Parks and Nature

Saunders Park

This 60 acre park is located in the heart of the city next to the hospital. Facilities include the Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center, playground equipment, two shelter houses, two gazebos and a log cabin.

Saunders Park Dr
Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641

McMillan Park

This 40 acre park is home of The Old Threshers Reunion, Henry County Fair and many special events each year. Facilities include a shelter house, swing set, restrooms, dirt track, game fields and several large buildings which are available for rent.

Cranes Pond

Located on Courtland Street is this five acre park. Facilities include a shelter house, sledding hill, swings, benches and a two acre pond for fishing.

408 North Broadway Street
Mount Pleasant, IA 52641

Central Park

Located in the center of the downtown business district is this two acre park. Benches and open areas make this a very picnic friendly space, which also features the Edd King Memorial Fountain.

Mount Pleasant United Thru Playground

Constructed in 2002, the United Thru Play is an 18,000 square foot playground located near the downtown. The playground, built by community volunteers, includes wooden structures that mimic a pirate ship, tractor, castle with dragon, downtown shops, Igloo, Barn Yard, rocket ship, and more! A picnic area and restrooms are available near the play area.

401-449 W Madison St
Mt Pleasant, IA 52641

Oakland Mills Park

Oakland Mills Park is a multipurpose, 104 acre area with a variety of terrain including the Skunk River, an evergreen plantation, and deciduous forest. Hiking trails wind through the area, forming a classroom for environmental education. The park also features places to camp and fish.

2591 Nature Center Dr
Mt Pleasant, IA 52641

Mount Pleasant Aquatic Center

Located in Saunders Park, the Mount Pleasant Aquatic Center facility has something for everyone. They offer a six-lane 25-yard pool, 2 diving boards, fountain and water jets, 2 water slides, shade canopies, 17,000 square feet of deck, and 64,000 square feet of grassy area. The facility also offers swimming lessons for the beginner to the advanced swimmer. Classes and private lessons are available.

Mount Pleasant Recreational Trails

The Mount Pleasant Recreation Trails offer year-round activity opportunities for people of all ages. Wide, paved trails offer scenic routes for walking, running, or biking. Trail events are scheduled throughout the year. There are 4.2 miles of paved trail, which starts on Walnut Street, winds around the High School and ends at East Lake Park.

Crossroads Industrial Park Trail
Location – North Grand Avenue to Linden Drive

The Crossroads Industrial Park Trail will begin in the Grand Avenue Commercial District and travel through the Industrial Park and into the Crossroads Business Park. Prepped for development, several industrial or large commercial sites lie along this trail which has easy access to the U.S. Highway 34 and U.S. Highway 218/27 (The Avenue of the Saints). This trail will offer numerous amenities nearby, such as grocery stores, shopping and & restaurants.

East Lake Park Trail
Location – Linden Drive to South Grand Avenue including a loop through East Lake Park

East Lake Park facilities include playgrounds, tennis courts, a driving range, softball diamonds, soccer fields, horseshoe courts, 18-hole disc golf course, picnic tables, and a fishing pond. You can bike an entire loop around the East Lake Park facilities which is 1.55 miles (twice around for a 5K). Families flock to East Lake Park to walk, run and bike this pet friendly portion of our trails. This trail connects to the Mount Pleasant High School which makes this trail popular for all kinds of outdoor activities including cross country meets.

Midwest Old Threshers Trail
Location – South Grand Avenue at the High School to Iowa Avenue/249th Street

Upon leaving the East Lake Park Trail, you will bike through a beautiful residential area that links to Midwest Old Threshers. In its first 50 plus years, the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion has grown to be recognized as the largest event of its kind in the country. 35,000-40,000 people visit from every state in the union as well as numerous foreign countries during the 5-day event that traditionally ends on Labor Day. The original show was presented on the fairgrounds but has grown to cover more than 150 acres. These grounds are used year-round for events such as the Thrasher House of Terrors, Festival of Lights and much more.

Oakland Mills Trail
Location – 249th Street to Oakland Mills Road

Leave the paved trails as you transition on to a Share the Road segment of our trails. Oakland Mills Conservation Area is the headquarters for the Henry County Conservation Department. Oakland Mills was an unincorporated town along the banks of the Skunk River. Remnants of an old mill can still be found, and a train depot is now a riverside restaurant. Oakland Mills Park features the Oakland Mills Nature Center and Outdoor Classroom, two recreational cabins, three campgrounds, and a swinging bridge. Activities in Oakland Mills Park includes the Skunk River Water Trail, a self-guided nature trail and a smart trail (CODE Trail), a fishing pond, an 18-hole disc golf course, bocce ball court, and horseshoe pits.

West Park

West Park in Wayland is located on West Main street. This park boasts a full basketball court, baseball/softball field, the Lions Club Pavilion and an additional pavilion on top of the far west hill, several playground items, bandstand and public bathrooms.