Latest news with #TheraPets
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Des Moines Art Center begins removing Greenwood Pond: Double Site
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Art Center announced on Monday that it would begin removing the nationally celebrated Greenwood Pond: Double Site. In 2024 the art center announced that the outdoor artwork installed in 1966 and created by New York artist Mary Miss would be demolished due to structural and public safety concerns. The art center said the decision to remove the artwork was made because the estimated repair costs were too great and portions of the artwork were unsalvageable. Following the announcement, Miss sued the art center, claiming the art center breached their contract and violated the 1990 Visual Artists Act. The suit temporarily paused the demolition while it went through the court system. A settlement agreement between the art center and Miss was reached in January 2025. Under the agreement, the art center had to pay Miss $900,000 while Miss had to end her efforts to stop the removal of the artwork. Urbandale schools to vote on leaving CIML Monday The art center announced that it would begin the process for removing Greenwood Pond: Double Site on Monday. According to the art center, during the duration of the removal the pond will be drained and the area surrounding the artwork will be blocked off. Once work is complete the pond will be refilled and restocked. The art center will also re-seed the area of the artwork with grass, restore the gravel pathways, reinforce the pond's shoreline on the northwest side, and install limestone benches and stone parking bollards. The art center said no taxpayer or public funds will be used for the removal of the artwork. 'The City of Des Moines is committed to working alongside the community, neighborhood associations, and key stakeholders to explore future possibilities for Greenwood Park,' the City of Des Moines said. 'This process will incorporate public input to ensure that future improvements reflect the needs and vision of our residents. Any potential improvements will rely on private and grant funding due to budget constraints. As we move forward, Des Moines Parks and Recreation remains dedicated to our mission of helping Des Moines live well, play hard, and protect the earth.' Metro News: Des Moines Art Center begins removing Greenwood Pond: Double Site Urbandale schools to vote on leaving CIML Monday Fleeing car crashes into Des Moines ministry building Monday, police say Scholastic Spotlight: Shuler Elementary's Tech Squad Bunnies in the library, TheraPets sensory friendly day Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bunnies in the library, TheraPets sensory friendly day
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Two special friends were at the West Des Moines Library on Sunday as part of the ARL of Iowa's TheraPets program. Sensory Spaces are metro libraries offering special activities and spaces for members of the public who appreciate a sensory friendly environment this can include quiet browsing, special programs, and similar adaptive services. Along with the West Des Moines library, Grimes, Johnston, Urbandale, and Waukee all participate in TheraPets, which usually occur a few times a year. Megan Matamoros, ARL of Iowa Director of Shelter Operations, brought bunnies Renaldo and Lola to the library Sunday. 'I've had them part of the team for about three years, and we go to different libraries, hospitals and memory care clinics throughout the metro area. And we spend time with people, newborns, all the way up to elderly,' said Matamoros. Rain barrel workshop encourages environmentally friendly practices Matamoros says all TheraPets go through evaluations to make sure they are behaviorally compatible and receive regular veterinary check-ups to ensure they are safe for their visitors. Matamoros helped get TheraPets up and running and say's the bunnies with her Sunday are a huge part of that journey. 'I realized, I found Lola in the shelter, and she just had a really calm demeanor about her,' said Matamoros. 'I figured that she would be great to bring that therapeutic aspect that animals bring to people to bring it around.' Maggie Martin, West Des Moines Library Information Coordinator, has worked to bring inclusion to the library and says events like this help bring more readers and curious minds to the library. 'I think seeing that human and animal bond was really exciting, and people read books to the animals today,' said Martin 'The bunnies that were here and just seeing the joy on people's faces as they would come and go from the room was just, just wonderful.' To learn more about TheraPets you can visits the ARL of Iowa's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
