Neighbors raising money for Chamberlain Park following demolition
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The Chamberlain Park playground prior to its demolition. Photo: Courtesy of Kyle Rice.
Some neighbors are trying to raise money to help rebuild a playground that city staff removed from Chamberlain Park after it failed an inspection.
Why it matters: The playground was one of the few play spaces within walking distance for families in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, and it was also popular for Sherman Hill and Grand Avenue families.
State of play: Alison Kanne regularly biked to the park from Grand Avenue with her 4-year-old twins, and was surprised to see the playground equipment missing last month.
- "All these kids have just suddenly lost their playground overnight," Kanne says.
What they're saying: City staff identified several safety issues that needed repair, but the cost to replace the parts was not cost-effective, since the playground is planned for replacement anyway in July 2029, says Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page.
- The playground was built in 1999.
By the numbers: The projected cost in the City's Capital Improvement Program for the new playground in 2030 is $150,000, says Daniel Calvert, planning administrator with Des Moines Parks and Recreation.
- "It's a big loss," Kyle Rice, president of the Woodland Heights Organization, tells Axios. "I used to drive by it all the time, and there'd always be kids on it."
What's next: Kanne says she's searching for major donors to help expedite or expand park improvements before she opens up her fundraising campaign to the general public.
- People interested in helping can contact [email protected].
