Des Moines Sun

LiveDSM, Des Moines Parks and Recreation's comprehensive plan, has been awarded the Advancing Diversity and Social Change Award Award from the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Honor Award (Planning and Analysis category) from the Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

LiveDSM is Des Moines Parks and Recreation's first long-range plan in more than 20 years. Its goal is to inspire the next generation of parks and open spaces. 

“We will realize the vision of LiveDSM through the park and recreation plans, partnerships and policy directions as outlined in this plan," Benjamin R Page, director of Parks and Recreation, said in a release. "The work ahead, though wide-ranging, is unified by the vision of transforming lives for the better and the intent to build and sustain a world-class parks and recreation system. Implementing LiveDSM will lead to a system shaped by attention to equity, health, nature and social connections. This focus will deliver fair use of resources, high-quality parks and trails, neighborhood enrichment, better urban design and more engaging programs, while also activating waterways, improving natural areas and making places people want to visit. These are quality-of-living  outcomes.”

One of LiveDSM's goals is to provide equally accessible facilities and recreation programs to all communities regardless of income level, ethnicity, gender, ability or age.