Union Park 125th Celebration

A sneak preview of what we can't wait to share with you this weekend!

Union Park is 125 years old! 2019 marks the 125th anniversary of Union Park, and we're celebrating on Saturday, September 28th. This anniversary celebration will coincide with the City of Des Moines Parks Department Fall Family Fun Fest to create a full day of celebration and excitement inside of the park.
On the day in which the park was inaugurated in 1896, there was a bicycle parade that ran from the East Village of downtown Des Moines to the park, and in similar fashion that is how this 125th birthday celebration will start.
There will be a bicycle ride from Union Park to Peace Tree Brewing downtown and then back to Union Park via the Neal Smith bicycle trail, which will then join a decorated bicycle parade around the south loop of the park. Any children participating will have an opportunity to decorate their bicycles for this bicycle parade, or you're welcome to decorate at home if you want to!
We will then have a free hot dog feed, and some opportunities to explore rarely-seen maps and historical documents detailing the rich history of Union Park. A guided “History walk” will also take place around the park to discover some of the historic features and sights that have been inside Union Park over the last 125 years.
The Fall Family fun fest will host a Trike-a-thon, food eating contests, inflatables, DJ, Face painter, Police and S.W.A.T Vehicle, K-9 Dog, and a fire truck!

https://www.friendsofdmparks.org is a funder of Union Park’s 125th anniversary celebration. Thanks, friends!

Many thanks to Bozz Prints for allowing us to use his awesome Union Park Rocket Slide design for our celebration! It's part of a set of four prints commemorating the founding of the four original parks in Des Moines in 1896! https://www.facebook.com/bozzprints/

Bozz Prints Vintage inspired art prints and clothing featuring the Midwest and beyond!