Story by Larissa Wurm
Photos by Luke Nankivell
Rollerskaters, skateboarders, runners and bicyclists filled University Avenue for Des Moines’ first ever open-streets event -—DSMove.
The event closed down the avenue for 18 blocks for a disc golf course, basketball court, skate park, playground, yoga studio, dancing — basically, a large block party.
The event, detailed in a city press release, said DSMove is the “Des Moines version of a national effort to promote neighborhoods, local businesses, physical activity, health and a sustainable future.”
Emily Grimm, Drake student senator and community outreach liaison, said the event strived to promote healthy living.
“It’s a family-fun oriented day,” Grimm said. “And it’s tying in the Drake community.”
Student Senate was partnering with Alpha Phi Omega (APO), the campus service-learning fraternity, to make DSMove a service-learning event.
Emily Wilkins, a senior environmental science and environmental policy double major, works in the service-learning office and volunteered at the event.
“We’re trying to get Des Moines to be active,” Wilkins said. “(DSMove) encourages people to walk or bike rather than drive every time.”
Grimm attended the event, getting locals to write and decorate cards for children in hospitals.
“Our goal for today is to send 500 cards,” Grimm said.
The cards are being sent to major hospitals in the area.
DSMove, while promoting healthier lifestyles, also promotes local businesses.
One of the local businesses at the event was Mr. Bibbs BBQ and more, owned by William Kenny.
Classie Kenny, the wife of the owner, said the event organizers and volunteers asked them to be a part of DSMove because they also participate in the Drake Farmers Market.
“I hope by being here, people will realize we’re still around,” Classie Kenny said. “We’re still serving fat, greasy, but nutritious food.”
When the Kenny’s aren’t running their BBQ trailer around to events across the metro, they are located at 1306 University Ave.
“We’re still here!” Classie Kenny said.
Mr. Bibbs BBQ typically opens in March, and goes until “it just gets too cold.”
To keep funds going, Classie Kenny sells pillows and blankets, which she was also selling at DSMove.
“We both might have to get part-time jobs though,” Kenny said. “We just need to be able to keep our funds going.”
Jan Hill, president of the Des Moines Regional Skatepark Committee, and Karla Fultz McHenry, fund development director, were at the event to promote their cause: a $3.5 million, 65,000 square foot skate park downtown, west of the Wells Fargo Arena.
“It would bring economic development to the city,” said McHenry. “It’s a fabulous park and would be a safe place for kids to skateboard.”
“The park would provide more recreational opportunities for skateboarders,” Hill said. “Kids get tickets and their skateboards taken away because they didn’t have a place to skateboard. … This effort was really led by the youth.”
The Des Moines Regional Skatepark group has been working for nine years to raise enough money for the park.
Other attractions to the event were the world’s largest bike and the Isiserettes.
Des Moines Parks and Recreation, Des Moines Bicycle Collective, Drake University Drake Neighborhood Association and other local institutions helped make the event possible.
To keep funds going, Classie Kenny sells pillows and blankets, which she was also selling at DSMove.
“We both might have to get part-time jobs though,” Kenny said. “We just need to be able to keep our funds going.”
Other attractions to the event were the world’s largest bike and the Isiserettes.
Des Moines Parks and Recreationg, Des Moines Bicycle Collective, Drake University Drake Neighborhood Association and other local institutions helped make the event possible.
