Parks and trails
Parks and trails near The Oaks
The Oaks is unusually close to green space. The nearest park is on the same street, the city's largest park is a mile and a half off, and the metro's zoo is closer than it is to most of the south side.
Fort Des Moines Park
1.3 miles south, on SE 5th Street itself. Fort Des Moines Park is run by Polk County Conservation on the grounds of a former cavalry post. It wraps a pond with a trail, a tree arboretum and open ground for a walk or a picnic. Because it is on your street, it is the easiest green space to reach from The Oaks; Polk County Conservation sets the hours and rules.
Ewing Park
1.7 miles southeast. Ewing Park is the City of Des Moines' largest park, known for its lilac arboretum and its wooded drives, with disc golf, a dog park and off-road bike trails. Hours are the city's call and are posted at the park entrance.
Blank Park Zoo
1.8 miles west, at 7401 SW 9th Street. Blank Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and runs on City of Des Moines parkland through the nonprofit Blank Park Zoo Foundation. From The Oaks it is close enough to be a regular outing rather than a trip. The Oaks is renovated one- and two-bedroom apartments, one bath, with a new kitchen, a redone bath, new flooring and fresh paint, and a stove and refrigerator in every home; select homes add a washer and dryer in the unit. Live pricing is on the availability page.
Questions people ask
What parks are near The Oaks?
Fort Des Moines Park (1.3 miles, on SE 5th Street), Ewing Park (1.7 miles) and Blank Park Zoo (1.8 miles), all by road.
Is there a park within walking distance of The Oaks?
Fort Des Moines Park is 1.3 miles south on the same street, SE 5th. It is the closest green space, run by Polk County Conservation.
How far is Blank Park Zoo from The Oaks?
About 1.8 miles west, at 7401 SW 9th Street. The zoo holds Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation.
Who runs Fort Des Moines Park?
Polk County Conservation. It sits on the grounds of a former cavalry post and wraps a pond with a trail and an arboretum.
Distances are road miles from 6209 SE 5th Street, measured with OpenStreetMap routing in October 2026. The Oaks keeps no distance module of its own, so the route planner is the source. Park facts from Polk County Conservation, the City of Des Moines and Blank Park Zoo, October 2026.
More about living here
- Living in South Park, south Des Moines
- Shopping at Southridge, near The Oaks
- Army Post Road, the corridor near The Oaks
- Groceries and everyday errands near The Oaks
- Eating and drinking near The Oaks
- Getting into the city from The Oaks
- Schools near The Oaks
- Garages you can rent at The Oaks
- The commons at The Oaks
- The floor plans at The Oaks, explained
- How to apply at The Oaks
- Working from home at The Oaks
- What residents say about The Oaks
- The neighborhood guide
- All questions