On Wednesday, Urbandale residents converged on the vacant Rolling Green Elementary to say farewell to a building that served the neighborhood for decades. The gathering, organized by the Urbandale Community School District, attracted former students, their families and longtime staff members who wanted to commemorate the school before its scheduled demolition before the end of the year.
Memories captured in photos and art
Attendees were offered free commemorative photographs to mark the occasion. Many families took the opportunity to pose with the school’s familiar façade, creating a visual record of the final moments spent on the campus. In addition to photographs, former pupils were invited to retrieve the small art tiles they had created in first grade. Those tiles, once displayed on classroom walls, bore messages such as “Goodbye Rolling Green 1976” and drawings of popular cultural icons from the era.
Superintendent reflects on the turnout
Superintendent Rosalie Daca expressed surprise and gratitude at the size of the crowd. “I really didn’t expect to see this many people, but it’s a beautiful day, and they’ve had a chance to come out and reminisce with their colleagues that they went to school with and bring their kids and show them where they went to school,” Daca said.
Future of the site
Rolling Green has been closed since 2023, when its students and staff relocated to Karen Acres Elementary. The district announced that salvaged bricks from the building will be made available at Urbandale High School this spring, offering a tangible piece of the school’s legacy for future projects. The property itself will be retained by the district for potential development, though specific plans have not yet been disclosed.
Community significance
The farewell event highlighted the deep ties between the school and the surrounding neighborhood. For many, Rolling Green was more than a place of learning; it was a community hub where generations of families shared milestones, celebrations and everyday moments. By gathering to honor the school, residents reinforced the value of preserving local history and fostering a sense of continuity even as the physical structure makes way for new uses.
Looking ahead
As Urbandale prepares for the demolition of Rolling Green, the district’s decision to keep the land for future development signals a commitment to the long‑term growth of the community. While the building will soon be gone, the memories captured on that day, the reclaimed bricks and the shared stories will continue to shape the identity of Urbandale’s families for years to come.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
