DES MOINES, Iowa — The Woodland Realm, a community garden located just west of downtown Des Moines, is experiencing pushback from the city after complaints filed by neighbors.
What was once a piece of land turned into a garden — and now, it's the site of a much larger effort.
This urban community garden started in 2020.
"It really brought a lot of neighbors together, like actually talking to each other and getting to know each other, so I think it has a lot of aspects in community building," community member April Clark said. "Just like getting to sit down at a table and meet your neighbors and enjoy meals, like, it's a magical experience."
In July, The Woodland Realm got a zoning notice for an infrastructure requirement after a neighbor filed a complaint saying it looked like a homeless camp.
These requirements now require The Realm to build a fence, a shed and have proper signage.
"You know, having all that support from people who actually live here and walk here and know this space, and then having some citizens that don't even live in this neighborhood, aren't familiar with this space, they're making a judgement on one drive by. [They're} making an assessment on that and, you know, shutting something down that a lot of people find joy and happiness in, that's really frustrating and I don't think that's really fair," Ryan Francois said, owner of The Woodland Realm.
Francois tried to request a conditional permit for him to hold events, however that was denied by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Now, The Realm can only have two special events per year.
"I really haven't heard any negative feedback directly, so I didn't think it would be an issue going before this board and asking for approval," Francois said.
For the next year, The Realm hopes to continue doing what they can, but in a scaled back manner, until they can re-apply for a Conditional Use Permit.