The Sherman Hill Association, in partnership with the Mickle Center, is proud to announce the Myers Family Fund has made a generous donation towards the construction of our neighborhood’s new park.

This substantial gift, which represents about half of the total fundraising goal, will help facilitate the creation of Sherman Hill’s park at the Mickle Center. In honor of this gift, the park will be named “Myers Park.”

Honoring the Myers Legacy of Philanthropy

The park is named in honor of the philanthropists behind the Myers Family Fund, Lawrence (Larry) E. Myers and Pauline Kay Myers.

Larry dedicated his life to his career, community, and family. He served as president of the Iowa Jewish Home, an institution that once occupied the site of the park at the Mickle Center. (Larry’s son and Sherman Hill resident, Bruce Myers, fondly remembers all the time the family spent there with residents, especially bingo nights.)

Larry’s career with the Nyemaster, Goode, West, Hansell & O’Brien law firm, and his service as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, were complemented by his extensive philanthropic efforts. He was president of the Polk County Bar Association, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Tifereth Israel Synagogue. He was also a founding member of Hospice of Central Iowa and served on the Board of Trustees of the Des Moines Area Religious Council Foundation. His dedication to the Jewish community was recognized when he was named the Jewish Honoree of the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1998.

Kay Myers, Larry’s wife, has also been a prominent figure in the Des Moines community. She served on the board of the Iowa Jewish Home Guild and led fundraising for their Golden Ball event. She also supported the Tifereth Israel Women’s League, and she served as executive director of the Iowa Nurses Association for 20 years. This donation is yet another testament to Kay and her family’s enduring commitment to supporting and improving the lives of those in their community.

Larry and Kay raised three children, Margo, Michael, and Bruce. “My parents worked very hard throughout their lives and have taught us kids the importance of giving back through philanthropy,” said Bruce. “Unfortunately, we lost my dad in 2005, but I’m confident he would be thrilled to have his name associated with this noble cause.”

Bringing Back Sherman Hill’s “Lost” Park

The donation from the Myers Family Fund marks a significant milestone in the effort to bring a park back to the Sherman Hill neighborhood. The original Chamberlain Park, which opened in 1904 at Ingersoll and 19th St., was sold to private developers in 1995.

Once complete, Myers Park will fulfill an effort 30-years in the making, led by the Sherman Hill Association, the Mickle Center, and dedicated volunteers.

Looking Ahead: Fundraising Accelerates to Complete Park

This contribution, coupled with the Sherman Hill Association’s commitment of $25,000, represents significant progress (about 50%) toward the project’s initial fundraising goal.

For more information on how you can help make Myers Park a reality, please visit the Sherman Hill Association’s website and learn more about the project here.