Parks and trails
Parks and trails near The Pines
Ankeny runs more than 40 parks and about 80 miles of trails, and three of central Iowa's marquee paved trails meet inside the city. The nearest park is about a mile away. Distances are by road from the front door.
Prairie Ridge Sports Complex
1.0 miles, next to Prairie Ridge Middle School. The complex covers about 133 acres, with ball fields, courts and walking loops. The Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center shares the site: the city's outdoor pool, with a zero-depth entry and water slides, open for the summer season. It is the closest place to swim, about a mile from the door.
The trail network in town
The High Trestle Trail starts 1.6 miles away at the Ankeny Market and Pavilion on West First Street. Two more paved trails, the Gay Lea Wilson and the Neal Smith, meet the High Trestle in Ankeny, tied together by the Oralabor Gateway connector, so from the near end you can ride a long way without leaving pavement. The High Trestle has a page of its own.
Saylorville Lake
6.1 miles. Saylorville is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake on the Des Moines River, with the paved Neal Smith Trail running along it up to Big Creek State Park. The Corps runs the boat ramps, the campgrounds and the Oak Grove swimming beach on the east side of the lake. It is the metro's close water for boating, fishing and a summer swim.
The homes run from 1,360 to 1,800 square feet across four plans, in two and three bedrooms, each with an attached garage, a washer and dryer in the home, central air and a gas fireplace. Live pricing for whatever is open is on the availability page.
Questions people ask
What parks are near The Pines?
Prairie Ridge Sports Complex is 1.0 miles away, with about 133 acres of ball fields, courts and walking loops. It is one of more than 40 parks the City of Ankeny runs.
How far is the High Trestle Trail from The Pines?
The trail head at the Ankeny Market and Pavilion is 1.6 miles by road. The Gay Lea Wilson and Neal Smith trails also meet the High Trestle in Ankeny.
Is there a public pool near The Pines?
The Prairie Ridge Aquatic Center, the City of Ankeny's outdoor pool, is beside the sports complex about 1.0 miles away, with a zero-depth entry and water slides for the summer season.
How far is Saylorville Lake?
Saylorville Lake is 6.1 miles away. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers runs it, with boat ramps, campgrounds, the Neal Smith Trail and the Oak Grove swimming beach.
Distances measured by road from our address using OpenStreetMap, September 2026. Park and trail facts from the City of Ankeny, Polk County Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, October 2026.
More about living here
- Moving to Ankeny, Iowa
- Schools near The Pines
- Groceries and everyday errands near The Pines
- Eating and drinking near The Pines
- Commuting from The Pines
- Things to do in Ankeny
- The High Trestle Trail, near The Pines
- Single-level homes at The Pines
- Maintenance-free living at The Pines
- The floor plans at The Pines, explained
- How to apply at The Pines
- Working from home at The Pines
- Pet-friendly townhomes in Ankeny
- What residents say about The Pines
- The neighborhood guide
- All questions