Margo Frankel Woods

Margo Frankel Woods State Park is a tranquil 136-acre natural area located just north of Des Moines, Iowa's state capital. This small but significant park preserves a remnant of the deciduous forest ecosystem that once covered portions of central Iowa. Named in honor of Margo Frankel, who served on Iowa's Board of Conservation during the 1920s and 1930s, the park represents a legacy of early conservation efforts in the state. The terrain features rolling hills covered in mature hardwood forest, interspersed with grassy clearings and a small stream valley. Unlike larger state parks, Margo Frankel Woods maintains a quiet, contemplative atmosphere with minimal development, making it popular with local residents seeking a natural escape within the metropolitan area. The park offers hiking trails, picnic facilities, and excellent opportunities for nature observation, particularly during spring wildflower season when the forest floor comes alive with blooms.

The mature woodland habitat at Margo Frankel Woods supports a diverse community of wildlife adapted to central Iowa's forest ecosystems. White-tailed deer are commonly observed along trail edges and in forest clearings, particularly during early morning and evening hours. The park's bird community includes year-round residents such as blue jays, northern cardinals, white-breasted nuthatches, and various woodpecker species including downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers. During spring and fall migration, warblers, thrushes, and other neotropical migrants move through the forest canopy. Red-tailed hawks and Cooper's hawks hunt small mammals and birds in and around the park. Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels are abundant, while eastern chipmunks forage along the forest floor. The small stream supports amphibian populations including spring peepers, American toads, and various salamander species. Butterfly enthusiasts observe monarchs, swallowtails, and various skipper species visiting flowering plants from spring through fall.

Margo Frankel Woods preserves an excellent example of central Iowa's native deciduous forest ecosystem. The canopy is dominated by mature oaks, including white oak, red oak, and bur oak, along with hickory species, American basswood, and sugar maple. The understory contains younger trees including ironwood, redbud, and hackberry. The shrub layer includes native species such as gray dogwood, wild plum, and various viburnum species. The park is particularly renowned for its spring wildflower displays when the forest floor erupts with ephemeral species including wild ginger, mayapple, jack-in-the-pulpit, bloodroot, and Virginia bluebells. Trillium, hepatica, and Dutchman's breeches add additional color before the canopy fully leafs out. Summer brings shade-tolerant species including wild geranium, Solomon's seal, and various woodland asters. The grassy clearings contain prairie remnant species including big bluestem, Indian grass, and flowering plants such as purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan.

Margo Frankel Woods occupies terrain shaped by glacial activity during the Pleistocene epoch and subsequent erosion over approximately 500,000 years since the last glacial advance in this region. The rolling topography reflects the eroded landscape of the Southern Iowa Drift Plain, where older glacial deposits have been dissected by stream erosion into the characteristic hill-and-valley terrain. The underlying geology consists of glacial till deposited during the Pre-Illinoian glaciation, overlain by loess (wind-deposited silt) that accumulated during subsequent glacial periods. The small stream valley cutting through the park exposes these glacial sediments in places, revealing the layered deposits left by ancient ice sheets. Soil development over thousands of years has created the fertile forest soils that support the park's diverse woodland ecosystem. The elevation varies across the park, with hilltops offering slightly different microclimates and vegetation patterns compared to the cooler, moister valley bottoms.

Margo Frankel Woods experiences the humid continental climate characteristic of central Iowa, with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with July temperatures averaging highs around 86 degrees Fahrenheit and lows near 66 degrees. The mature forest canopy provides significant cooling, making summer hikes considerably more comfortable than in open areas. Winters are cold, with January temperatures averaging highs around 31 degrees Fahrenheit and lows near 14 degrees. Annual precipitation averages approximately 36 inches, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year but with slightly higher amounts during spring and early summer. Snowfall averages about 33 inches annually. Spring arrives gradually from March through May, bringing the wildflower season that draws many visitors. Autumn offers spectacular fall color as the oaks, maples, and hickories change, typically peaking in mid to late October. Thunderstorms are common during warm months, occasionally bringing severe weather.

