Programs, Services & Entertainment

Activities for Teens (22 Responses)

• Need:

o Activities for teens after school, weekends, summer, throughout winter
o Sports for 7th graders
o More options for teen socializing
o More Community Education classes
o Community clubs
o Recreational intramural sports
o Iowa leadership event

• Address decline in sports participation from 9th to 10th grades

Community Activities (15 Responses)

• Need:

o High quality entertainment
o City/regional playhouse
o Big community event
o More cultural activities
o Outside ice skating
o Affordable family entertainment
o More movie theaters
o Professional sports
o Fun things – not just learning
o Combination family/senior adult programs

• Promote arts

Growth (7 Responses)

• Need more sessions in programs (swimming lessons) and Community Education for kids
• Need programs and services for people of other races, cultures, nations
• Need restaurants that are accessible
• People not going to Des Moines because suburbs “have it all”

Programs and Services (7 Responses)

Need:
• English classes and interpreters
• Moderately priced opportunities for families with low income without embarrassment of needing “scholarships”
• Nutrition training for kids and parents
• Readily available parent education

Communications and Engagement (6 Responses)

• Need better communication about events, opportunities and available resources
• Engage childless households

Collaboration (3 Responses)

• Offer joint programs between cities and schools
• Utilize citizen talent
• Need centralized community volunteer network

Young Adults (3 Responses)

Need more:
• Activities
• Clubs (biking, running, walking)
• Healthy recreation