Residents of Des Moines offered brief public remarks celebrating National Parks and Recreation Month and praised local parks, trails and recreation programs. Resident (Speaker 1), a Des Moines resident, opened by saying, "It's National Park and Recreation Month," and identified Union Park and Evelyn K. Davis Park among favorites for their trees, size and surrounding community. Resident (Speaker 2), a Des Moines resident, highlighted Ashby Park's native wildflowers and rain gardens and called Walnut Creek Trail "aligned with art" and well paved for access.

Why it matters: speakers emphasized everyday community benefits — playgrounds, trails, pools, community gardens and mobile recreation — that serve neighborhood needs and encourage use of city parks. Several speakers named specific amenities that draw families and regular users, such as Union Park's carousel and splash pad and Greenwood Park's trail and pool access.

Details cited by speakers: Resident (Speaker 1) noted Union Park's carousel and splash pad; Resident (Speaker 2) said Ashby Park has native wildflower rain gardens and a nature trail; another speaker described Tower Park's pickleball and basketball courts, a splash pad and a mini pitch; Resident (Speaker 3) recommended Chesterfield Park following a recent transformation. A speaker identified the Franklin Community Garden as having "like, a 180 individual community garden plots," which the speaker framed as evidence of the garden's diversity. One child speaker identified the Park and Play mobile recreation program as a favorite. The city website dsm.city/parksmonth was provided as a resource for more information.

This was a series of public remarks in observance of Parks and Recreation Month, not a policy discussion or vote. There were no motions, directives to staff or formal actions recorded during these remarks. The comments totaled roughly two minutes of recorded remarks and were limited to praise, personal experience and a public pointer to the city's parks month webpage.

Less critical details and next steps: the remarks did not propose changes to park policy or funding, nor did speakers request formal action during this session. Residents and families who want more information were directed to dsm.city/parksmonth.