Last Summer '23 GMWHOA Concert to Feature Food Drive for Johnston Partnership

At the last summer concert of 2023, Green Meadows West neighborhood homeowner-members are invited to bring shelf-stable goods, personal hygiene items, school supplies, and clothing to donate to other town residents via the Johnston Partnership for a Health Community.

The concert will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Fri., Sept. 15, 2023 near the Green Meadows West neighborhood's signature gazebo. 

Solicited items include, but are not limited to:

• Diapers, pull-ups, wipes, feminine hygiene items
• Soaps and shampoos
• Dish soap and laundry detergent
• Socks and underwear

For more donation ideas, visit here at this link.

Established in 2004 by a group of Johnston school nurses, the Johnston Partnership has grown into a 501(c)3 non-profit that supports local food pantry and clothes closet activities, often with the help of local service and other organizations. The organization is currently located in leased office space at 5870 Merle Hay Road, Suite D, near the Johnston post office.

"The Johnston Partnership does great work, finding ways to help students and families in our greater Johnston community weather food scarcity and financial insecurity," says Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association board member Sara Lockner, a member of the organization's Outreach Committee. "As we gather during our remaining concert event this Friday, September 23, we're asking our homeowner-members to help this well-respected non-profit organization collect needed items."

The concert will be held near Dover Park, one of the association's publicly accessible private green spaces, is located at the intersection of Crescent Chase and Wellington Boulevard.

Featured will be musician Andrew Hoyt. Treats will be served by Culver's Confections.

As always, neighbors are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and beverage coolers. A portable toilet and hand-sanitization station will be located on site during the events.

The concert series helps the Green Meadows West neighborhood celebrate summer, while also calling attention to the association's many amenities, which include natural prairie areas, tree-lined green spaces, and privately managed parks.

To share your ideas about future Green Meadows West Homeowners Association offerings, contact the Outreach committee via Association Manager Ben McMenamin, 515.222.5206; benm AT knappLC DOT com

Join Us for Our 4th Annual GMWHOA Summer Concert Series!

Andrew Hoyt

The Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association is pleased to announce dates for its 4th Annual Sweet Summer Concert Series!

Held at the neighborhood’s Dover Park gazebo, event will feature a different musical act, offering a mix of classic rock, pop, country, and other family-friendly songs.

Dover Park, one of the association's publicly accessible private green spaces, is located at the intersection of Crescent Chase and Wellington Boulevard.

Concert times are 6:30 to 8 p.m:

• Fri., Jun. 9, 2023: JohnPaul Burtch! Treats from Dough Crazy!
• Fri, Aug. 4, 2023: Mike Aceto! Treats TBD!
• Fri., Sept. 15, 2022: Andrew Hoyt! Treats from Culver's Confections!

Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and beverage coolers. A portable toilet and hand-sanitization station will be located on site during the events.

The concert series helps the Green Meadows West neighborhood celebrate summer, while also calling attention to the association's many amenities, which include natural prairie areas, tree-lined green spaces, and privately managed parks.

Based on positive feedback from association members, concerts replaced the neighborhood's long-running annual picnic in 2019.

To share your ideas about future Green Meadows West Homeowners Association offerings, contact the Outreach committee via Association Manager Ben McMenamin, 515.222.5206; benm AT knapplc DOT com

This Summer, Join Us for Yoga in Dover Park!

Starting June 2023, join your Green Meadows West neighbors in FREE community-building and wellness exercise at Saturday-morning yoga sessions provided by Johnston-based Power Life Yoga Studio, and underwritten by the Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association.

Meet us at 9 a.m. on scheduled Saturdays in Dover Park, the association's publicly accessible private park, which is located at the intersection of Crescent Chase and Wellington Boulevard.

Weather permitting, the 2023 Green Meadows West HOA-sponsored yoga sessions will be conducted on the following dates:

• June 10 & 24
• July 8 & 22
• August 5 & 19
• September 9 & 23

"We were excited by the positive response to last year's events—we even added some dates," says Outreach Committee member Sara Lockner. "This year, we're hoping that our neighbors can stop by regularly, whenever they can!"

