Des Moines Parks and Recreation

There's plenty of room for exercising or taking in a morning walk while enjoying a peaceful Seattle Southside visit. The Des Moines Creek Trail offers a nice connection between the south side of Seattle and the waterfront community of Des Moines. The paved trail begins just south of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on 188th Street and winds through a paved and wooded path of Des Moines Creek Park. The urban topography of blackberry vines and ivy-strangled trees brightens with sword ferns, bright green moss and lichen-daubed alder trees. As the path curves between forested hillsides, you can hear a cheerful, watery babble. The Des Moines Creek is a refreshing surprise, as each step bring you closer to what can only be described as akin to any lowland forest on this side of the Cascades. Here you will forget you are close to a major airport. Beautiful leaves in the fall and colorful flowers in the spring and summer combined with a lively creek with miniature waterfalls make this a peaceful nature escape. The park offers basic amenities, such as benches, picnic tables, and drinking fountains, as well as a network of mountain biking trails to explore. On the trail's southern end, enjoy a stroll over the water on the long pier. You can also continue your journey south on a shared-road bike route on Marine View Drive about 2 miles to Saltwater State Park, where you'll find sandy beaches, tide pools, and a scuba diving reef. Parking is available on the north end of the trail in Des Moines Creek Park (2151 S. 200th Street) and, on the south end of the trail, in Des Moines Beach Park (22030 Cliff Avenue South).


There's So Much To See on Des Moines Creek Trail in #SeattleSouthside


Take picturesque photos and experience a scenic view at the quaint Overlook II Park in Des Moines. The park overlooks the marina and south sound.
Wooton Park at Redondo and its accompanying amenities are open to the general public daily from 8:00am-dusk. Park amenities include half basketball court, a playground located near the north end of the park, lighted walkways, a large open grassy area for play, five uncovered picnic tables, a beautiful rose garden, and a large parking lot across Redondo Way. Public restrooms are located across Redondo Beach Drive, adjacent to the pier.
The Des Moines Field House and Park, the only full-log cabin in Washington State, was built in 1939 as part of a Depression-era recovery program. The House was designated as a King County Historic Landmark in 1984 and features the following park amenities: Ball fields Basketball court Picnic area Play area Recreation center Restrooms Skateboarding Tennis court

Big Catch Plaza was created as the result of the State Department of Transportation realignment 7th Place S. and S. 219th St. in the 1990s. Dedicated in 1994, the Big Catch statue is based upon a story of a beautiful maiden who was turned into a fish. After a kiss from the fisherman, she turns back into a maiden. The statue with a fisherman holding and kissing a voluptuous fish was a very controversial item when it was unveiled to the public. The statue was created by noted Seattle artist Richard Beyer.

Learn more about The Big Catch sculpture in Seattle Southside Scenes.


Pick your pleasure at the Des Moines Beach Park. Whether it's walking the trail, splashing in the water, or a picnic with a view, there's an outdoor experience for the old and young alike. Find a play area, natural area with trails, a walking path, creek, picnic area, a beach with scenic views and much more.


Come Experience the Beauty of Des Moines Beach Park in #SeattleSouthside


Activities are endless at Redondo Beach, Pier, Boat Launch, and Boardwalk! Explore the MaST Center, enjoy a gourmet lunch at Salty’s Redondo Beach Seafood Grill, walk the boardwalk, and stroll along the beach. The MaST Center is Highline College’s marine biology and aquarium facility, showcasing a hands-on aquarium and a 38-foot Gray Whale skeleton! Salty’s Seafood Grill is a hidden gem on Puget Sound, with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains & Maury Island. Its award-winning cuisine is made with the freshest ingredients available, and everything is prepared with style. It is well-known for its fabulous Sunday Brunch and was voted the best in the Nation by MSN-Citysearch.com. Adventure type? In the summer, rent a kayak or paddleboard from Olympic Outdoor Adventure Center right on the beach and cruise the waters. The small neighborhood of Redondo showcases tranquil waterfront homes designed to please the eye.


