Get Moving: Ankeny Parks Host Hundreds at All-City Play Day

Clear skies and comfortable temperatures drew hundreds of Ankeny kids to do rock climbing, play tennis and pickle ball, shoot hoops and just play.

Wednesday was a celebration at Hawkeye and Wagner Parks for the All-City Play Day.

Activities included bean bag games, drawing on the sidewalk, throwing balls at a dunk tank, and water fights.

Chaz Lane, a Northwest Bank employee, helped with the event for the second year and said this year had a great turnout.

“It’s a great, huge crowd,” Lane said. “It’s all about fun. It’s a good time to play and every year it grows.”

In addition to the activities, Ankeny middle school to elementary school aged girls from the Ankeny Parks and Rec group danced.

Kaylie Rozenboom of Ankeny was one of the dancers. “It was a lot of fun,” Kaylie said of the routine, which she worked on for about six weeks. “I like to perform with my friends.”

The evening drew several generations of families to Hawkeye and Wagner Parks. Riley Dezick of Ankeny named tennis as her favorite activity.

“It’s a fun place to be with you family and have fun,” Dezick said.

Bonnie Ballard, a longtime resident of Ankeny, was there with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter.

“I think it’s fun and a great thing to do for the kids,” Ballard said. “I attend most all of Ankeny’s events.”

This is the sixth year for All-City Play Day.

“It’s really cool we are helping people have fun this summer,” Lane said.