F.W. Kent Park is located west of Iowa City, Iowa. Directions: take US-6 about 4.5 miles west of I-380 and look for the park on the right side of the road. Parking is free with several trailheads and numerous locations with restrooms. In warm weather, activities in the park include walking, hiking, running, biking, and fishing. In cold weather, the trails are open for cross country skiing. Cell phone service was strong for me in the park.
On our first visit, my wife ran on the trails while my kids and I played at the playground. Afterwards, we walked 1.5 miles around the lake.
The trail around the lake is gently sloping with smooth gravel. We had our infant in a stroller while our four year walked.
We saw people fishing at the water’s edge. In addition, the trail is wide enough for walkers, runners, and cyclists to comfortably share it.
The southeastern corner of the lake includes a beach, which was closed on our October visit.
The playground at F.W. Kent Park is really nice. It has several tall and fast slides along with a full swing set. What’s more, it is made from recycled and recyclable materials. It is easy to get lost on the park roads so find the playground by following signs for Blue Bird pavilion.
In sum, F.W. Kent Park is a beautiful place to visit with lots of things to do. Check out my list of hiking trails near Iowa Cityfor more fun places to explore.
Two Knobby Tires 