The Johnston Brief
When the snow flies, Johnston doesn't shut down - it just moves outside in a coat. There are sledding hills at the parks, ice skating a short drive away, and a big indoor sports complex and the library for when it's just too much. Here's how to make an Iowa winter fun instead of endless.
Sled at the hills in Terra Park, Lew Clarkson Park, and neighborhood parks after a good snow. Johnston has no public rink of its own, but you can ice skate at metro rinks like the Brenton Skating Plaza downtown, about 15 to 20 minutes away. Too cold? Ignit, the indoor sports complex, and the Johnston Public Library (6700 Merle Hay Rd) keep you warm. Outdoor fun is weather-dependent - check conditions before you go.
Johnston doesn't officially designate one "sledding hill," so families head to the hills at Terra Park, Lew Clarkson Park, and the neighborhood parks after a good snow. Pick a slope that's well clear of streets, ponds, trees and fences, and follow any posted park rules - the safe run matters more than the biggest one. For the full park map, see our parks guide.
Johnston doesn't run its own public ice rink, but the metro has seasonal options a short drive away. The Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor rink in downtown Des Moines, is about 15 to 20 minutes from Johnston and typically opens for the winter season with public skate hours and rental skates. Because outdoor and seasonal rinks depend on the weather and the calendar, confirm current hours and open status before you load up the skates.
Ignit, Johnston's large indoor sports and fitness complex, has an indoor track, courts, and open-play options that make it a good energy-burner on a frozen day - check current hours and public-access times first. The Johnston Public Library (6700 Merle Hay Rd) runs free kids' and family programs all winter and is open late most weekdays. Add Johnston's coffee shops, breweries and restaurants and you've got a full cold-weather afternoon without freezing.
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Johnston doesn't officially designate a single sledding hill, so most families use the hills at Terra Park, Lew Clarkson Park, and neighborhood parks after a good snow. Always check that a hill is clear of streets, ponds, trees and fences before sledding, and follow any posted park rules.
Johnston does not run its own public ice rink, but the metro has seasonal options a short drive away, including the Brenton Skating Plaza outdoor rink in downtown Des Moines, about 15 to 20 minutes from Johnston. Rinks are weather- and season-dependent, so confirm current hours and open status before you go.
When it's too cold to be outside, Johnston's indoor options include Ignit, a large indoor sports and fitness complex with an indoor track and courts, and the Johnston Public Library at 6700 Merle Hay Road, which runs free family programs. Johnston's coffee shops and restaurants round out a warm afternoon.
The Johnston Public Library at 6700 Merle Hay Road is generally open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Hours can change around holidays, so confirm at johnstonlibrary.com before you go.