Working together toward vibrant, just, central Iowa communities
“In the Public Interest Award”
City of Des Moines
– Parks & Recreation Department
Annually, the Association honors an individual, a local government or an intergovernmental project that best demonstrates the aggressive pursuit of efficiency over the past year.
The purpose of the award is to recognition cost-saving, innovation, collaboration, and creativity within public-sector organizations.
Why Des Moines Parks and Recreation was recognized:
DMPR maintained services while facing a $4,000,000 reduction in operating funds and experiencing a 400% increase in park utilization during the pandemic.
Competitively bid new management contract at the three municipal golf courses: annual savings of $600,000 and capital improvements of $1,000,000 provided by contractor.
Outsourced parkland mowing over a decade ago: Average savings realized: over $1,000,000 annually.
Over 10,000 volunteers donated more than 81,000 hours of service (valued at more than $2,000,000) in the past three years
