Cohen Park
Interactive Park Map
About the Location
A Newly Renovated Urban Oasis
Cohen Park is a small neighborhood park located just south of the East Village area. The park underwent significant improvements and renovations in 2023-2024, transforming it into a unique recreational space for the community.
Climbing Adventures
One of the standout features of Cohen Park is its bouldering area, which consists of three artificial cement boulders. These boulders are designed to cater to both beginners trying bouldering for the first time and more experienced climbers looking to improve their skills.
The bouldering area has a woodchip ground cover for safety, though the use of crash pads is recommended.
Interactive Sports Technology
The park features an interactive Sutu wall, a high-tech play feature manufactured by Yalp, a Dutch company. This wall contains 16 illuminated LED panels that can detect ball contact through vibration sensors, making it suitable for various sports like soccer, tennis, and basketball.
The Sutu wall comes with an online app that tracks available games, playing times, and number of games played.
Recreation Facilities
Cohen Park includes a half basketball court that shares space with the Sutu wall, maximizing the use of the small park area.
Historical Elements
The park houses a refurbished and relocated historical Ensign Fountain, which was originally donated to Des Moines in 1906 and placed in the park in 1915. This fountain, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976, runs continuously and serves as a water source for local residents.
Environmental Integration
The park's recent renovations incorporated integrated park and floodwater improvements, demonstrating a collaboration between the city's Public Works Department and Parks and Recreation Department. These enhancements aim to make the park more inclusive and accessible to all community members.
