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Historic Iowa park to be restored

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January 29th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines park that for decades drew thousands of people for its amusement park rides, music and dancing is set to return. The Des Moines Register reports that Riverview Park advocates have announced $4 million in funding that will pay for an outdoor concert venue and other features.

The Parks Area Foundation is a nonprofit formed by residents of the north-side Oak Park, Highland Park and Union Park neighborhoods and has been the driving force behind the park restoration project. The group has raised $750,000 by flipping burgers and selling hot dogs during summer gatherings. It also secured financial support from the city of Des Moines, Polk County and Prairie Meadows.

The park opened in 1915 and was modeled after Brooklyn’s Coney Island. It closed in 1978.