Sherman Hill could get a park after 30 years

A new Sherman Hill park could open next year as part of a capital campaign launched by the neighborhood association.

Why it matters: It's been 30 years since the neighborhood lost its only park.

Flashback: In 1995, Chamberlain Park's longtime location at 19th Street and Ingersoll Avenue was sold for $500,000 for businesses to develop, in a decision that divided the Des Moines City Council.

• At the time, the park was rundown. The Sherman Hill Association supported the move because much of the proceeds went to neighborhood improvements.
• The city then relocated Chamberlain to its current location at 22nd Street and Woodland Avenue — outside of Sherman Hill but within walking distance.

Driving the news: The association and the Mickle Center recently partnered to transform the resource center's undeveloped yard at 16th and Pleasant Streets into a pocket park, neighborhood resident and project volunteer Noah Brinkmeyer, tells Axios. A fundraising campaign is underway.

• The cost is around $100,000, but the groups would like to raise more than $125,00 to help fund future maintenance, too.

State of play: About $30,000 is already committed, mostly from the association.

• Raising $50,000 by Aug. 31 would unlock a match from a Polk County Development Grant .
• Construction could begin as early as spring of next year.

Zoom in: The proposed playground would include multiple climbing structures, a Birds Nest Swing and a Spinner Plate .

• The association would cover the annual operating expenses, and Mickle officials would oversee tasks like mowing and trash pickup, Brinkmeyer says.

What's next: Big Grove Brewery is hosting a park fundraiser as part of a National Night Out event on Aug. 6.

Related: Chamberlain Park's history