This photo of the Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden at Greenwood Park was selected for the cover of the latest DSM parks annual report from submissions in a city contest. WDM photographer Carrie Prall is raising money to finance a 2023 Glacier National Park calendar project. Photo courtesy of Carrie Prall/via the city of DSM
Park usage spiked during the pandemic, which set the stage for multiple new records at Des Moines parks last year, according to a city report published last week.
- Adult volleyball as well as youth flag football and basketball recorded their highest annual participation levels in 2021.
Driving the news: Dozens of projects are in the works, including rehabs to the Neal Smith Trail and Beaverdale Park as well as a new E911 system along recreational trails.
- A sand volleyball league will launch later this year.
Of note: While not all records, high usage was seen across other park programs.
- Golf: Nearly 110,000 rounds played.
- Dog parks: About 1,950 permits sold.
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