We met with Margaret Wright at Evelyn K. Davis Park to learn more about the impact of the King Irving Neighborhood Association. Margaret shares her perspective on the importance of maintaining our parks and why community involvement is the key to keeping these spaces vibrant for everyone. Meet Margaret Wright Q: Please introduce yourself. "Hi, I’m Margaret Wright, and I’m the President of the King Irving Neighborhood Association. We are here in our beautiful park, Evelyn K.

At Friends of Des Moines Parks, we believe that parks are fundamental to public health. We spoke with Laura Rehmer, a local chiropractor and mother of two, who sees the Des Moines trail system as essential to her family’s active lifestyle. Laura has lived in Des Moines since 2008 and runs a private chiropractic practice near the Drake area. What started as an unplanned move quickly became a lifelong love for the city. As a highly active person, she found the local parks and t

At Friends of Des Moines Parks, we are constantly inspired by the commitment of our community. Tyler Weig, a dedicated resident and long-time park user, shares why he chose to make a deeply personal donation this year, how our parks have shaped his life, and the simple secret to maximizing his impact. Tyler made Des Moines his home in 2005. He quickly realized the city’s unique charm and understood why it's often described as "America’s biggest small town." In the two decades

At Friends of Des Moines Parks, we believe the best way to understand the true impact of our parks, trails, and programs is through the voices of those who live, work, and play in them every day. This week, as part of our year-end "Parks Are For Everyone" campaign, we want to highlight a story from John Schmidt, a dedicated board member and long-time Des Moines resident, who shares his perspective on why our parks are so vital and what makes the work of Friends so special. Jo