2026 Annual Meeting on Jan. 15

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association will hold its annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, at the Northwest Community Center, located at 5110 Franklin Ave. We will have our annual report, neighborhood news, public safety updates, Des Moines Parks & Recreation news, refreshments, and more. We also expect to receive an update from Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity on a project in the neighborhood. The meeting will conclude with the election of officers and board members for 2025. Please save the date and invite your neighbors!

REMINDER: MHNA meets on the third Thursday in January, April, July, and October at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. Unless otherwise noted, the meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Our October gathering includes our annual supper, which starts at 6 p.m., followed by the membership meeting at 6:30. MHNA’s 2025 meetings will be held on January 15, April 16, July 16, and October 15. Please save the dates! Our ability to send out paper newsletters depends on annual revenue and grant support, which varies from year to year.

MHNA’s Annual Soup Supper and Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, October 16

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association will host its annual supper at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. The supper will be followed by MHNA’s regular quarterly meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Please contact us at merlehayneighborhood@gmail.com if you would like to bring soup, a side, or a dessert to share at the supper.

When the meeting gets underway, we expect to hear from Polk County Treasurer Mary Wells, Mike Bahl from Des Moines Parks & Recreation, and public safety updates from Officer Trudy Paulson with the Des Moines Police Department. Other neighborhood updates will also be provided.

Candidates in the November 4 city and school board elections who might join us will also be allowed to briefly introduce themselves.

Please join us on Thursday and invite your neighbors!

National Night Out on August 5

Please join the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association for our annual observance of National Night Out, America’s night out against crime, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5 at Tower Park, 4900 Hickman Road. There will be games and crafts for kids, family friendly entertainment, door prizes, and great tips and information from public safety personnel about how to safeguard you, your loved ones, and your property. Cold
refreshments and food will be provided!

National Night Out is a great way to meet your neighbors and learn more about safety within your home and while you’re out and about. Please help spread the word! We
look forward to having a great turnout. Contact April Wyss at 515-707-6386 to volunteer, donate, or have a booth. We can always use more helping hands, so
please consider volunteering!

Quarterly Meeting & 25th Anniversary Celebration on July 17

Please join the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, at the Northwest Community Center as we gather to celebrate our 25th anniversary and Merle Hay Day, and hold our quarterly meeting. We plan to have a brief presentation on MHNA’s history, news from Des Moines Parks & Recreation, public safety updates, neighborhood news, and more. As always, we invite residents and businesses to share ideas on how we can make our neighborhood even better.

Refreshments will be provided. Please join us and help spread the word among neighbors!

MHNA Quarterly Meeting on April 17

Please join the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association for its next quarterly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. Here are the guest speakers we plan to have join us:

We’ll have neighborhood news, public safety updates, and information on how you can become more involved in supporting the neighborhood.

Refreshments will be provided. Please join us and invite your neighbors!