Category Archives: General Updates

National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2!

Please join the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association for the annual observance of National Night Out, America’s night out against crime, from 6 p.m. to 8 on Tuesday, August 2, at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. There will be free food, games for kids, family friendly entertainment, door prizes, and more!

Here is a brief rundown of other highlights and activities we expect to have next Tuesday:

  • A visit from the Des Moines Police Department’s Mount Patrol and a K9 unit.
  • Craft table for kids.
  • Bounce-house for kids.

Please spread the word! We look forward to having a great turnout!

Advance thanks to Des Moines Police and all of our volunteers and sponsors for their tremendous support!

Learn more about National Night Out here: https://natw.org/

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Learn about commercial corridor improvements at July 21 quarterly meeting

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association (MHNA) invites you to participate in a discussion we will hold about commercial corridor revitalization at our next quarterly membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. City of Des Moines officials will be on hand to share information and field questions about ongoing efforts to beautify and improve commercial stretches of Merle Hay Road, Douglas Avenue, and Hickman Road.

The anticipated improvements include $1.8 million in City money to widen Merle Hay Road from Boston Avenue to Douglas Avenue between the 2019 and 2023 fiscal years, and $1.3 million in City money to improve the intersection of Merle Hay and Hickman roads between the 2020 and 2024 fiscal years, according to City budget forecasts.

MHNA’s July 21st meeting will be a great opportunity for you to hear the latest details and get even more involved in efforts to improve our neighborhood’s business corridors. Please spread the word!

Merle HayDay Celebration Set for May 14

Please join MHNA for our annual Merle HayDay celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Tower Park, 4900 Hickman Road. The gathering will be held in the open-air shelter located on the north side of the park.

MHNA will provide free hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks, as well as family-friendly games and entertainment. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Tableware will be provided. You also may want to bring a bag chair or lawn chair.

Parking is available in the lot along Hickman Road. The Park and Recreation Department also leases space in the First Federated Church parking lot by Tower Park’s tennis and basketball courts.

Merle HayDay is a wonderful opportunity to meet your neighbors and learn more about our neighborhood. It’s also a great way to find out how you can get more involved in making the Merle Hay neighborhood an even better place to live, work, and play. We look forward to seeing you there on May 14! Please spread the word!

MHNA Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, April 21

We hope you will join us at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, April 21, at the Northwest Community Center for the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association’s quarterly meeting.

We are pleased to be joined by Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly, as well as Patty Gressman from the Neighborhood Finance Corp. Ms. Gressman will share details about NFC lending opportunities that are back in a portion of our neighborhood. More details are available athttp://www.neighborhoodfinance.org/

Reports will also be given about Tower Park improvements, our upcoming Merle HayDay celebration on Saturday, May 14, and other neighborhood news.

Last, but not least, refreshments will be provided.

Please mark your calendar, and spread the word. We look forward to having a great turnout at Thursday’s meeting!