Des Moines Parks and Recreation is considering a $1.73 million renovation of Birdland Sports Complex.
The complex currently includes facilities that serve the recreational needs of the Des Moines north side area and the city as a whole.
However, the current state of the complex is less than ideal. The number of basketball courts in Des Moines is below the national average, with dilapidated tennis courts unable to support the sport’s growing popularity and current pickleball craze.
With a series of improvements, Des Moines Parks and Recreation hopes to keep Birdland up to date and serving the community that uses the park.
“Birdland Sports Park can accommodate 2,588 people within a 10-minute walk of the park,” Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said in an email to the Register. “However, the courts at Birdland Sports Park are unique in that they can support large groups, events and programs, as well as complementary improvements such as sports court lighting that greatly extends accessibility and program times. It is considered an attraction for the public.”
The Des Moines City Council on Nov. 6 approved bids for a series of improvements to the Birdland Sports Complex. This means the project will need to be approved again by the Des Moines City Council.
Pending approvals, the project is expected to break ground in spring 2024 and be completed by summer 2025.
Birdland’s current facilities:
- Birdland Pool
- 5 tennis and pickleball courts
- mini pitch futsal court
- toilet
- picnic table
- bench
- Natural grass field
After an evaluation, Des Moines Parks and Recreation determined that Birdland needed some updates.
“One of the ways we look at park improvements is by using ParkScore, a national metric by the Trust for Public Land,” Page said. “As we continue to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is important that our parks feature park amenities that reflect the interests of the neighborhoods and park users that surround them. is.
See how Des Moines scores on ParkScore’s criteria here.
Improvements coming to Birdland:
- Removal of five existing tennis courts, supports, lighting, scaffolding, fences, drainage channels, and surrounding concrete sidewalks.
- 7 new tennis courts with high performance coatings/surfaces, netting and stripping for tennis and pickleball
- 2 basketball courts with hoops, backboards and stripes
- new boundary fence
- LED sports lighting installed on all tennis and basketball courts.
- ADA compliant sidewalks
- Site leveling and rainwater drainage system
- General landscape restoration
Why is Birdland being updated now?
According to ParkScore, Des Moines has a below average number of basketball courts per capita.
“According to aggregated data, Des Moines is in the bottom 20% of basketball hoops provided per capita,” Page said. “Currently, each basketball hoop in Des Moines Park is used by more than 4,100 residents, which equates to 2.4 hoops per 20,000 residents.”
Adding a basketball court will increase the number of people who can play in the Des Moines metro.
Additionally, Birdland’s tennis courts are in disrepair, and Page says there are no records showing how old they actually are.
“Unfortunately, our aerial photography files do not date back to before 1930, so we have no way of knowing how old it is, nor do we know how many times it has been repaired or rebuilt.” He said. “…It’s safe to say that these courthouses are historically important to our park system.”
With plans to completely renovate its courts, Des Moines is catching up to the pickleball craze that’s spreading across the country.
What will happen to pickleball?
Adding to the current state of tennis courts, pickleball is taking the nation by storm. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the number of people playing pickleball has increased by 159% in his three years, reaching 8.9 million in 2022.
“We’re seeing the same demands here in Des Moines,” Page said. “Through observations from the field (park), increased participation in pickleball leagues, and contact with staff and players.”
Pickleball is a growing sport, with courts popping up in indoor and outdoor courts throughout the Des Moines metro. More recently, Merle Hay Mall and Southridge Mall are the fruits of the pickleball movement.
“Subject to City Council approval, we will soon be putting out bids for more freestanding pickleball courts at Stone Park this winter,” Page said. “However, it is important to note that all 56 of his tennis courts within the park are striped for both tennis and pickleball.”
What Birdland wants to offer:
By renovating the Birdland Sports Complex, Des Moines Parks and Recreation hopes to bring a new sense of community to Birdland and all that it encompasses.
“The north side of Des Moines has always been proud of its parks,” Page said. “Many North High School student-athletes not only began their tennis, basketball, soccer, and swimming careers at Birdland Park, but also use this park to continue their careers into high school. Keeping kids involved in activities is a proven way to stay healthy.” Children are on the path to success. ”
Kyle Warner is a reporter for the Register. Please contact kwerner@dmreg.com.