Private meetups don't end 515's running dispute over Des Moines fees
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Members of 515 Run Club at Gray's Lake. Photo: Courtesy of Neek Robinson
515 Run Club now meets on private property near Gray's Lake, but Des Moines says it still needs permits and has yet to pay the fees tied to 38 city-authorized trail-use dates this year.
Why it matters: The dispute tests whether large informal fitness groups can use public trails as casual users or must follow the same permit rules as organized events, even if they initially gather on private property.
Catch up quick: Since 2022, the free group's Monday runs at Gray's Lake have grown from two to as many as 190 people — which park officials say has led to trail congestion, parking problems and safety concerns.
- City officials notified the group earlier this year that it must obtain permits and pay a $1 fee per participant, which helps shift event-related oversight costs from taxpayers to participants.
- City manager Scott Sanders rejected the group's request for a more flexible permit-fee system in a May 27 letter questioning whether 515 qualifies as a free volunteer organization, obtained by Axios.
The intrigue: A donor offered to cover 515's permit fees this year.
- 515 organizers declined the donation, saying they'd rather push for policy changes than accept what they considered unfair fees.
- As of late last week, the group had an outstanding permit balance of $4,560.
State of play: Under an agreement with DSM Water Works, the club had used the utility's employee parking after hours.
Yes, but: Club co-founder Neek Robinson told Axios earlier this month that Water Works had "kind of, sort of" raised similar concerns, though the utility said the group had used the park for weeks without incident.
The latest: Runners are now meeting at PUDL Padel, a private padel facility on Bell Avenue, just south of Gray's Lake and near the city trail system, according to 515's social media.
- Meeting on private property does not change 515's need for a permit, as its members are still running at Gray's Lake, DSM Parks and Recreation director Ben Page tells Axios.
Zoom in: As of late last week, the group had not updated the permits.
- The city says it has not taken enforcement action, issued warnings, or had contact with 515 regarding permit compliance since its latest letter, Page said last week.
The other side: 515 co-founder Anthony Arroyo said in a statement to Axios last week that the group wasn't in a position to comment.
- He previously disputed the city's characterization of 515 as commercial, saying the club is free, volunteer-led and has not paid organizers.
What we're watching: Whether Des Moines begins enforcement efforts, seeks permit updates or seeks payment.