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.

Please mark your calendars for the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association’s membership meeting and annual supper on Thursday, October 20 at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. The supper will get underway at 6 p.m., with the meeting following at 6:30.

More details to come!

A dedication for the new spray-grounds at Tower Park, 4900 Hickman Road, will be held at noon on Thursday, June 13.

Last year, the City Council approved plans for a new water feature that will feature a replica of the historic Hazen Water Tower. The new spray-grounds will replace Tower Park’s existing wading pool, which will remain in service until the new facility is operational. A new restroom facility is also under construction.

A new water feature was a key piece of a master plan that was created for Tower Park in 2006. It will complement other recent park improvements such as a new basketball court, resurfaced tennis courts, and upgraded shelter, and an interior trail courtesy of Polk County.

MHNA thanks all of the volunteers and city and county leaders who have helped deliver such wonderful improvements to Tower Park. Please help us celebrate on June 13, and join us as we look to make this great park even better in the future!

Want to weigh in on ways to improve Franklin Avenue? You’ll have a chance when the City of Des Moines hosts a public meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave.

The City’s Engineering Department is currently at work on plans for the Closes Creek storm sewer project, which will include work along Franklin Avenue. Since the street is in poor condition and will be torn up for the sewer project, we have an opportunity to examine Franklin Avenue’s design and how to make it work better for our neighborhoods. Franklin Avenue is a vital route in northwest Des Moines, running through the Merle Hay, Beaverdale, and Waveland Park neighborhoods.

What do you think about the possible addition of bike lanes? How ‘bout an off-street, shared-use path? What other ideas and questions do you have? There are a lot of options, and it is important to participate and make your voice heard.

Please mark your calendar and spread the word!