No previous yoga experience is required, Lockner says. Participants should bring their own mats or beach towels, and can choose to use either grass or paved surface. Instructors often use the gazebo's elevated floor as a stage, and will use a small public address loudspeaker for amplification.

Potential benefits of yoga can include stress reduction, increased blood circulation, detoxification, and improved sleep, according to Power Life materials.

"Power Life is about making your healthy lifestyle what you want it to be. We are a place to meet friends, a place to meet goals and a place to meet yourself. Power Life is a community of individuals, where there is a spot for everyone and style of exercise that challenges everybody."

For more information on Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association offerings this summer, check out our events page here this link.

To share your ideas about future Green Meadows West Homeowners Association offerings, contact the Outreach committee via Association Manager Ben McMenamin, 515.222.5206; benm AT knapplc DOT com

Or like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreenMeadowsWest/

Summer Concerts to Feature Live-Music & Sweet Treats!

Photo courtesy of JohnPaul Burtch

The Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association is pleased to announce for 2022 a third annual series of summer concerts at the neighborhood’s Dover Park gazebo. Each event will feature a different musical act, offering a mix of classic rock, pop, country, and other family-friendly songs. Concert times are 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

• Fri., Jun. 10, 2022: Boomerang!
• Fri, Aug. 5, 2022: Mike Aceto!
• Fri., Sept. 9, 2022: JohnPaul Burtch! 

Dover Park, one of the association's publicly accessible private parks, is located at the intersection of Crescent Chase and Wellington Boulevard.

The first event will feature treats provided by association vendor Crumbl Cookies, Ankeny. The second event will feature treats provided by Totally Rolled Ice Cream, West Des Moines. The third event will feature treats provided by Johnston's own Culver's Confections.

Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and beverage coolers. A portable toilet and hand-sanitization station will be located on site during the events.

The concert series helps the Green Meadows West neighborhood celebrate summer, while also calling attention to the association's many amenities, which include natural prairie areas, tree-lined green spaces, and privately managed parks. Based on positive feedback from association members, concerts replaced the neighborhood's long-running annual picnic in 2019.

To share your ideas about future Green Meadows West Homeowners Association offerings, contact the Outreach committee via Association Manager Ben McMenamin at benm AT knappproperties DOT com

NEW JULY DATES! Join Your Neighbors for Yoga in Dover Park!

UPDATE: New July 2022 yoga dates added!!!

Join your Green Meadows West neighbors in FREE community-building and wellness exercise at two forthcoming events provided by Johnston-based Power Life Yoga Studio, and underwritten by the Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association.

The first 2022 outdoor yoga events took place in June. NEW DATES HAVE BEEN ADDED! Meet us at 9 a.m. on Sat, July 9 and July 23, 2022 in Dover Park, the association's publicly accessible private park, which is located at the intersection of Crescent Chase and Wellington Boulevard.

"We've seen successful outdoor yoga programs in Gray's Lake, Terra Park, and in other Des Moines-metro suburbs, and we're excited to experiment with similar programming [...] against the backdrop of our neighborhood's signature gazebo," says Outreach Committee member Sara Lockner. 

No previous yoga experience is required, Lockner says. Participants should bring their own mats or beach towels, and can choose to use either grass or paved surface. Instructors will likely use the gazebo's elevated floor as a stage, and will use a small public address loudspeaker for amplification.

Potential benefits of yoga can include stress reduction, increased blood circulation, detoxification, and improved sleep, according to Power Life materials.

"Power Life is about making your healthy lifestyle what you want it to be. We are a place to meet friends, a place to meet goals and a place to meet yourself. Power Life is a community of individuals, where there is a spot for everyone and style of exercise that challenges everybody."

For more information on Green Meadows West Homeowners' Association offerings this summer, check out our events page here this link.

To share your ideas about future Green Meadows West Homeowners Association offerings, contact the Outreach committee via Association Manager Ben McMenamin at benm AT knappproperties DOT com

Or like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreenMeadowsWest/

Monthly Summer Concert Series Returns to Dover Park!

The annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” usually conducted in September has again been replaced with a monthly series of three at the neighborhood’s Dover Park gazebo, June through September. Concert times are 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

The park is located just south of Foxboro Square, in the vicinity of Regus Offices, 6165 Northwest 86th Street.

