HomeIowaOttumwa › Memorial Park

Memorial Park

4.4 ★★★★☆ 172 Google reviews · Running trail in Ottumwa, Iowa · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Memorial Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedOpen 24hRestroomsTrailhead parking

Relaxed recreation spot with a Frisbee golf course as well as playground equipment and picnic tables.

What runners say about Memorial Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (172 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Great place to stop on a road trip, bathrooms were clean, kids loved the park and there was a nice shady spot to have a picnic.”

My children love the older play equipment here at Memorial Park. Park is well kept and has many things to do. Walking/mounting biking trails, disc golf..

★★★★★ — Melissa , Jul 2020

There are 5 miles of well-marked mountain bike trails. Incredibly fun!

★★★★★ — Jim , Oct 2021

My younger kids loved it. Playground kept them entertained, swings and spinning swing too. Has options for baby swings. Loved running up and down the hill. Ended up playing with sand once they got their energy out. Public fountain and restrooms missed.

★★★★☆ — Sierra , Mar 2026

Love the side park for babies and the area w the picnic tables/shelter for groups of larger/older kids. Great trails for big kids/grown ups. Frisbee gold course across all the areas.

★★★★☆ — Tena , Apr 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 172 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🚻 Restrooms 4 mentions

“Great place to stop on a road trip, bathrooms were clean, kids loved the park and there was a nice shady spot to have a picnic.”

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🛣️ Paved surface

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Memorial Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitecityofottumwa.com
  • Phone+1 641-682-7873
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Memorial Park

1800 N Elm St, Ottumwa, IA 52501

Get directions

Running trails near Ottumwa

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Wildwood Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 371 reviews

Ottumwa, IA

MixedScenic

Sprawling park with basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, disc golf and sledding hills. Trails offer hiking.

3.5 miles away

Garrison Rock Resource Management Unit

4.4 ★★★★☆ 71 reviews

Ottumwa, IA

Scenic

Nature preserve with open fields surrounded by forest and trails, some good for kids.

3.8 miles away

Rock Bluff Park

3.8 ★★★★☆ 42 reviews

Ottumwa, IA

Scenic

4.4 miles away

Quercus Wilderness Area

4.5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews

Oskaloosa, IA

LoopPaved

17.9 miles away

Lake Keomah State Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 337 reviews

Keomah Village, IA

Scenic

Relaxed, kid-friendly spot with camping, hiking trails and lake fishing, plus beaches.

19.1 miles away

Caldwell Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Oskaloosa, IA

21.2 miles away

All running trails in Ottumwa, IA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.