Sleepy Hollow Sports Park is a Des Moines institution, offering winter recreation for those who want to go skiing and tubing without heading to one of the big ski resorts. During the warmer months, it becomes an event facility, hosting a popular renaissance faire as well as offering opportunities for water recreation. But this year, the fun stopped at Sleepy Hollow. Don’t worry, it hasn’t gone out of business – it’s been acquired by Polk County to be transformed into a new park in Iowa. Sleepy Hollow under new management will still offer all the winter fun you’ve come to expect, but it’ll be coming with some amazing new features that will transform it into more of a year-round recreation destination. The transformation is underway, and winter 2023 in Des Moines is going to be incredible.

The lights at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park have dimmed for now - but not for long, as the park will soon be up and running again.
Janneth Ospina/Google Local
The recreation center was one of Iowa's top places for affordable winter fun including skiing and tubing.
Traves Hartman/Google Local
During the summer, its central pond was home to a very different kind of tubing - and it stayed active all year round.
Melissa Coleman/Google Local

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It was also home to a popular renaissance faire - but now it's been acquired by Polk County, and will reopen as a state park will all the classic fun and some amazing new features.
Sloan Galvan/Google Local
It's being turned into a full-service campground, adding much-needed camping capacity to the Des Moines metro area.
Ildiko Scott/Google Local
The central pond will become an ice skating rink in the winter, adding another option for skaters along with the popular Brenton Skating Plaza in the city.
Brenton Skating Plaza/Google Local
The ski lodge will also get a major makeover, and other features will be announced as the opening gets closer. The future of Sleepy Hollow Sports Park looks brighter than ever.
Janneth Ospina/Google Local

Are you excited for the new Sleepy Hollow Sports Park to open as a state park? Let us know what you’re looking forward to at this new park in Iowa in the comments section. If you want to keep up with the latest updates, you can visit the official website as it gets up and running. For another Iowa park with a great secret, check out this hidden natural wonder.

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Sleepy Hollow Sports Park, 4051 Dean Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317, USA