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5/25/2016

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The Fore Our Parks! event will take place on Friday, June 17 at 1 p.m. at Waveland Golf Course. Participants have the option to play in a golf tournament or go on a bike ride.

As Americans, we love choices. Whether it’s in the buffet line, on the couch clicking through channels on a lazy Sunday afternoon or picking out that perfect pair of slacks for the golf tournament, we want optionas, and plenty of them.

The Friends of Des Moines Parks Board understands that one is good, but two is even better. So with that in mind, the board decided that, after two years of holding steady with one option for its annual Fore Our Parks! event, it was time to open things up a bit for this year’s version, which will be held on June 17 beginning at 1 p.m. at Waveland Golf Course with a four-person best ball tournament.

The procedure is easy: Come to Waveland Golf Course ready to golf, ride and have some fun. The Friends will even provide registered riders with two $5 coupons good for food or beverages the day of the event at four restaurants/bars along the route.

This year, if 18 holes on the golf course isn’t your style, it doesn’t matter. How does 18 miles on a bicycle sound?

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“This is our first year with an optional bike ride,” said Carl Voss, Friends of the Des Moines Parks Board member. “While the golfers are playing a round of 18 holes, we’ll be enjoying 18 miles of a bike ride.”

The bike ride will begin at 3 p.m.

And there’s more. Choices, that is. In addition to the golfing and riding, there will be plenty of fun events around the greens and tee boxes, including bags, basketball hoops and other silly and fun challenges. Voss claims that people have told him that this is the most fun charity golf outing in the metro, and there’s no reason to believe otherwise.

Voss said he joined Friends this year, but he is no stranger to the biking community, his sport of choice, havng been biking in Des Moines since 1971. The opportunity to give back to something that has given him so much during the decades was a no-brainer.

Fore Our Parks! is a charity event that began as a way to raise funds for the parks and recreation department’s efforts. The department’s budget doesn’t cover everything that is needed to maintain the 76 parks and 78 miles of trails in Des Moines, Voss said, and the event is a way to raise money and help close the gap. Without outdoor amenities as such, Voss said, the city would suffer.

“Both (parks and trails) are key elements of neighborhood vitality and quality of life in the city,” Voss said.

Voss and thousands of other central Iowans agree that the area’s trail system is extraordinary and should be appreciated, and thus, maintained.

“When my circle of friends talk about what makes Des Moines such a great place to live, someone always jumps in with trails and the fabulous trails network,” Voss said. “This charity event is a great opportunity to celebrate the trails with friends and make sure the network remains vital.” CV

 

The Fore Our Parks! event will take place on Friday, June 17 at 1 p.m. at Waveland Golf Course. Participants have the option to play in a golf tournament or go on a bike ride.

 

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