Ashby Park — Attraction in Des Moines

Never again. My family was harassed and surveilled at Ashby Park and the community deserves to know.We arrived at 6:30 PM, well before the posted 10 PM closing time, planning to grill and let our kids play. Other families were at the park, but our group myself (a Black woman), my white spouse, our friend, and our children were the only one singled out and monitored.First, an uniformed man with a dog walked slowly by, watching us closely. He returned a short time later and sat near us, silently observing. Then a second uniformed staff member arrived, walked a slow circle around our picnic table, and also sat down nearby, continuing the pattern of unwanted scrutiny. Eventually, the staff member said, “Sundown’s coming,” and told us he was “locking everything up,” warning we only had a few minutes to grill despite having just arrived. The park was still open, and no other group was approached.As we continued enjoying what little time we had left, a white SUV sat parked watching us the entire time, not engaging, just watching. It pulled off the moment we began packing up to leave and immediately after, the same staff member pulled in again.We weren’t loud, we weren’t breaking rules. We were a peaceful family at a public park. But from the moment we arrived, we were surveilled, intimidated, and clearly made to feel we didn’t belong.This wasn’t just uncomfortable it felt deliberate.I do not recommend Ashby Park to Black families or interracial couples/ families, especially near sundown. What happened tonight was not equal treatment. It was a clear message: this space may be public, but it is not equally...

There are more people in America that are taking life for Granted, they want more than what they could pay for. I know people that owned more SHOES, BLUE JEANS, and there's clothes in the closet that still has tags on it. questions, why 500 pair of shoes when you only has two feet, why so much clothes in the closet if you're not using it. If you spend all that money teaching your children to respect their elders, teach them not to call their parents names, the reason you all arguing about the bills don't get paid, and lost their place of living...OPEN UP YOU CLOSET, COUNT HOW MANY Pairs OF SHOES...

I really enjoyed this play area for kids although the lady who was in charge of the place and many moms almost hot into it on my visit. I understand the rules they are posted on a sign besides the splash pad but I also understand kids can't control their energy and have the need to run. Maybe if the lady who is securing the location came of a bit more nicer there wouldn't be soo many problems. Running full speed should stop but lightly running on the sprinklers I think should be okay... but...