Citizens For Roosevelt Park is a diverse group dedicated to preserving the valued green and community-gathering space at the former Roosevelt school property in central Ames, Iowa.
For nearly 90 years, the grounds of the Roosevelt School have been a community gathering place in Ames. Nestled in a neighborhood of historic “character” homes, the approximately 3.5 acres have continued to serve as a vital and active hub since the closing of Roosevelt School in 2005.
Today commonly referred to as Roosevelt Park by its many visitors, the property is comprised of a large grassy field, a paved basketball pad, a stand of mature trees, a wooden play-structure (which was built by volunteers from the surrounding neighborhoods) in a heavily treed area, the school building, and a paved parking lot. Much of the property is enclosed by metal safety fencing.
Citizens For Roosevelt Park is dedicated to preserving Roosevelt Park for future generations.
(In March 2010, Roosevelt School was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The newly formalized Preserve Roosevelt group is working to ensure this historic school building is simultaneously preserved.)
Roosevelt Park receives frequent use by a variety of stakeholders including:
- families
- youth from community organizations (such as nearby shelters and day-care facilities)
- community soccer leagues
- disabled adults and their caregivers
- homeschoolers
- dog-owners
- local photographers staging family photo shoots
- Summer Sundays concert-goers
- and the list goes on!
Far from being just a neighborhood park, Roosevelt Park attracts visitors from throughout Ames and nearby towns. (A 2012 informal 10-day use survey indicated that more than 20 percent of daily users came from outside the immediate neighborhoods.)
Citizens For Roosevelt Park is a diverse group: young and old, near and far, singles and families with children. Common to us are a sincere interest in and history with the Roosevelt Park property. Join our 200 members today in preserving this community treasure!
Disclaimer: This website and the CFRP initiative are completely volunteer-driven. It is therefore possible that we have made omissions or errors. If so, please do let us know. Co-coordinators Anneke Mundel and Stacey Ross: contact@citizensforrooseveltpark.org.