The City of Des Moines EMC Downtown Park, at 701 Walnut, opened this month, June, 2023. Let's check it out.

Views of a Farm Boy--Dedicated to promote Iowa agriculture and Iowa values

Robert Vaughn--Urbandale, Iowa  EMAIL:   vaughnrobert@me.com

My View for the Month: It ws a sad day for Iowa when the beautiful Younkers building at 701 Walnut was destroyed by fire, March 14, 2014. Sometimes wheels turn slowly in the corporate world and this lot has remained undeveloped--until now. In 2021, EMC bought this site and planned to build a new building here. Next came the pandemic-- work patterns changed and EMC put a long term delay on building expansion. This has been a sad story to this point, but read on--there is a happy ending. EMC retained ownership of the land because if conditions change, they may need it some day. In the meantime, they partnered with the City of Des Moines to build a much needed pocket park. There is a lot here in a little space, including basketball and pickelball facilities and more. There are many park benches here so bring your lunch or a soda. What a blessing for the people who live and work in Downtown Des Moines.

This is what the Lord says; "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will seek me and come and pray with me and I will listen to you".  (NIV) (Jeremiah 29: 10-12).

Right and left: I took these photos July 18, 2021. Construction was underway for a new park in downtown Des Moines.

Below: June 21, 2023