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
Note: these are good weather walks, if it’s raining, we won’t walk.
Wednesday, May 24, 6PM – Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Ave, Des Moines. We’ll meet at the parking lot just inside the entrance and stroll around this historic Des Moines cemetery.
For more information contact Susan Pinneke at susanpinneke@gmail.com or 515-423-8437 (call or text).
Wednesday, May 24, 6PM – Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Ave, Des Moines. We’ll meet at the parking lot just inside the entrance and stroll around this historic Des Moines cemetery.
Friday, June 2, 10AM – Urbandale Trails. Start/finish at McDivitt Cemetery, 7001 Meredith Dr, Urbandale. Park along either side of 70th Street. We will walk west on Meredith Dr to meander through the residential area on city streets until we get to a section of the Urbandale Trail System. The walk will be approximately 2.5 miles.
Tuesday, June 6, 6PM – Des Moines Botanical Gardens, 909 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines. We’ll rally in the parking lot and head north along the trail following the Des Moines River to Birdland.
Friday, June 16 – 10:30AM – Annett Nature Center,15565 118th Ave, Indianola. The Annett Nature Center is 160 acres including ponds & wetlands. The mowed grass and crushed rock trail winds through prairie and wooded areas. There is an osprey observation tower and pollinator gardens. The Nature Center features a variety of interpretive exhibits. Bring your lunch, after our walk we will enjoy a picnic at one of the shelters.
Wednesday, June 21 – 6PM – Bill Riley Trail, 101 SW 45th Street, Des Moines. We’ll meet in the Ashworth Pool parking lot and walk the trail to waterworks park.
Tuesday, June 27 – 2PM – Brown’s Woods, 465 Brown’s Woods Dr, West Des Moines. We’ll meet in the parking lot and head out to explore the park’s nature trails for an enjoyable afternoon walk. You might want your binoculars for the abundant bird life. Spring ephemerals may be in blook on the forest floor. Bring a walking stick or poles if you use them. After, let’s plan on stopping at The Big Acai in Valley Junction (117 5th St.) for a yummy treat and conversation.
Save the date, July 11, for a special July weekday walk. We will be walking at the Iowa state fairgrounds, with a special group tour of the fair museum just for us. See the next newsletter for details.
For more information contact Susan Pinneke at susanpinneke@gmail.com or 515-423-8437 (call or text).
New! Bikes and Water
Trying a new activity should be on everyone’s to-do list, so here's a couple new ones! For more information contact Susan Pinneke at susanpinneke@gmail.com or 515-423-8437 (call or text).
Weekday Bike
Tuesday, June 20 – 5:30PM – High Trestle Trail, Madrid. We’ll meet at the trailhead right off Highway 17 by the Flat Tire Lounge, 304 S Madison Street, Madrid. This is a rails to trail trail, so nice and flat. Come join us for a leisurely ride along a favorite trail.
Current Walking
Thursday, June 29 – 5:30 to 6:30PM – Valley View Aquatic Center, 225 81st Street, West Des Moines.
Current walking is walking the lazy river From 5:30 to 6:30 PM, the pool closes to regular activity. Only adult current
walking and lap swimming is allowed. The water is about chest deep and it is moving, some of the jets
are on. You can walk with the current (that’s me) or for a super work out, against it. There is a $4
admission fee to the pool.
We will probably eat out after, either pizza or tacos.
Chuck Wagon Days in Adair Sat, June 24, 10AM
Join Iowa's Walking Club in Adair, Iowa, for a 5K group walk and a chance to remember charter club member Bonnie Christensen. Registration will begin at 9:30 am at Adair City Park. The walk is being held in conjunction with Adair's annual Chuck Wagon Days, and the park will be hosting multiple events.
The park's main entrance will be closed. From I-80 Exit 76, head north on 5th Street (White Pole Road) past the main park entrance. Continue north on 5th Street and take the next right (Stuart Street), then turn right at 4th Street to enter the park.
Look for the blue and white Iowa's Walking Club banner. Restrooms and parking are available in the park.
The walk will begin promptly at 10:00 to avoid conflict with the Chuck Wagon Days Parade that begins at 10:30 and passes by the park. The walk will pass by an honor roll of Adair veterans who served in WWII, through residential areas, venturing briefly into Guthrie County and through downtown, past City Hall, and past the Methodist Church where Bonnie was a member and sang in the choir.
Chuck Wagon Days events beyond the parade have not been finalized but may include a Saturday morning pancake breakfast at the park from 7 to 9:30, food trucks in the park from 12 noon to 2 p.m., a beer garden and lunch starting at 10:30 at the fire station, and perhaps a car show. Adair is also home to Iowa's 2016 Beef Producers Best Burger at the Chuck Wagon Cafe, located near the I-80 entrance/exit.
Monthly Meetings
We meet on the third Monday of the month at 6:30PM for a brief business meeting.
From Apr to Sep, weather permitting, we meet outside at American Legion Park in Valley Junction, 301 Vine St, West Des Moines, IA 50265. Bring a chair, bug spray, and water.
From Nov to Mar, we meet via Zoom. Contact ronkdr@mchsi.com to get the link.