Lots to Do at Redondo Pier in #SeattleSouthside


Sound View Park Sound View Park – built on the lot that once housed the historic Van Gasken view home that was torn down in 2020 – is now open. “This unique space celebrates the history of the Des Moines region,” the city said in a statement. The city acquired the property by obtaining a $1+ million_ grant from the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). An additional $95,000 was received from the RCO in March, 2022, with an additional $275,000 coming from the city. The park is contiguous with Overlook II Park, and provides a gathering space with sweeping vistas of Puget Sound, Vashon Island, Maury Island, and the Olympic Mountains. The City collaborated with the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the RCO, and area Native American Tribes including Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and Snoqualmie, to incorporate artwork and native plantings into the design of the site. Additions are planned in the coming months. “Incorporating local, Tribal art will acknowledge this special land and enhance the recreation experience through a beautifully designed open space,” the city added. The park is now open for community enjoyment. In consultation with local Tribes, native plant species that held special meaning and purpose to the land in the area are included in the landscaping. Some species include: Sala Snowberry, Red Flowering Currant, Wild Onion, Wild Ginger, Black Gooseberry, Wild Strawberry Story Stones that tell Tribal legends are also included on the site. One of these tells the story of Lizard Woman, as translated by Muckleshoot Elder-Yikut: “There was? a boulder on the beach near Des Moines, known as White Rock. When the Snake People were going on an expedition to Vashon Island, Lizard Woman stayed behind and sunned herself on this rock. Accordingly, lizards are plentiful in this vicinity. “
Sound View Park – built on the lot that once housed the historic Van Gasken view home that was torn down in 2020 – is now open. The park is contiguous with Overlook II Park, and provides a gathering space with sweeping vistas of Puget Sound, Vashon Island, Maury Island, and the Olympic Mountains. The City collaborated with the State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the RCO, and area Native American Tribes including Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and Snoqualmie, to incorporate artwork and native plantings into the design of the site.
Mapped location of Des Moines Parks and Recreation
22030 Cliff Ave South Des Moines, Washington 98198
(206) 870-9370
Website

Event Spaces

Event Spaces

Barnes Creek Trail

  • Area: 0 square feet

Beach Park Auditorium

  • Occupancy: 35 - 400
  • Area: 4,500 square feet
  • Height: 30 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Beach Park Auditorium 400 4,500 sq ft
Banquet Beach Park Auditorium 360 4,500 sq ft
Reception Beach Park Auditorium 400 4,500 sq ft
Booths Beach Park Auditorium 35 4,500 sq ft

Beach Park Dining Hall

  • Occupancy: 15 - 175
  • Area: 1,200 square feet
  • Height: 25 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Beach Park Dining Hall 150 1,200 sq ft
Banquet Beach Park Dining Hall 150 1,200 sq ft
Reception Beach Park Dining Hall 175 1,200 sq ft
Booths Beach Park Dining Hall 15 1,200 sq ft

Beach Park Founders Lodge

  • Occupancy: 10 - 100
  • Area: 650 square feet
  • Height: 25 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Beach Park Founders Lodge 80 650 sq ft
Banquet Beach Park Founders Lodge 80 650 sq ft
Reception Beach Park Founders Lodge 100 650 sq ft
Booths Beach Park Founders Lodge 10 650 sq ft

Beach Park Meadow/Promontory

  • Occupancy: 1000 - 1000
  • Area: 4,000 square feet
  • Height: 25 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Beach Park Meadow/Promontory 1000 4,000 sq ft

Beach Park Picnic Shelter

  • Occupancy: 100 - 100
  • Area: 1,200 square feet
  • Height: 25 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Banquet Beach Park Picnic Shelter 100 1,200 sq ft
Reception Beach Park Picnic Shelter 100 1,200 sq ft

Big Catch Plaza

  • Area: 0 square feet

Cecil Powell Park

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Des Moines Activity Center

  • Occupancy: 120 - 120
  • Area: 2,750 square feet
  • Height: 30 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Des Moines Activity Center 120 2,750 sq ft
Banquet Des Moines Activity Center 120 2,750 sq ft
Reception Des Moines Activity Center 120 2,750 sq ft

Des Moines Creek Trail

  • Area: 0 square feet

Des Moines Field House

  • Occupancy: 30 - 250
  • Area: 4,650 square feet
  • Height: 30 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Des Moines Field House 225 4,650 sq ft
Banquet Des Moines Field House 225 4,650 sq ft
Reception Des Moines Field House 250 4,650 sq ft
Booths Des Moines Field House 30 4,650 sq ft

Des Moines Memorial Park

  • Area: 0 square feet

Dr. Shirley B Gordon Park

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Field House Park

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Kiddy City Park

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Midway Park

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Overlook I Park

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Overlook II Park

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Parkside Park

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Parkside Wetlands

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Sonju Park

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South 251st Street Park

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South Marina Park

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Steven J Underwood Memorial Park

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Water Tower Park

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Westwood Park

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Woodmont Park

  • Area: 0 square feet

Wooton Park at Redondo

  • Occupancy: 75 - 75
  • Area: 3,000 square feet
  • Height: 100 feet
Configuration Description Occupancy Area
Theater Wooton Park at Redondo 75 3,000 sq ft
Banquet Wooton Park at Redondo 75 3,000 sq ft
Reception Wooton Park at Redondo 75 3,000 sq ft

Zenith Park

  • Area: 0 square feet

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