24-02-2025
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.
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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.'
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