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!

Neighborhood Prairie Burn to Continue Tues., March 31

Stantec, Inc. professionals conducted a partial prairie burn along Foxboro Road earlier today, Mon., March 30. They'll continue to monitor wind and humidity conditions for safety, and plan to begin work again approximately 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, Tues., March 31. PHOTO: DeAnn Lee

The Green Meadows West Homeowners’ Association board has retained environmental consultants Stantec, Inc. to manage and conduct a prescribed burn of prairie restoration areas this spring.

The areas affected include the main prairie east of Windsor Park and west of Foxboro Road; a small area southwest of the intersection of Foxboro Road and Chambery Boulevard; and a newer area south of Weybridge Court and east of Kings Row, which was created after the City of Johnston cleared an area to improve storm water run-off.

Stantec conducted a similar burn on behalf of the homeowners’ association in 2012. Prior to that, burns were conducted using a mix of expert consultants and volunteer labor. Volunteers are no longer used, due to training requirements and liability concerns.

"Prescribed fire is a common prairie management tool,” notes Green Meadows West prairie committee chairman Greg Knoploh. “Prairie species benefit from fire, which was common when most of Iowa was covered by prairie. The fire turns the dried plant material into ashes, which fertilizes. Increased light and heat reach the surface. Invasive plants that do not tolerate fire are reduced."

In addition to serving as a neighborhood showcase, the Green Meadows West prairies serve as visual buffer areas among homes, as wildlife habitat, and even as occasional learning laboratories for area schools and colleges.

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.

Plan for a Safe and Secure Holiday Season!

As holiday vacations and observances approach, remember to plan ahead for the safety of your family and property. Here are few helpful reminders regarding decorations and preparations:

• Do not hang lighting or signs on association property, including streetlamp posts. Tape and other materials cause damage to paint, increasing your association's maintenance costs.

• Do not leave candles lit for long periods unobserved.

• Ensure fire extinguishers in your home are charged and well-maintained. Place them within reach but outside of stovetop and other high-risk areas. Test smoke alarms, and change batteries as needed. 

• If you and your family are leaving your home for an extended time, use lamp timers to make the house appear occupied in your absence. Request a "mail hold" from the U.S. Postal Service, so that mail doesn't stack up. Advise your neighbors that you may be out of town, so they can watch your house. Arrange for someone to pick up package deliveries, or to clear your driveway and sidewalks if it snows. Using a "vacation watch" form, you even also request the Johnston Police Department make occasional and random trips past your house.

• Finally, if you're traveling by car, make sure to pack a winter weather survival kit. Include items such as blankets, snow shovels, ice scrapers, cell phone chargers, and flashlights for use in roadside emergencies.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Help Prevent Home Fires and Injuries with a Few Simple Steps

Green Meadows West neighbors are encouraged to review fire safety plans and preparations during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, 2013. In 2008, a house in the neighborhood's Plat 9 was destroyed by fire, killing one person.

 Here are some quick projects to help make your family safer:

• Replace smoke alarm batteries and test alarms. 
• Install new or inspect existing fire extinguishers. 
• Make, practice, and review fire-escape plans with children. 

Established by President Calvin Coolidge in 1911, National Fire Prevention Week annually commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

This year's National Fire Prevention Week theme focuses on kitchen safety, including cooking, scald prevention, and microwave oven safety. A 50-second on-line video starring Sparky the Fire Dog and his Aunt Dotty discusses kitchen safety here.

The National Fire Prevention Association, Quincy, Mass., also offers many free resources for educators, safety professionals, and families—including free apps and e-books for kids! For a video describing the apps, click here.

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.

Two Roundabouts Go Into Service Sept. 22

Green Meadows West neighbors and other Johnston drivers will get their first opportunities to drive through two of four planned roundabouts on N.W. 62nd Avenue starting Sat., Sept. 22. The major east-west artery runs along the neighborhood's northern boundary.

The city's $7 million road construction project is intended to smooth traffic flow and decrease the severity of accidents along the corridor, which serves activities such as Wallace Elementary, Johnston High School and Middle School, Pioneer Hi-Bred, and the Johnston Fire Department, as well as the Green Meadows West neighborhood. Much of the cost of the project will be paid through state grants. 

The first roundabouts to become operational are most likely those located at the entrance of the Du Pont/Pioneer Hi-Bred main campus and the N.W. 62nd Ave. intersection with Pioneer Parkway. Two other roundabouts remain to be completed, including one into a newly constructed Pioneer Hi-Bred building. The building will be occupied later in 2013. The latter roundabout will incorporate a sidewalk/trail connection into the Green Meadows West neighborhood, but the homeowners' association declined to make a road connection to Foxboro Road.

"The association will be granting a construction easement in the vicinity of Briargate Court for the purposes of extending a bike and walking trail from N.W. 62nd Ave. to Foxboro Road, and likely a permanent easement for the trail itself," says Vice President and Grounds and Property Chairman Jack Sullivan. "We've been working with our Briargate neighbors, Pioneer Hi-Bred, the City of Johnston, and Foth Engineering to ensure that the project maintains privacy and aesthetics as much as possible."

The easement will not allow future construction of a road, Sullivan says. The association plans to help landscape areas that will be bermed up to increase privacy from the trail, as well as potentially light pollution from passing headlights.

According to a recently published construction update, the city anticipates that all work will be done prior to the end of October 2012, barring unforeseen weather, utility, or other delays. The project was originally forecast to be completed by October 2013, but work was conducted ahead of schedule due to mild winter and dry summer conditions.

For a PDF file describing how to walk and drive on roundabouts, click here.

For a Johnston Patch news report on the roundabouts, click here.

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.