Des Moines, WA is a waterfront community in the southern Seattle Metropolitan area facing Puget Sound. Des Moines, Washington is half way between Seattle and Tacoma, WA.

Des Moines has a population of around 29,000. Because of its location Des Moines has several waterfront parks (link below).

The easiest way to get to Des Moines is to take Interstate-5 Exit 149 and driving west for about 2 mi. and then turning right onto Marine View Drive. City center is in about 3 blocks.

History

Des Moines, Washington was first settled by John Moore in 1872. The town was platted in 1889 and lots began to sell quickly. Soon the first school opened, followed by a post office and church. Puget Sound was a busy waterway with a ferry to Vashon Island providing easy access to canneries for the farmers produce.

Des Moines Beach Park

This beach, formerly called Covenant Beach, is the birthplace of Des Moines. It is part of the area that John Moore claimed in 1872 and the sawmill was operated here in the 1880’s. In 1931 the land was purchased by the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church who built the buildings that remain on site today. The 19-acre park offers such amenities as a play area, restrooms, picnicking, trails, a creek, beach, art and an historical site.

The park is located at 22030 Cliff Avenue South, Des Moines, WA.

The Marina

The City of Des Moines Marina is located on the East Passage of Puget Sound. It is a full service marina offering both wet and dry moorage for 840 vessels, including guest moorage. There are also bathrooms and showers at the marina.

The City of Des Moines, WA has a web site.

http://www.desmoineswa.gov/

Des Moines is a waterfront city facing Puget Sound. They have several parks.

Visit the City’s Parks page.

Des Moines Parks web site.

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