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contact your local realtor for information on monies available for home
purchase and home remodeling (NFC/DIF programs.
Connect with the Gray's Woods Neighborhood Association NEIGHBORS, like
yourself, and promote community spirit, pride, and safety.
GWNA is a volunteer not-for-profit organization within the City of Des
Moines, Polk County, Iowa, United States of America. Meetings are
public and held quarterly - 2nd Tuesday.
Next Meetings: March 11, 2008-
May 13, 2008-
August 5, 2008-
October 14, 2008-
Established in 1996, GWNA is a non-profit, tax exempt, charitable organization made up of volunteers. It is a separate entity and it is not affiliated with the City of Des Moines or the State of Iowa. GWNA serves as a gateway to the east-side. The boundaries are formed by Easton Bouldevard on the north; E. University on the south; E. 33rd Street on the west; and the Des Moines corporate limit as the eastern edge.
GWNA Mission Statement: The purpose of the organization is to enhance the quality of life in the Gray's Woods community by providing information on issues of concern to our neighbors, improving neighborhood appearance and promoting safety.
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In March 1999, the Des Moines City Council and Polk County Board of Supervisors approved a Neighborhood Action Plan to identify issues and goals to enable GWNA to become part of the City's Neighborhood Revitalization Program. The goals emphasized community enhancement, business development, housing and infrastructure rehabiilitation.
You Can Make A Difference:
Gray's Woods is a strong, active neighborhood association. It consists of a group of thoughtful, committed citizens out to make a positive change in our neighborhood. Residents can make the community a better place to live by representing your specific area of the neighborhood at our meetings. We help educate residents about crime, safety, housing and environmental issues by inviting institutions to our meetings. Join us and make your voice heard.
No membership dues.
AREA ATTRACTIONS include:
The two-mile Recreational Trail that starts
on Easton and East 37th and travels across East Williams Street to East
University in Pleasant Hill. Bike, hike, roller-blade with
the kids. This excellent exercise trail is already
completed in our neighborhood, and will eventually be connected to form
a 110 mile trail.
Strasser Woods State Wildlife Preserve is 40 acres that
includes a Hiking Trail. Strasser
Woods is part of the State of Iowa's Department of Natural Resources. A
parking lot is available at East 36th Street (north off East University
- north of Dubuque). Access is through the entrance at East 36th Street
or off the Recreational Trail (south of the Easton Blvd.).
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The population of the Gray's Woods area is of all age groups.
Lots of families with relatives that live close by. We are minutes from
shopping for groceries, department stores, other services, various
types of restaurants, and entertainment activities such as Copper Creek
Public Golf Course, Adventureland Amusement Rides & Park, White
Water University - water rides & swimming park, and Sleepy Hollow
Sports Park.
The interstate is close by, along with the I-235 / I-80 access.
Gray's Woods
Neighborhood, now a middle class
neighborhood, was once the mecca for Des Moines' social elite.
Following contains neighborhood Historical background information of
interest.
One of the drive-by must-see houses includes:
Oakwood Estate, the heart of Gray's Woods
historical house significance, lies at 3320 Kinsey Ave. In
October 1999, the Gray's Woods neighborhood association sponsored the
first and only tour of this historic mansion (A BIG THANK YOU to the
owner.).
The three story mansion was owned by James Sansom Carpenter from 1906
to the time of Carpenter's death in 1939. Carpenter and his wife
Florence were the Gurus of art in Des Moines. The home was
a salon for visiting artists from all around the world. Visiting
royalty came to see the Carpenters' huge art collection which was
pronounced the best collection of modern art in America. Carpenter
was instrumental in forming the Des Moines Association of Art which
evolved into the Des Moines Art Center.
The inside rooms have been completely renovated by the current owner in
the last few years. The current owner has filled the 19 rooms
with antique furniture, antiques, and EXOTIC wild animal trophy heads
that have a historical value, much as the house and grounds. Many, many
hours of work were put into the restoration of the property to reveal
the oak woodwork and to install the planting of flowers and shrubs in
the outside grounds.
| Historical House - Oakwood Estate |
The Carpenters' owned, among hundreds of
other pieces of art, dozens of Davinci etchings.
A self portrait of Davinci is shown. |
Gray's Woods
Neighborhood Association says "THANK YOU"
to the local small business owners for their never-ending financial
sponsorship and personal time that each has committed to making our
neighborhood a
"great neighborhood".
Each business offers a unique service!! Visit to
show your support - spend your dollars on the eastside.
Ellefson's Free Medical Clinics, phone: 515 -266-7622
Now or Later Restaurant & Lounge, 3750 East
University, Des Moines
phone: 515 - 266 - 9777
great food and spirits - Steaks, Seafood & Pasta, American Menu
dine in or carry out.
stop in for a "quick one" at lunch or dinner and meet John Moehle
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Gray's Woods Neighborhood has one of
the most rustic atmospheres in the city.
Location - - Location - - Location - - Location - - Location
A focal point of the Gray's Woods neighborhood are the many large
white oak trees and red oak trees.
There are over 1,200 homes, many on big, old lots, - - - and - - - with
the wildlife preserve, all this wraps up to provide a rural feel to the
area.
