Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Des Moines, Iowa
When the Trust for Public Land (TPL) teamed up with Des Moines Parks and Recreation in 2022, their goal was simple: turn Prospect Park from a series of parallel experiences into a place where neighbors, old and new, meet, play, and connect. Nestled along the river, Prospect Park’s 142 acres anchor a neighborhood that includes longtime Des Moines families alongside immigrant communities near Prospect Park from predominantly South Sudan, Liberia, and Laos. Yet until recently, the park’s boat ramp, disc golf course, playground and picnic lawns existed almost as separate worlds rarely having proximity, program or need to interact or crossing paths.
From Siloed Spaces to Shared Moments
Prospect Park’s historic, linear layout had by form and program, unintentionally encouraged each group to stay in its lane. Families from the neighborhood gravitated to picnic areas, gathering spaces, parking lots, open lawns and playgrounds; disc golfers stayed the course and rarely ventured to the areas of the park where the neighborhood gathered; boaters only dipped their toe in waters, sticking near the park boat ramp. Even well-meaning “Iowa nice” respect for others, unintentionally kept the park user groups apart.
Recognizing this, Parks and Recreation staff backed by TPL’s On Common Ground grant designed a series of activations and programming which were designed to create opportunities for interaction and familiarity to be fostered. The City started small with the River Run Garbage Grab, inviting canoeists, cyclists, joggers, summer camp children, and families to clean up litter together. Participants were helping to care for and beautify the park while finding themselves side-by-side on the riverbank, chatting about the park, river, neighborhood, and wildlife spotted.
Prospect Park Community Engagements
The neighborhood gathering event in late September encouraged interaction between the different social groups at Prospect Park. There were no sign-ups and no teams, just a lawn covered with jump ropes, soccer balls, hula hoops, and snacks, open to anyone who stopped by. Those who attended could enjoy playing games such as bags (corn hole), four square and giant parachutes, arranging fun multi-generational activities to facilitate cultural exposure and fun. The success of this event set the stage for the Prospect Park Community Celebration in early November. The park was alive with live music and dance featuring an ethnic DJ and music, using food, music and movement as a bridge for interaction. By weaving food, music, and movement together, the celebration transformed separate park zones into a single, shared experience. That effort sparked a bigger idea…
The Birth of Park-N-Play: Bringing the Fun to “Park Deserts”
The energy from these series of events at Prospect Park sparked a citywide revelation and thus the Park-N-Play, Des Moines’ Mobile Recreation Vehicle, was born. The van arrives “jam-packed with games, sports equipment, crafts, and so much more to help the whole family find their fun.” Guided by TPL’s ParkServe analysis—which pinpoints neighborhoods lacking park access—the program targets park deserts with free, drop-in activities and rotating themes, like the Superhero obstacle course.
A Lasting City-Wide Impact
The grant funded work at Prospect Park has served as a strategy for change in one park, and has evolved into a signature program and service delivery enhancement for the entire City of Des Moines park system. The program is achieving multiple LiveDSM comprehensive park plan goals; innovation, accessibility and parks as the heart of the community, all echoing TPL’s vision of urban parks as catalysts for community. By focusing on shared experiences, Park-N-Play is quickly spreading that spirit across Des Moines, one where play, partnership, and possibility meet at the heart of every park.