• Jun. 4: Zachary Freedom
• Jul. 9: Gladys Light
• Aug. 6: Boomerang

Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and beverage coolers, and to observe social distancing and masking as able. A portable toilet and hand-sanitization station will be located on site during the events.

The concert series was borne out of necessity in 2020, when, given concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the board sought to rethink the ways people come together to celebrate our neighborhood. The events revisit previous Green Meadows West traditions, such as ice cream socials and other family-friendly events.

Each concert will feature a different musical act. A food truck from The Outside Scoop, Indianola, will offer complimentary ice cream cones to Green Meadows West residents.

Started in 2005, the annual picnic has been a way to bring neighbors together to celebrate the end of summer, and to call attention to Green Meadows West’s many amenities, which include natural prairie areas, tree-lined green spaces, and privately managed parks.

If you have suggestions or questions regarding the event, please contact the board via Association Manager Randi Johnson at: randi DOT johnson AT knappproperties DOT com

Summer Concert Series to Replace 2020 Annual Picnic!

The annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” usually conducted in September has been temporarily replaced with a monthly series of three “socially distanced concerts” at the neighborhood’s Dover Park gazebo, July through September. Concert times are 6:30 to 8 p.m.:

• Fri., July 10: Jay Casmirri
• Fri., Aug. 14: Zachary Freedom
• Fri., Sept. 11: Jay Casmirri

Citing recommended best-practices and precautions regarding the transmission of COVID-19, “the board thought it best to rethink the ways we come together and celebrate our neighborhood,” says DeAnn Lee, chairperson for the Communications & Outreach committee. “So, while we’re not going to be able to offer favorites such as face-painting, a buffet-style barbecue, and inflatable bounce houses this year, we can revisit other Green Meadows West traditions—concerts and ice cream socials!”

Each concert will feature a different musical act. On the first scheduled date, a food truck from The Outside Scoop, Indianola, will offer complimentary ice cream cones to Green Meadows West residents. Food offerings for other concert dates are pending, and will be based on attendance. funding, and feedback.

Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs and beverage coolers, and to observe 6-foot social distancing and masking as able. A portable toilet and hand-sanitization station will be located on site, during the events.

Started in 2005, the annual picnic has been a way to bring neighbors together to celebrate the end of summer, and to call attention to Green Meadows West’s many amenities, which include natural prairie areas, tree-lined green spaces, and privately managed parks.

If you have suggestions or questions regarding the event, please contact the board via Association Manager Randi Johnson at: randi DOT johnson AT knappproperties DOT com

The Sun Breaks Through for Our 13th Annual Picnic!

More than 200 Green Meadows West homeowner-members braved cloudy weather and an occasional raindrop at the neighborhood's 13th Annual Picnic in the Park Sun., Sept. 9.

While adults relaxed and listened to live music by Zachary Freedom, kids ran and played on inflatable play equipment—a bounce house shaped like a big barn, and a super giant slide!

There were also colorful face-painting and glittery fake tattoos by the artists at Princesses and Pirates Face Painting!

The Johnston Police Department gave tours of its patrol vehicles, and presented young people with shiny badge stickers! Jedi Master Yoda was on ride-along!

Catering was by Glenda Reiling & Friends, professional rent-a-chef services!

For more photos, visit the Green Meadows West Facebook page here!

Thanks for helping make the Green Meadows West neighborhood a fun and friendly place to live!

Thanks for a Great 10th Annual Picnic-in-the-Park!

Thanks to the more than 300 Green Meadows West neighborhood homeowner-members who participated in the 10th Annual Picnic in the Park event, which was held in Dover Park last week!

While adults relaxed and listened to live music from The Nancy's, kids ran and played on inflatable play equipment, including a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide. There was also volleyball, and face-painting!

The Johnston Fire Department stopped by to give tours of a truck and ambulance. And the Johnston Public Library staff showed off their new pedal-powered Bookmobile! (Or should that be "Bikemobile?")

Catering was by Hy-Vee Foods. Thanks also to event sponsors, Charter Bank and Flooring America!

Check out a few more pictures HERE on the Green Meadows West Homeowners Association Facebook page.

Join Your Neighbors at 10th Annual Picnic Sept. 11!

