Park Division

The mission of the City of De Soto Parks and Recreation is to enhance the quality of life in the town by providing the best possible recreational facilities, open natural spaces and programs for its citizens.

The City Public Works Department oversees and manages more than 56 acres of parks, recreational facilities for the general public.  The City parks and recreation system includes ten park sites, including general parkland, sports fields and courts, picnic facilities, natural resource areas and related support facilities.

A gazebo is used to accommodate multiple users for small events and additional pavilions are located throughout the park. All pavilions are lighted which extends the usability after sunset.

These facilities provide valuable recreation resources for the residents of De Soto and surrounding community.

This park host a tree museum that displays trees traceable to over 50 historic figures and events in history. A path meanders through the museum facilitating defined access for users.

Walthers Park is the largest park in De Soto parks system. Covering 18 acres of land adjacent to Joachim Creek, this park supports a variety of activities such as:

• Two Sand Volleyball Courts
• One and a Half Basketball Court
• One Baseball Field
• Four Play Ground Areas
• Joachim Creek Fishing Area
• Gazebo for Hosting Events
• Walking Trial
• One Soccer Field

The area between Walther Park and Joachim Creek forms a greenway along the creek that varies in size. Benches placed along the stream allow passive observation of the stream and of users interacting with it.
Many walkers and joggers utilized the park road as a 1.3 mile exercise loop. Amenities such as restrooms, benches, and outdoor grills compliment the activities within the park.

Parking is plentiful along the roadway that travels through the site and in the parking lot at the southern end of the park. Within the park, mature trees provide an ample amount of shade for playgrounds, and outdoor picnicking.  A recent row of trees has been planted along  Joachim creek that, upon maturity, will provide overhead enclosure along the stream.

                                                           
Walther Park is another part of a grant that was received for major park improvements. Our City personnel has installed the rubber mulch at all of the play areas to help prevent injuries from falls, in addition personnel has installed sidewalks and accessible ramps to play areas, sand volley ball courts, and the gazebo which will allow handicap accessibility for everyone.