Hickory Ridge Trail, Jester Park, Iowa

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, birding, geocaching, camping LENGTH OF HIKE: 1.5 miles OUT AND BACK OR LOOP: Out and back DIFFICULTY OF TERRAIN: Moderate ELEVATION GAIN: Minimal PARKING FEE/PASS: No TOILETS: Yes CHANGING TABLE: No NURSING BENCHES: Yes DOGS ALLOWED: Yes BIKES/HORSES/MOTORS ON TRAIL: No CELL RECEPTION: Yes There’s also a great water feature (bring swim gear and water shoes!), sand pit, wood blocks, and other perfect toddler things to explore throughout the park. The hike is a short out and back if you turn around at the creek crossing. Stop here, pause, and explore, depending on the time of year. If you cross the creek, the trail continues. But with walking toddlers, this might be a good turnaround point, which makes the hike 1.5 miles total. There is some minimal elevation on this hike, but little walkers can do fine for most portions of it. This trail is allterrain stroller-friendly, but be mindful that there are stairs at the beginning of the hike and loose gravel on another section. To access the trailhead from the Natural Playscape, you have to cross the park road. It’s not a busy road, but if you have kids who run ahead, just be aware of this. May and June are the best times to visit for the wildflowers and mild weather (no mosquitoes yet!), and September and October are best for cooler temps, fall colors, and less mosquitoes. If you get “bugged” easily, avoid this park in the summer months or have your spray handy at all times. At least you won’t melt from the summer sun, because the hike is almost all shaded —perfect for hot-weather hiking. While we want to get you on trail, it’s hard not to mention the Natural Playscape because it’s so much fun for kids! There are also some benches there for nursing. There are a few hidden surprises along the trail that kids love to find—a teepee-like structure made out of sticks and a few other gems. The Discovery Pond just up the road from the Natural Playscape is also worth a stop for more exploration. Bring water nets and see what you can find—snails, frogs, fish, and bugs galore! Speaking of wildlife, the Hickory Ridge Trail is also where the bison and elk exhibits are located. If the animals are nearby, take some time to watch them graze on the prairie grasses as they slowly amble through the landscape. But that’s not all that you’ll find here. Once a year, a huge migration of 3,000 to 8,000 American white pelicans stop off here in late August as they migrate for the winter. There are no park rangers, but Polk County Conservation owns the park, and they do a ton of family-friendly activities throughout the year at this location. There is also a new Nature Center which opened 22 Feb 2021. http://www.jesterparknaturecenter.com/plan-your-visit/things-to-do/ There is an equestrian center at the park for year-round horseback riding, snowshoe rentals in the winter, and other fun seasonal activities. INSIDER’S TIP: There is a back entrance to the park that brings you directly to the Playscape, so you can avoid the long, winding main road all through the park (which takes forever, but is beautiful!). At the main intersection of NW 120th Ave. and NW 128th St., you would normally turn right to get to the main entrance of the park. Instead, turn left and follow NW 128th St. all the way until it ends, then turn right to enter the park from the back entrance. The Playscape will be on your right after you turn the first corner.