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ASIAN COMMUNITY GARDEN IN TAI VILLAGE

As soon as grant moneys are available, we would designate a location which should be near the Robert D. Ray Welcome Center for the access of its restrooms and running water.  Overseeing the gardens would be easier for TVI staff from the Center. However, we need to build a 100 feet gravel road from the main road to the garden. And most importantly, we need the irrigation or water from the pond for a distance of 2500 feet. Investing on this kind of irrigation by using water from the pond instead of city water would save considerably in the long run.

 After the last frost or early April 2016, we would:

a.        build the road to the garden site

b.        prepare the land and filling in garden beds with top soil

c.       install 8 feet high fences around a plot of 40’x40’ land as the first phase. If we have more interested gardeners, the second phase would follow according to the need

d.       install the irrigation system with a submissive sum pump which will be run by a generator, set a huge water tank on top of a hill to reserve the water, and conduct water in long garden hoses to the garden along the main road

e.       build a small nursery, 10’x12’, near the garden to grow new seeds and young plants.

The real gardening time will start from early May until end of September.  Some vegetables may resist the cold and last until end of October.

There would be no end to the project. This community garden project, once established, will be ready for next year gardening except for seeds and new plants. But the cost would be minimal. We would like to continue this project if it’s progressing and productive and as long as gardeners would participate. The evaluation of the project will be reported monthly on our TVI website.

Tai Village Festival- Friday 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 
September 4th, 5th and 6th of 2015.
[Labor Day Weekend]

Tai Village Facebook.

Tai Village Youtube.

Tai Village Theme Song.

TAIDAM FESTIVAL
Please come and experience Tai and other Asian culture, enjoy great family time, taste varieties of food, listen to live music, dance and meet the neighborhoods.  Many more events and activities are added for this year's festival.  This event is opened to the public, free admission and $5 donation for on-site parking.
 

Tai House
Welcome Center

Tai Village Festival.
Tai Village 2010 Festival Poster.
Click for Tai Village Home Page.

New Moon Tai Music Video shot at Tai Village.

Pictures from the 2008 Tai Village Festival.

See some 2007 Festival photos.

2007 Tai Village Festival photos:

Click for map to Tai Village entrance.

Today's weather at Tai Village.

Dancers at the 2007 Tai Village Festival.

The 3 shelters at the Festival.

Ground-breaking

Governor Ray signing the first pole.

Tai farm house.
Muong Tai

Tai thatch house.

DM approves plan for Tai Dam center
Friday, April 13, 2007 of the Des Moines Register article.
 
A cultural center for the immigrant Tai Dam community will break ground in Des Moines this summer following approval of zoning changes needed for the project to proceed. The Des Moines Plan & Zoning Commission last week unanimously approved plans.

By FRANK VINLUAN REGISTER STAFF WRITER

Tai stye Village.
Tai Style Village.

Tai Village pond.
The Village pond.

taivillage4ww.jpg
Tai Village project meeting.

Tai Village land.
Site for Tai Village

June meeting.
Meeting in June.
June meeting.
Meeting in June.

Tai Village meeting 2006

Tai Village meeting 2006

Tai Village meeting 2006

Scroll to the bottom to see some photos of the proposed land.

THE TAI VILLAGE (Des Moines, Iowa)

 

In recognition of their immigration and successful resettlement in the United States, the Tai Dam believe in the idea of creating something special such as an image of a Tai Dam Village and lifestyle that they would contribute to the American society as a token of their appreciation.

 

Moreover, as newer generations of the Tai Dam people have grown up and integrated into the new society, more than ever the Tai Dam people should preserve and promote their beautiful culture for the benefit of their younger generations and American friends.


