Emma McCarthy Lee Park

In 1949, the park was dedicated and given to the city of Ames by Judge C. Lee in memory of his wife, Emma McCarthy Lee. Later, small plots of land were purchased to connect Emma McCarthy Lee Park and Munn Woods making the Park 45 acres, maintained by the city. The Park has 2 shelters, a playground, lighted tennis courts, picnic areas, playing field, rest rooms, and parking.

Munn Woods

It is believed that in the 1840’s to 1850’s, the original Daniel Boone Wagon and Stage Coach trail ran through what is now Munn Woods. In the 1930’s, Hiram Axtell Munn purchased 40 acres as a birthday gift for his wife, Ann. In 1991, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation purchased the land from the Munn family, who later donated the land to the city of Ames, and granted the City a conservation easement to ensure the continued beauty and care of the natural resources. Munn Woods is an entirely natural area, one of the best hiking trails in the Ames vicinity, and part of an extensive, beautiful hardwood forest.

The linkage of Emma McCarthy Lee Park with Munn woods created a beautiful and unique nature preserve with balanced eco-system of green space, trees, wildlife, native and migrating birds. Clear Creek runs through both Emma McCarthy Lee Park and Munn Woods.