As a team, the Gray's Woods neighbors are working with the city and
county staff to improve the infrastructure. Currently, the city public
works department crews have finished all sidewalks repaired and interim asphalt base surface of over 5 miles at no additional individual cost to
the property owners. br>
The public planning meetings are held for revitalization. City
Neighborhood Planners are continuing to focus on the infrastructure
items. Neighborhood
beautification along Easton & East 33rd as boundaries to our
neighborhood. Also, concentration on providing opportunities for infill
development.
Further implementation of our Goals will be highlighted.
The
Creedmoor Civic Association, Inc. is an
organization dedicated to keeping and improving the quality of life in
the neighborhood in which it serves. We are located in Bellerose in
Queens, New York City.Our boundaries are: Moline Street to the west,
88th Avenue to the north, the Cross Island Parkway service road to the
east, and Braddock Avenue to the south.Click the link to see our web
page.
http://www.oocities.org/creedcivic
http://www.oocities.org/creedcivic/othercivics1.htm
| Can't find the meeting location - get
directions. |
Who to
Contact:
Gray's Woods Neighbors mail to: P.O. Box 57262, Des
Moines, Iowa 50317
web site contact: www.oocities.org/grayswoods
e-mail to: grayswoods@yahoo.com
Need to know your interests.
Suggestions from Neighbors for future meetings.
Please e-mail to grayswoods@yahoo.com.
I-235 cleanup is twice a year. One mile by Garfield
school. Next - be at Garton School parking lot. Next will be on Oct -
2008 at 7:45a.m. for 2 hours. It's a Saturday. Bring
gloves. Garbage bags will be supplied.
SCRUB - free dumpster day is April 2008 through October 2008. Two new locations 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. tires, trash, & appliances (No charge for 2008!!!!! on appliances) to 4198 Delaware Avenue - City of Des Moines Transfer Station and the Yard Waste to 1601 Harriett Street - City of Des Moines Compost Facility.
Robert L. Scott (4-Mile) Community Center with public
activities inside & outside located at 3711 Easton Blvd.
Iowa State Fair during August each year. This is one of the
largest fairs operating today with great grandstand entertainment in
the form of concerts, car racing, & lots more.. ... Check out their
web page.
The Iowa State Fairgrounds are used all year long for numerous
activities.
Des Moines Neighbors - Resource Center web site - just started -
web page: www.dmneighbors.org
Contact Ami e-mail at dmneighbors1@aol.com
phone: 280-1807 sign up for established neighborhoods free computer
classes
N.A.R.C. - Neighborhood Area Resource Coordinating Team - 237-1565
Report Dumping to Public
Works - 283-4595
Neighborhood Revitalization Board /
Neighborhood Finance Corporation - contact Joni Norman 246-0010
DIF Program at Iowa State Bank - contact any location
-
Des Moines Schools - Public -
Stowe Elementary K to 5th and Brubaker Elementary
Close to Hoyt Middle School (6th to 8th grades)
East Des Moines High School
Various Church-operated schools
e-mail comments or suggestions for page information to
grayswoods@yahoo.com
Other
COMMUNITY information on Des Moines' EAST Side.
The view to the east. (part of the Des Moines Sunday Article dated
9/17/00) Thanks.
THE VIEW TO THE EAST - - - DES MOINES.
The east side of Des Moines is special. If you're an east-side native,
you already knew that. If you remember Lee Township, you always
believed it. If you've never ventured to the east side, you've been
missing something.
Many of the gems of Iowa are on the east side of Des Moines. The state
Capitol sits on a hill on the east side, while the State Fairgrounds
are located several miles away. The Iowa State Historical Building is
nestled among the state office buildings and the Capitol. The major
halls of city government and federal justice are on the east side. The
Botanical Center is tucked in a pleasant setting on the east side. For
runners and bikers who pay attention, even the majestic bald eagles
seem to stretch their wings closer to the city's east side.
There's more. A trendy bookstore has a view that the major bookstore
chains can only imagine. A plush and green golf course is a golfer's
paradise. An ice-skating rink brings families from around central Iowa.
For those who like to reminisce while introducing their own children to
a timeless delight, the east side has a restored carousel in scenic
Union Park.
The prevailing perception is that the west side is where it's all at.
But there's another part of the metro area with surprising amenities
that cannot be found anywhere else. With places like the Latin King
Restaurant, Laos Restaurant, the Olympic Flame, Los Laureles and A
Taste of Thailand, the east side has an interesting variety of
restaurants without the sameness of the franchised restaurants in the
western suburbs.
All this and more is what makes the EAST side special!!!!
When it comes to water sports, go to the east side and Birdland Marina.
There the Drake University Rowing Club has assembled, with the help of
the city of Des Moines, a rowing club complex that is the envy of other
cities.
The Simon Estes Amphitheater can be the most picturesque place in town
on a warm summer night as the sun sets in the west. When the jazz
guitarist hits the right note as the Des Moines River in the background
glistens with reflections, it's spellbinding.
There are some pleasant surprises on the east side, individual diamonds
amid the rough of an area that is old but not outdated.
The East side does need growth. It would be even better if that growth
could be accomplished while retaining the character and flavor of the
EAST Side.
