The Grand Views

Issue date: 4/16/10 Section: Features

Media Credit: Maegan Simpson 148 disc golf courses are spread throughout the state, proving free recreation and exercise for students of all abilities.

Temperatures are rising and Des Moines has finally seen its first eighty-degree days of the year. Few college students want to spend these days inside, nor spend any money to be outside. No worries! Students can spend much less money this spring and summer and become closer to nature by indulging in free activities.

Jake Westerhof, history sophomore, said he will do anything to get out of the house during the warmer months.

"For my free recreation, I like to play some basketball, backyard football, and maybe get some running in there too," he said.

Aside from the typical outdoor sports, one should look no further than the disc golf course.

Disc golf is much like regular golf except it is played with Frisbees, chain-link baskets, and in a more compact area. Oh, and it's free! All one needs are discs, usually a driver and a putter, that range anywhere from $10-20 dollars. Better yet, walk the wooded sections of the courses, hunt for lost discs, and use the ones you find. Local courses, such as Grandview, Pete Crivaro, Waterworks and Ewing are free and open to the public.

According to the discgolfstore.com, there are 148 disc golf courses in the state of Iowa. For students that live in their hometown during summer break, chances are good they have a course in their county.

For the adventure-seekers, mountain biking may be the ticket to free recreation. No, there are not mountains in Iowa. Yes, there are great mountain bike trails in Des Moines and the surrounding area. Miles of wooded single-track trails can be found in between Ashworth Pool and Waterworks Park. By oneself or with a group of friends, zipping through the trails is a great source of adrenaline and exercise.

Going to the pool in the summer is not cheap and the swarms of daycare field trips can be overwhelming. Skip the pool and head to the beach instead. It's less crowded and one can bring their own food and as many floaties as desired. No lines, no hours and no admission fee make the beach a perfect hangout spot for college students.

Canceling the gym membership during the spring and summer months can save money and be beneficial to health and attitude. Run outside instead of the treadmill. Forget the spin bike at the gym and ride a bike outdoors. Get off the beaten path and hike dirt trails. Take a day trip with the boyfriend/girlfriend, pack a cooler, and head to Ledges Park in Boone for a day of hiking. Ledges provides a change of scenery unlike anything in Iowa.

According to Tina Vindum, author of Outdoor Fitness, exercising outdoors "causes your brain to focus more and pair up with your body in a way the gym can't -- so you stay super present, focused and coordinated."

For the leisurely crowd, the summer months in Des Moines are typically full of free concerts. The bands are usually local or up-and-rising groups that many people may have never heard of. These concerts are great because they allow people to get a taste of new music, outside, for free. Jasper Winery has a free concert series every Thursday night during the summer. For a list of concerts, visit www.desmoinesregister.com.

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