The 10th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event will be held Sun., Sept. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. The picnic will take place ear the neighborhood’s signature gazebo located on the association’s privately maintained "Dover Park." Other days, the park is available for rental through the association manager.

A free catered barbecue pork or chicken dinner by Hy-Vee will be served to association members and families.

Live music will be provided The Nancy's. Inflatable play equipment for younger children will include a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide. There will also be face-painting.

Volleyball nets and balls will be provided. Or bring your family's favorite yard game!

Sponsors of the event include Charter Bank and Flooring America.

City departments–including fire, police, library, and other personnel–will also be available to meet with Green Meadows West neighbors during the event.

See you there!

Save the date! 2015 'Picnic in the Park' is Sept. 13!

The 9th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event will be held Sun., Sept. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m., near the neighborhood’s signature gazebo located on the association’s privately maintained “Dover Park.” Other days, the park is available for rental through the association manager.

A free catered barbecue pork or chicken dinner by Hy-Vee will be served to association members and families.

Live music will be provided The Black Bird Circus, a pick-up combo featuring local folk, rock, and other artists, headed up by musician Steve Kowbel.

Inflatable play equipment for younger children will include a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide.

Our growing list of sponsors includes: Charter Bank, Flooring America, Jimmy Johns, and Veridian Credit Union.

City leaders and staff–including fire, police, and other personnel–will also be available to meet with Green Meadows West neighbors during the event. Library staff will conduct an interactive story time for younger kids.

See you there!

Firefighters, Professor Fizz Help Deliver Memorable 2014 Picnic

Crisp late-summer temps, partly sunny weather, and neighborly camaraderie combined for a successful 2014 "Picnic-in-the-Park" event for the Green Meadows West Homeowners Association. More than 400 homeowner-members participated in this year's event, which was held in Dover Park last Sunday.

"It's great to see the neighborhood come together every year for this event," says Randy Brown, a 2014 member of the association's board of directors. "We get to spotlight our publicly available private park, complete with gazebo, as one of the benefits of living in Green Meadows West. It also shows how our neighborhood is increasingly connected to area businesses, many of which are within walking and biking distances."

Kids played on inflatable play equipment, including a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide.

The Johnston Fire Department stopped by to give tours of a truck and ambulance, and to hand out stickers. Nearby, Professor Fizz from the Johnston Public Library did experiments and other science-related activities, including the highly entertaining "Smarty Pants Dance."

Catering was by Texas Roadhouse, and live music was provided by The Black Bird Circus.

Sponsors included: Charter Bank, Flooring America, Jimmy John's Sandwiches, Massage Heights, and Regus office services.

For a Facebook photo album of this year's event, click here.

Picnic with Your Neighbors Sun., Sept. 14

Live music, door prizes, inflatable play equipment, and barbecue dinner for association members will be highlights of the 8th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event, Sun., Sept. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event will take place near the neighborhood’s signature gazebo, located on the association’s privately maintained "Dover Park."

Music will be provided The Black Bird Circus, a pick-up combo featuring local folk, rock, and other artists, headed up by musician Steve Kowbel.

Inflatable play equipment for younger children will include a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide.

A catered barbecue pork or chicken dinner, catered by Texas Roadhouse, will be served free to association members and families. Dinner will include chips, cookie, and bottled water. Table service and hand-sanitizer will also be provided.

When signing into the event, be sure to register for door prizes graciously donated by these event sponsors:

• Regus: $750 gift basket of Regus-logo'd golf and office supplies—plus 5 days' office or 2 days' meeting room usage at the Foxboro Square location!

• Flooring America: 4x $50 gift cards to Best Buy!

• Massage Heights: Massage valued at $50!

• Jimmy John's: 2x $10 gift certificates!

City of Johnston elected leaders and professional staff–including fire, police, library, and public works departments–will also be invited to meet with Green Meadows West neighbors during the event.

See you there!

Save the Date: Sept. 14 Will Be Our Annual 'Picnic in the Park'!

The 8th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event will be held Sun., Sept. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m., near the neighborhood’s signature gazebo located on the association’s privately maintained “Dover Park.” Other days, the park is available for rental through the association manager.

