots

Counting down the days until Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms with Spin Doctors at Lauridsen Amphitheater on September 1...
08/24/2026

Counting down the days until Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms with Spin Doctors at Lauridsen Amphitheater on September 10th a part of the Willis Summer Series presented by Willis Nissan.

Get your tickets now: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0600642DAEB8A3FE

Join us today at the Des Moines Biergarten featuring Oreo Meatwagon from 1 to 4 pm.
08/23/2026

Join us today at the Des Moines Biergarten featuring Oreo Meatwagon from 1 to 4 pm.

This Sunday at the Water Works Park Beirgarten! Come out for a Sunday full of good vibes and great music! See you there!

Address

2251 George Flagg Pkwy
Des Moines, IA
50321

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 6am - 10pm
Wednesday 6am - 10pm
Thursday 6am - 10pm
Friday 6am - 10pm
Saturday 6am - 10pm
Sunday 6am - 10pm

Website

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