Let’s stroll at Ewing Park. Meet by 10:00 a.m. in the Ashley Okland Star Playground parking lot on south side of McKinley, just west of Indianola Avenue.
We’ll cross over the soapbox derby track, and take the gentle hike up Trail 1 and come down Trail 2. This will be about 1.9 miles.
If the dirt is muddy, we will stick to paved and grass trails. If things are really wet, we’ll stick to the paved trails. Regardless, we will walk slowly, think “stroll,” and no one will be left behind.
Ewing trails are hilly. Most of the route is dirt singletrack, punctuated with roots and rocks and other features. Hiking poles will be very useful for getting over features, but not a necessity. I will have some to share.
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I lead group walks on different trails in the Des Moines area a few times a month. This free Soft Trail Stroll series is designed to help people looking for a simple way to become more active, and to increase appreciation of our local soft trails.
What is a soft trail? Simply, it is an unpaved trail. Its surface may be dirt, grass, or crushed rock/gravel. I am an avid mountain biker and know all these trails very well. I can guarantee that no one will get lost!
This Soft Trail Stroll event is also part of the Fall 2026 Couch to 5K Walking Program.
The program kicks off Wednesday, October 7 with a Healthiest State Annual Walk and Q&A session. Week One begins Monday, October 12. The program concludes the weekend of December 12 with a 3.1 mile hike or indoor walk depending on the weather.
