Iowa's Walking Club promotes physical fitness through non-competitive sporting events. Our events are designed to help community members have fun, become fit, and make friends. We hope you'll join us!
Inclement weather policy: Generally, we do not cancel based on weather forecasts except in the case of temperatures below freezing (32 degrees). To check for cancellations, see our Facebook or MeetUp pages.
COVID precautions: Use your own judgment regarding the risks associated with our outdoor walks.
WEEKDAY WALKS
Free, not sanctioned
Walking Week 2023
April is just around the corner!! With April comes our return to outdoor walking on our weekday walks. We kick off this return to the great outdoors with National Walking Week, April 1 – 7. This year we again have an incredible slate of walks planned to kick off our weekday walking season. There are a couple of new walks this year; you won’t want to miss the Marshalltown walk and art center tour! Also included are some fan favorites, including the Riverwalk with lunch at the Botanical Gardens as our wrap-up on Friday, April 7! As in past years, there will be prizes!! Plan now to enjoy the fun!!
Questions, please contact Susan Pinneke at either 515-423-8437 or susanpinneke@gmail.com.
Saturday, April 1, 10:00AM: Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Ave, Ames - Meet at the shelter off Highway 69 and enjoy some lovely trails around the lake and neighborhood.
Sunday, April 2, 2:00PM: Lew Clarkson Park, 7501 NW 54th Ave, Johnston – Meet at the front parking lot at Lew Clarkson Park. Our walk will lead us through the Beaver Creek Natural Resources Area in Johnston on hard surface trails.
Monday, April 3, 6:00PM: Gray’s Lake, 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines - Meet in the SE parking lot for a stroll around the lake. We may cross under Fleur Drive for a jaunt into Waterworks Park.
Tuesday, April 4, 10:00AM: Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA, 108 Washington Street, Marshalltown – Meet in the lobby of the Y and walk along the bike path to the new Marshalltown Arts & Culture Center where a guided docent tour of the Fisher Gallery has been arranged for us. The gallery houses an outstanding collection of original well-known impressionist paintings & impressive ceramics.
Wednesday, April 5, 1:30PM: Grandview Park Walk, 3230 Easton Blvd, Des Moines – Meet in the small parking lot on E. 32nd Street INSIDE the park (NOT the lot on the corner of E. 33rd and Easton Blvd). From Easton, turn into the park on E. 32nd Street. From Hubbell Avenue, head east on Guthrie Avenue and turn left onto E. 32nd Street. Additional parking is available along Guthrie if needed. Join us for a relaxed walk through a beautifully wooded city park and a nearby neighborhood of interesting homes. There will be a few significant hills on this walk, but we’re not in a hurry, so we can take it easy.
Thursday, April 6, 1:30PM: Waterworks Park, 4343 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines - Meet in the Isaac Walton parking lot and explore Waterworks Park. We will be walking with George.
Friday, April 7, 10:30AM: Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, 909 Robert Ray Dr, Des Moines – Meet in the parking lot for this stroll along the Des Moines River. This downtown 3K (2 miles) walk will take us across the river on two pedestrian bridges and past multiple outdoor art pieces. Great way to see all the recent changes, such as the new skate park and East Village housing. Join other walkers afterward for a lovely lunch at Trellis at the Botanical Garden.
Monthly Meetings
We meet on the third Monday of the month at 6:30PM for a brief business meeting.
From Nov to Mar, we meet via Zoom. Contact ronkdr@mchsi.com to get the link.
From Apr to Sep, weather permitting, we meet outside at the location published in the newsletter and on this website. Bring a chair, bug spray, and water. We practice social distancing to protect our health.
Membership
Members receive reminders and notices of upcoming events.
Memberships are for 12 months from Jan 1 to Dec 31. From Aug 31-Dec 31, you automatically are registered for the following year.