Get to Know: Windsor Heights
Windsor Heights is a prime location in Greater Des Moines (DSM), perfectly nestled between its larger neighboring cities of Clive, Des Moines, Urbandale and West Des Moines and a quick drive to Downtown DSM along I-235. It’s easy to support local businesses in Windsor Heights, with unique items from Skippy Fantastic’s Pop-Culture Emporium and dining options like Kathmandu Restaurant. Host to annual events including Movies in the Park and Windsor Wonderland, Colby Park is also home to the Windsor Heights Community and Events Center and the outdoor Pavilion as well as a 10-dock BCycle station near the butterfly gardens. Not only that, Colby Park is accessible using the Walnut Creek Trail, which connects to the Clive Greenbelt Trail, Bill Riley Trail and several others — creating miles of walking, running and biking opportunities from Windsor Heights to Urbandale, West Des Moines and Downtown DSM. Homes in Windsor Heights provide historical and vintage charm, where unique architecture ranging from Spanish-style, Craftsman and ivy-clad brick cottage homes to midcentury modern and one-story ranch homes are easily visible with a quick stroll through the area’s neighborhoods. Additionally, Windsor Heights is where Cowles Elementary School is located — Iowa’s longest-running public Montessori school, which serves pre-K through 8th grade students.
Windsor Heights at a Glance
Windsor Heights in one sentence: Windsor Heights is a small city in the heart of DSM, where access to educational institutions, Downtown DSM and nearby amenities is unmatched.
The top five best things about Windsor Heights: At the top of the list is a strong sense of community. Windsor Heights is near Drake University, a top Midwest private university. Visit Colby Park, Windsor Heights’ largest outdoor space where the entire family can play. Ongoing developments in the area continue to provide growth and attract young professionals, families and long-term residents. Windsor Heights leadership maintains an open dialogue with residents, making it easy to share ideas and shape the city's future. Housing is also affordable and full of historic charm, contributing to a high quality of life.
Hidden gems and unexpected finds in Windsor Heights: Windsor Heights is a destination for locally loved, eateries. Try a sweet treat made from scratch from The Bake Shoppe or stop by Grounds for Celebration for fresh-roasted coffee and daily baked pastries. Kathmandu and Puerto Rico Restaurant serve authentic dishes that draw both locals and visitors rom across the region.
You might also be surprised by the beauty of this suburb in the spring, when its neighborhoods transform into an oasis of blooming flowers like daffodils, tulips and Virginia bluebells, along with colorful trees such as Eastern redbuds, crabapple blossoms and fragrant magnolias. The well-established tree canopy in Windsor Heights also creates breathtaking fall colors as leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red.
Community traditions and annual events: Movies in the Park at Colby Park takes place monthly throughout the warmer months. Nights in the Heights is the Windsor Heights annual summer community celebration, featuring food trucks and live music, while Windsor Heights Fall Fest offers family-friendly, activities like inflatables and a parade. Nearby Waveland Golf Course is also a popular spot during the winter.
Best ways to get connected: The Windsor Heights Foundation is a great way to get involved within the community and support activities and projects that enhance life in the city.
Community leaders to know: Mike Jones, Mayor of Windsor Heights, and the board of the Windsor Heights Foundation.
If you’re coming to check out the community, be sure to spend your day ... wandering through Colby Park, where you’ll find inclusive Harmony musical instruments, a playground, walking trails and more. You can also rent a BCycle at the park and explore nearby trails.
Some of the ways Windsor Heights advances inclusive strategies: Windsor Heights supports inclusion through community programming and accessible public spaces. The city’s Harmony Park, located in Colby Park, creates a multisensory experience for children of all abilities, and community events bring residents together in meaningful ways.
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