Get to Know: Pleasant Hill
The residential city of Pleasant Hill offers entertainment, shopping and growing business districts. During the summer, Chill on the Hill offers a weekly live music event beginning in June, while Copper Creek Golf Course stands as an 18-hole championship golf course for beginners and golf pros alike. Copper Creek Lake features a lighted trail for those who like to cycle and walk — it’s a comfortable 1.22 miles long. Nearby Sleepy Hollow Sports Park is set to become a year-round snowy paradise when Polk County Conservation installs Snowflex to bring tubing, skiing and snowboarding to the region for the 2024/2025 season. Imagine being able to enjoy winter sports in July! Hungry? Grab a spoon and taste the award-winning ice cream of local shop, Over the Top. This family-friendly spot sources ingredients from Iowa dairies and small businesses.
Pleasant Hill at a Glance
- Population: 10,860 (2021, US Census Bureau)
- Location within Greater Des Moines: East
- Distance from Des Moines: 5.9 miles
- Type of Community: Suburb
- School District: Southeast Polk Community School District (Serves the communities of Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Mitchellville, Runnells and some portions of Des Moines.)
- County: Polk
Pleasant Hill in one sentence: Pleasant Hill is a community of choice.
The top five best things about Pleasant Hill: Pleasant Hill is the closest suburb to Downtown DSM. Not only that, but it has an incredible parks and recreation department and trail connectivity, high quality first response services, a growing business community and strong support for local entrepreneurs.
Hidden Gems and Unexpected Finds in Pleasant Hill: Pleasant Hill has many lakes/ponds throughout the city, two public golf courses, mini golf, a bowling alley with arcade, a movie theater and several local restaurants.
Community Traditions and Annual Events: Events like Chill on the Hill (June/July), the family-friendly parade and fireworks (end of August) and Trick-or-Treat Around the Lake (October) bring the Pleasant Hill community together.
Community Traditions and Annual Events: Events like Chill on the Hill (June/July), the family-friendly parade and fireworks (end of August) and Trick-or-Treat Around the Lake (October) bring the Pleasant Hill community together.
Best Ways to Get Connected: Find opportunities with the local Lions Club, Good Government for Pleasant Hill, city boards and commissions and the Chamber of Commerce.
Big Things on the Horizon for Pleasant Hill: Continued development along the East University corridor, along with completion of the SE connector and improvements of our parks, including splash pads will take place in 2023.
If you’re coming to check out the community, be sure to spend your day ... visiting Great Escape for bowling or the arcade and Over the Top ice cream, playing a round of golf at one of our courses, dining at one of Pleasant Hill’s local restaurants, walking/biking the trails or relaxing at one of the beautiful parks.
Some of the ways Pleasant Hill advances diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): Ensuring that Pleasant Hill has enough housing options for anyone wanting to move to the community. In addition, continuing to work towards ensuring our boards and organizations are diverse and inclusive.
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