negotiate a deal with the developers and iron out the details of the development agreement. The historic rocket slide in Des Moines's Union Park is about to blast-off again thanks to some much-needed renovations. vlog Senior Reporter Todd Magel is here with the half million dollar plan to restore the landmark attraction. If you grew up in Des Moines, you or your kids probably played on the rocket slide in Union Park. It's actually called AstroCity by the original manufacturer based in Grinnell. But after more than half a century, it's sliding into old age. If you want to know how important the rocket slide in union park is...ask the experts. (Rutha Wah, 9 ) < I LIKE THE SLIDE OVER THERE. BECAUSE IT'S FUN AND FAST> (Heather Wah, 7 ) <IT WAS KINDA FUN TO GO DOWN THAT SLIDE. SO YOU LIKE THE SLIDE? YEAH> For 53 years, kids like Rutha, Martha and Heather Wah have played on one of Des Moines' most historic landmarks. A Grinnell company designed and sold rockets slides all over the country in the late 1960's and early 70's. Not many are left. <IT'S AN ICONIC LANDMARK IN THE CITY...> City parks director Ben Page says he gets calls all the time from people who say... <PLEASE SAVE THE ROCKET SLIDE. PEOPLE TRAVEL FROM ALL OVER THE MIDWEST JUST TO RIDE THAT SLIDE. > But now it's time to bring the space age playground equipment back to life. Time has taken its toll. The plan is to replace all the corroded metal. Install a new tall slide. re-do the soft surface ground padding. And give the whole thing a new paint job. <PEOPLE LOVE THAT SLIDE. THERE'S SO MUCH EMOTION CONNECTED TO IT. HISTORY. ALL THE MEMORIES IT'S MADE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, FOR 50 PLUS YEARS.> It will cost about 580- thousand dollars for the rehab. The experts say it's worth it. (Martha Wah, 9 ) < IF THEY GET IT FIXED IT WILL BE BRAND NEW SO YOU CAN PLAY ON IT.> Back in 1992 there was talk of tearing down the rocket slide. That didn't happen. The DM city council vote
Long live the rocket slide: Des Moines leaders approve Union Park playground renovation
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Updated: 9:47 PM CST Feb 19, 2024
The historic rocket slide in Des Moines' Union Park is about to blast off again thanks to some much-needed renovations. If you grew up in Des Moines, you're probably familiar with the iconic playground. It’s actually called Astro City by the original manufacturer, Miracle Recreation, which built the original structure in 1971 for a little over $6,000.But after more than half a century, it's sliding into old age. If you want to know how important the rocket slide in Union Park is, ask the experts.“I like the slide because it's fun and fast,” said Rutha Wah, 9, a big fan of the space-age playground equipment. For 53 years, kids like Wah and her sisters have played on one of Des Moines' most historic landmarks. A Grinnell company, Miracle Recreation, designed and sold rocket slides all over the country in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Not many are left.“It's an iconic landmark in the city,” said Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page.Page says he gets calls all the time from people who say they love it.“'Please save the rocket slide,'" Page said he hears. "People travel from all over the Midwest just to ride that slide,” said Page. But now it's time to bring the playground equipment back to life. Time has taken its toll. The plan is to replace all the corroded metal, install a new, taller slide, replace the soft surface ground padding and give the whole thing a new paint job. “People love that slide. There's so much emotion connected to it. History. All the memories it's made after all these years, for 50 plus years,” said Page.Renovation will cost about $580,000.The experts say it's worth it.“If they get it fixed, it will be brand new, so you can play on it,” said Martha Wah, 9. Back in 1992, there was talk of tearing down the rocket slide. That didn't happen.The Des Moines City Council voted to approve the rocket slide renovations Monday night. They hope to have it ready to go by this fall or next spring.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The historic rocket slide in Des Moines' Union Park is about to blast off again thanks to some much-needed renovations.
If you grew up in Des Moines, you're probably familiar with the iconic playground. It’s actually called Astro City by the original manufacturer, Miracle Recreation, which built the original structure in 1971 for a little over $6,000.
But after more than half a century, it's sliding into old age.
If you want to know how important the rocket slide in Union Park is, ask the experts.
“I like the slide because it's fun and fast,” said Rutha Wah, 9, a big fan of the space-age playground equipment.
For 53 years, kids like Wah and her sisters have played on one of Des Moines' most historic landmarks. A Grinnell company, Miracle Recreation, designed and sold rocket slides all over the country in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Not many are left.
“It's an iconic landmark in the city,” said Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page.
Page says he gets calls all the time from people who say they love it.
“'Please save the rocket slide,'" Page said he hears. "People travel from all over the Midwest just to ride that slide,” said Page.
But now it's time to bring the playground equipment back to life. Time has taken its toll. The plan is to replace all the corroded metal, install a new, taller slide, replace the soft surface ground padding and give the whole thing a new paint job.
“People love that slide. There's so much emotion connected to it. History. All the memories it's made after all these years, for 50 plus years,” said Page.
Renovation will cost about $580,000.
The experts say it's worth it.
“If they get it fixed, it will be brand new, so you can play on it,” said Martha Wah, 9.
Back in 1992, there was talk of tearing down the rocket slide. That didn't happen.
The Des Moines City Council voted to approve the rocket slide renovations Monday night. They hope to have it ready to go by this fall or next spring.
