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

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!

12th Annual 'Picnic in the Park' is Sunday!

The 12th Annual Green Meadows West “Picnic in the Park” event will be held Sun., Sept. 9, 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 breast sandwich dinner by Hy-Vee will be served to association members and families.

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

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

See you there!

Join Us Sept. 10 for 'Picnic in the Park' 2017!

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!

Thanks for a Great 2015 Picnic-in-the-Park!

Thanks to the more than 300 Green Meadows West neighborhood homeowner-members who participated in the 9th Annual Picnic in the Park event, which was held in Dover Park last Sunday.

While adults relaxed and listened to live music from The Black Bird Circus, kids ran and 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 Mayor Paula Dierenfeld addressed the crowd.

Catering was by Hy-Vee Foods. Thanks also to event sponsors Charter Bank and Flooring America. Door prizes were donated by Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches and Veridian Credit Union.

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.