Those seemingly unfriendly "Closed" and "Keep Out" signs appear limitlessly at Des Moines waterfront. Yellow caution tape, orange traffic cones and wire fences are plentiful in the Marina and Beach Park. What happened to "You're Welcome Here - Come-On In!"

What is puzzling is why both of these high-use neighboring recreation properties are literally closed to public use at the very same time.

Marina work is part of the master plan. Beach Park public facilities use has been restricted to limited activities for years, with the exception of kid's summer Camp KHAOS.

Even Field House property is torn up, extending a ball field and cutting down a stately old tree that provided shade and meaning for decades.

Des Moines Creek Trail, opened for use this summer, is now posted "Closed" for construction and expected to stay closed to early 2010.

With summer temperatures over 100 degrees, a huge rock near the creek in the shade of untouched native trees was heavenly.

When Beach Park was declared a Federal Historic Site a few years ago a sizeable grant of federal money accompanied it to help maintain buildings. It's rumored to be about $250,000.

Patrice Thorell, Parks, Recreation and Senior Services director reports, "Des Moines Trail completion is planned for late February, Beach Park Auditorium will be under construction for another eight months starting Nov. 16th, the dining hall is slated for construction in the fall of 2010 (See photo on page 9,) after Des Moines Creek dredging."

Completion of Sun Home Lodge and covered picnic shelter projects have been moved out to future years, due to lack of real estate excise tax collections associated with reduced property sales.

However, city council members asked for modest repairs to restore use of those two facilities earlier.

"Park benches will be removed, protected, and replaced at the same or nearby location. Park projects are funded with city, county, state, federal grants and appropriations. The City's intent is to restore Des Moines Beach Park National Historic District as a premiere waterfront resource," Thorell said.

Whether adequate funding is available to place the versatile dining room hall into operation next year remains to be seen.

Boating is the marina's major purpose and accommodating health-conscious people enjoying magnificent surroundings of nature is a plus. Experts agree "gathering places" are essential to an economically healthy and desirable community.

Local businesses are struggling to keep doors open and construction is no help. Yet, when the marina is completed newness could open fresh economic resources.

For now, Harbormaster, Joe Dusenbury, reports; "The water main project is completed north of the boatyard. The contractor has to complete backfill compaction and pavement restoration in the south lot and that will probably take about three weeks because of rain delays. Actual pipe work is done and the new system is in service.

"The bulkhead project will start next week. At this time, they plan to start on the south end with new electrical duct banks and the north end with demolition of launch structure and excavation of area under the old launch deck.

"In early December, they will begin driving new piling at the south end. The schedule calls for the project to be completed June 2011. We expect to have a complete plan in place Friday.

"Remember, there are long delays because of the fish windows. We really won't know for sure until they start driving piling and determine how long that part will take."

Meantime, decision makers could act on the University of Washington Architectural Graduate Students Study, welcome developers and assist new businesses.

We should all shop in Des Moines. Remember the times they donated to your local fundraiser? Let's support them now.

What is your value for unique businesses such as Des Moines Drug Store, B & E Meats, Corky Cellars, Des Moines Creek Restaurant, 1930's Des Moines Cinema offering first-run movies, professional picture framing, fresh cupcakes, flowers, the printer, the cleaners, favorite hairdresser, manicurist, doctor?

Can they stay or must they go?

Treasure the pride of your community's spirit, embrace life's simple beauty, find each other again, reminisce why you fell in love, protect children, help neighbors, build a better tomorrow, take a walk in the park - for the fun of it - and greet folks with, "You're Welcome Here - Come on In!"