The land now comprising Margo Frankel Woods was part of the vast deciduous forest that once extended across portions of central Iowa before European American settlement. Indigenous peoples, including the Meskwaki and Ioway nations, utilized similar forest areas for hunting, gathering, and seasonal camps for thousands of years before displacement in the 19th century. Following statehood in 1846, most of Iowa's forests were cleared for agriculture, making remnant woodlands like this one increasingly rare. The Frankel family, prominent in Des Moines society and civic affairs, acquired the property in the early 20th century. Margo Frankel demonstrated an early commitment to conservation, serving on Iowa's Board of Conservation during the formative period of the state park system in the late 1920s and 1930s. Her advocacy helped shape policies that would preserve natural areas across the state, and this woodland stands as a living memorial to her conservation legacy.

Following Margo Frankel's death in 1948, the Frankel family donated the initial tract of woodland to the state, naming it in her memory. The family subsequently donated two additional parcels totaling approximately 32 acres, expanding the protected area. For decades, the Des Moines Founders Garden Club has played a crucial role in the park's stewardship, donating time and resources to maintain trails and protect the park's ecological integrity. The club has also advocated for the park's protection during various development proposals that have threatened its boundaries. When budgetary constraints forced the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to explore alternative management arrangements, Saylor Township Trustees assumed responsibility for day-to-day park maintenance and operations. This partnership ensures continued public access while reducing state expenditures. The park remains classified as a state park within the Iowa DNR system, preserving its status as protected public land while benefiting from local stewardship.

Margo Frankel Woods offers a modest but rewarding trail system winding through its forested terrain. The main trail, the Margo Frankel Trail, extends approximately 2 miles through the park with an elevation gain of about 246 feet, providing moderate hiking through varied terrain. The trail surface alternates between crushed gravel and mowed grass paths, with some sections requiring negotiation of natural obstacles. A particularly popular section descends to a small stream where visitors can explore the riparian environment and observe aquatic life. Two playground areas cater to families with young children, with the second playground accessible via a stairway trail segment. The spring wildflower season, typically April through May, represents the park's premier attraction, drawing botanists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts to observe the ephemeral forest floor species. The rolling terrain and mature forest provide an excellent setting for bird watching, particularly during spring and fall migration periods.

Margo Frankel Woods State Park offers basic facilities designed to support day-use visitation. A parking area provides access to the trail system, with pit toilets located nearby. A picnic shelter accommodates groups for outdoor gatherings. Two playground areas serve families with children. Camping is not permitted within the park. Dogs must remain on leash at all times to protect wildlife and other visitors. The park is located in northwest Des Moines, easily accessible from Interstate 80 via the Merle Hay Road exit. Urban development surrounds the park on most sides, making it a convenient natural escape for Des Moines metropolitan area residents. The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk. No entrance fee is charged. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear as some trail sections can become muddy after rain. The nearest full services, including restaurants, gas stations, and hotels, are available within minutes along Merle Hay Road and in surrounding commercial areas.

Conservation at Margo Frankel Woods focuses on preserving the remnant deciduous forest ecosystem that represents a vanishing Iowa landscape. Less than 10 percent of Iowa's original forest cover remains, making protected woodlands like this one ecologically significant. The Des Moines Founders Garden Club has been instrumental in conservation efforts, conducting invasive species removal to protect native plant communities from aggressive non-native species including bush honeysuckle and garlic mustard. Trail maintenance prevents erosion and limits damage to the forest floor. The park's natural areas provide habitat connectivity for wildlife in an increasingly urbanized landscape, serving as stepping stones for bird migration and maintaining populations of forest-dependent species. Educational programming, when available, helps visitors understand the ecological value of native woodlands and their role in conservation. The park's small size makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects from surrounding development, requiring ongoing vigilance to maintain ecosystem health and biodiversity.