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Terra Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 255 Google reviews · Running trail in Johnston, Iowa · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- 45 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Terra 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.
Lakefront park with a playground, picnic shelters, and paved trail, plus fishing and kayaking.
What runners say about Terra Park
“It's a good place to relax and enjoy nature, there's usually not much people and the lake is beautiful.”
Perfectly designed park. I can’t think of a more perfect park in the entire metro area. If you can find another one better than this, please let me know. Perfectly manicured trails, native prairie, grasses, and flowers. Wildlife such as ducks and geese. Frogs. Good fishing at the well stocked lake.
Absolutely lovely. Multiple shelter houses. Multiple porta potties. Three areas for kids to play. They have handicapped swings, infant swings and regular swings. They also have a lot of climbers for various ages. A lake that you can fish from that also has a little man made waterfall.
I absolutely adore Terra Park! I grew up down the street from Terra Park and spent most of my childhood here. I am extremely impressed with the improvements the city has made to renovate the park, and am jealous of everyone who gets to use it now!
It was very nice. It's a good place to relax and enjoy nature, there's usually not much people and the lake is beautiful. It's very glittery under the sun and the park also has walking trails for walking. The park has a playground and multiple places to sit and is quite big compared to other parks.
Trail conditions & character
“It's a good place to relax and enjoy nature, there's usually not much people and the lake is beautiful.”
“However, the restroom facilities are currently not up to standard.”
“My only complaint is that there is no sidewalk on Pioneer Parkway to get there easily with a stroller.”
Plan your run at Terra Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- Distance45 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitecityofjohnston.com
- Phone+1 515-727-8091
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–8 pm |
Running trails near Johnston
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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