In 2001, a non-profit organization named Tai Village Inc. was formed to pursue their everlasting dream of having a place for a
Tai Dam Village.  After two long years of inquiring about a piece of land north of Des Moines, Tai Village Inc. purchased that land in October, 2003.  The 100-acre parcel of land is located north of M. L. King Jr. Parkway in Des Moines.  It was formerly a brick yard, and most of the property is considered a wasteland because of its trees, rifts, hills, old brick kilns, Indian burial mounds, a giant pond, the Des Moines River, etc…  However, those trees, hills and waters will be "ideal" for a Tai Dam Village created by the Tai Dam people who formerly lived in a mountainous country.


Seeing the
Tai Village dream as an ideal and attractive project, the landowners decided to donate the rest of the land, about 30 acres of good flat land, to Tai Village Inc.  As an expression of our eternal appreciation, a replica of a brick kiln will be erected as a memorial monument for the brick factory.

 


TAI VILLAGE FUTURE PROJECTS

 

To showcase a Tai Dam village and its culture, many projects have been put forth as a concept plan.  Some projects may need sizeable funds and others will need only volunteerism and labor.  Some can be realized in the near future, and others may be shelved indefinitely.  The accomplishment of each project will be totally dependent on funds and the efforts of the Tai Dam community and supporting friends.  They consider the following dreams to be not just their dream:

 

1)  Village Entrance:  In their ancient times, each village or city would have a solid entrance gate that could be opened to welcome visitors, or closed to keep out intruders.  Such a gate at this village would have cultural significance as well as practical value.  The gate will be built right North of M.L. King Pkwy. 

 

Accessible boundary borders will be fenced or blocked by chain-links or hedges of shrubs and trees.


2)  An Activity Building:  It will be a 15,000 square feet building, suitable for Tai Dam cultural and social events on weekends (New Year celebrations, weddings, traditional parties, etc.). 

 

During weekdays, Tai Dam organizations and offices will have access to this building for their business and activities, such as a museum, a gift shop, a library, and classes in Tai Dam literature, dancing, cooking, etc.

 

3)  Sacred Forest:  The tree line above the pond, where the Indian burial mounds are located, will be cleaned up and preserved as their "Dong Kam" or "Sacred Forest".  According to their traditions, each village or city should have a sacred forest where their founding ancestors' shrine is located. Everybody should respect the forest and avoid trespassing.


4)  Residential Houses:  To represent the Tai Dam culture, a dozen of Tai Dam families, may want to build residential houses and reside in Southern part of the property.  Their houses may be built in modern styles, but the gates or the surrounding porches should be in Tai Dam typical characters.  These residents will also be needed for overseeing and taking care of the Village and its facilities.

 

5)  Other Tai Dam Showcases:  Ancient tea houses and Tai Dam water mills around the pond, a rice paddy with real water-buffalo, traditional gardens with Asian vegetables and flowers, flocks of Asian livestock roaming here and there, Asian palm trees, ponds of water lilies, and other Tai Dam features will add accents of an Asian village to the Village.  Visitors and tourists will be welcomed and can enjoy the exhibitions and a leisurely walk through the Village when it is completed as dreamed.


APPEAL FOR SUPPORT

The Tai Dam people in Iowa are now considered the focal group of Tai Dam people from all over the world.  The Des Moines area should be expected to benefit from the availability of the Tai Village and these cultural and educational programs.  People from all over the United States will come to Des Moines to study, research, and participate in the Tai Dam cultural activities.  It should be a rewarding investment for the community of Des Moines to support the development of the Tai Village.

1. Sai Ounlokham, SOTAF, 515-491-6340

2. Thomas (Theum) Baccam, Kadsan Thaidam Society, 515-471-2360

3. Siang Bacthi, Tai Studies Center, 515-274-6123

4. Bao Lo Cam, Tai-Vietnamese Society, 515-246-9805

5. Chris Lo, Tai United Foundation, 515-440-1808

 

More photos of the land:

Map to the front entrance of Tai Village.

TAI VILLAGE, Inc.
Property Address:
4200 M.L. King Jr. Parkway
Des Moines, Iowa 50310

Office:
PO Box 57224
Des Moines, Iowa 50317

Telephone: 515-274-5965

E-mail: Info@TaiVillage.org