There will be live music, and the event will again feature inflatable play equipment for younger children, including a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide. A free catered barbecue dinner will be served to association members and families.

City leaders and staff–including fire, police, library, and public works personnel–will also be invited to meet with Green Meadows West neighbors during the event.

Thanks for Attending Our Annual Picnic!

A few hundred Green Meadows West neighbors braved somewhat blustery weather conditions Sunday afternoon, making the annual "Picnic in the Park" its usual success. The event took place near the gazebo located on the association's "Dover Park."

A free catered barbecue dinner by Texas Roadhouse, Johnson, was served to homeowners' association members and families.

Adults listened to the alternative-country-rock sounds of Polk City band Patterson 216, while kids played on a giant inflatable slide, bounce house, and obstacle course. Staff from Johnston Public Library read stories to the children, while Johnston fire and police personnel visited with kids.

Photographs of the event are posted at the neighborhood's Facebook page here and here. There is also a 30-second panoramic video of the event below. A higher-resolution version is also on Facebook here.

This Sunday, Sept. 15: Our 7th Annual Picnic in the Park!

The 7th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event will be held Sun., Sept. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., near the neighborhood’s signature gazebo located on the association’s privately maintained “Dover Park.” Members are reminded that the publicly accessible private park is available for rental through the association manager.

The event will again feature inflatable play equipment for younger children, including a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide. Johnston police and fire department personnel will visit after 5 p.m.

A free catered barbecue dinner by Texas Roadhouse, Johnson, will be served to association members and families. Menu includes BBQ Chicken Sandwich or BBQ pork sandwich, and chips. Water and cookies are provided by Hy-Vee.

New this year will be performances by Patterson 216, a Polk City-based four-piece band offering “alternative and indie influences that morph into an Alt Country sound with an unmistakable groove.” The group promises to play plenty of covers and “keep it pretty chill.”

 “Like" our neighborhood's Facebook page by Sept. 22, and get an opportunity to win a $25 grocery card!

Save the Date! Annual Picnic is Sept. 15!

Save the date! The 7th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event will be held Sun., Sept. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., near the neighborhood’s signature gazebo located on the association’s privately maintained “Dover Park.” The park is available for rental through the association manager.

The event will again feature inflatable play equipment for younger children, including a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide. A free catered barbecue dinner will be served to association members and families.

New this year will be performances by Patterson 216, a Polk City-based four-piece band offering “alternative and indie influences that morph into an Alt County sound with an unmistakable groove.” The group promises to play plenty of covers and “keep it pretty chill.”

Dates have not yet been announced for the City of Johnston’s 2013 “Night with the Neighbors” outreach program, which includes traveling displays of fire, rescue, construction, and law-enforcement equipment, as well as reading activities led by favorite book characters. This event usually coincides with the neighborhood’s picnic event.

More than 300 Attend Annual Neighborhood Picnic

More than 300 Green Meadows West neighbors participated in the 6th Annual Picnic-in-the-Park Sun., Sept. 9, 2012. Children enjoyed inflatable play equipment, including a bounce house, obstacle course, and giant slide.

 "We started the Picnic-in-the-Park as an annual thank-you to our homeowner-members, and as a showcase of one of the amenities that makes our neighborhood unique in the Greater Des Moines area," says Randy Brown, current president of the homeowners association board. "As a private park that accessible to the public, the gazebo and Dover Park are sort of a 'welcome mat' for our neighborhood. It's used for everything from weddings to soccer practices."

The event coincided with the City of Johnston's 2nd Annual "Night with the Neighbors" program, in which city officials and staff meet with Johnston residents. In addition to Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld, herself a Green Meadows West neighbor, representatives of the fire, police, and public works departments made themselves available for questions and comments.

Each department also brought along equipment for neighborhood children to see up close.

Sponsored by the Johnston Library, the children's storybook character Silly Sally read to children under some of the Dover Park trees.

An album of event photos is available on the Green Meadows West Homeowners Association Facebook page.

Thanks to the Texas Roadhouse (Urbandale-Johnston) for providing the menu of pulled-pork or chicken-breast sandwiches, and chips. The Johnston Hy-Vee provided cookies and bottled water. The Johnston Station Jazz Band provided music.