Wade Ellett visits some QC parks that few people have heard of … but are worth learning about!

Need a 5-minute nature escape from your crazy to-do list? Check out LMQC outdoor blogger Wade Ellett’s list of QC hideaway parks tucked right into our urban landscape.

If you’re strapped for time, these sweet little parks are for you! They’re a great way to spend some time outside with friends and family, or even by yourself!

Stephens Park Moline, IL

Barely more than a mile from downtown Moline, Stephens Park is a cool little refuge if you need to spend a little time in nature but don’t have the time to run away to the woods.

Sure, you’ll find ball diamonds and playground equipment, but I’m more eager to tell you about the 1.25 miles of trail waiting for you in Stephens Park.

Perfectly suited for beginner or intermediate mountain biking, trail-running, or just a little time day-hiking, the trails here are great way to spend an hour or 2. Just be careful; since they’re multi-use, you’ll want to watch out for others on the trail!

Crow Creek Park Bettendorf, IA

Crow Creek is a pretty amazing Bettendorf park. It has just about everything you might need for recreation!

You’ll find softball, baseball, and soccer fields, DekHockey, skate and bike parks, playground equipment, a walking path, and a cross country trail in addition to the picnic shelters.

All of this makes Crow Creek Park a great place to spend a day. I have to admit, however, that I wanted to visit this park for one reason; the dog park.

Crow Creek has a wonderful dog park where the puppers and doggos can run free. If you’ve got your own 4-legged member of the family, this is a great place to bring them to go wild for a few hours. Don’t worry if your best friend is a little small, because there’s a section just for smaller dogs too. If you’re just a dog lover, feel free to come and watch, just be sure to ask permission before petting or playing.

While you’re there, you should head down the way from the dog park to the quarry, where you can do some fishing, or just enjoy the lovely scenery. It’s a lovely spot, and we enjoyed visiting.

Phipps Prairie Park  Silvis, IL

Tucked away in southeast Silvis, Phipps Prairie Park starts out as a pleasant little park with a small playground and a nice picnic shelter. But if you keep walking past these, you’ll discover 2 different woodland nature trails that meet in the middle of a wonderful tall grass prairie.

Here you can watch bees and butterflies flit from wildflower to wildflower as hummingbirds fly past you.

This is a beautiful spot that will make you feel like you’re walking through a prairie hundreds of miles from anywhere.

Google Maps or your GPS may try to take you to the entrance that’s only accessible by foot or on bicycle, so if you’re driving make sure to turn south on 12th street from Avenue of the Cities/Colona Road, and you’ll be there in just a minute or 2.

Indian Springs Davenport, IA

For a moment I thought about excluding this park from the post because it’s small and doesn’t have much – or anything – in the way of things to do.

Of course, that’s the exact reason I ended up enjoying this little park so much. It’s just a simple green space with shade next to the Village of East Davenport. If you walk in far enough, you’ll enjoy a cool view of elevated railroad tracks.

There is space enough for kids to play if they want to throw a ball or a frisbee around, but this is also a nice spot for adults to visit. You can relax in the shade and have a picnic with friends, or take a few minutes to sit and meditate.

So despite my initial doubts, I’m glad I took the time to enjoy this little park!

Meet Wade Ellett, Let’s Move Quad Cities Outdoor Blogger. Wade is an outdoor adventurer who shares his passion for QC outdoor adventures here! Read his other posts by clicking here.

You can do plenty of running – and walking – around the park.

Crow Creek – Crow Creek Park is a good place to let your pup play freely.

Crow Creek – Look at those dogs play.

Crow Creek – The quarry is beutiful through the trees.

There is some good fishing down at the quarry.

Indian Springs – Indian Springs Park is a great little green space near the Village of East Davenport.

Indian Springs – The park begins to open up a little as you walk towards the elevated railroad tracks.

Indian Springs – A lot of open air here to run and play if you’d like to toss a ball or frisbee around.

Phipps Prairie Park – Phipps Prairie Park is a great place to get a dose of the outdoors without having to go too far.

Phipps Prairie Park – There are two trails here, one easy and another more challenging.

Phipps Prairie Park – The easier of the two trails is still enjoyable.

Phipps Prairie Park – The second trail is more challenging, but a lot of fun.

Phipps Prairie Park – Both trails meet in a prarie in the middle.

Phipps Prairie Park – Walking through the prairie is lovely as pollenators fly around you.

Phipps Prairie Park – There are lots of wildflowers in the prairie for you to enjoy.

Stephens Park – The trail at Stephens Park will make you forget that you’re so close to downtown Moline.

Stephens Park – The trails are generally easy to walk, and a great place for beginner Mountain Bikers to get experience.

Stephens Park – Be sure to keep and eye out for other using the trail, since it can be narrow in some places.