ICON Water Trails Through the Years

ICON has grown and evolved significantly over the years. What started as just an idea has now become an independent 501(c)(3), raising over $100 million toward recreation and conservation. With an expansive network of sites across the region, three downtown projects under construction, and much more, explore the timeline below to learn how ICON has gotten to where it is today — and what is still yet to come.

  • Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is awarded a grant by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to develop a regional water trails plan.
  • The Des Moines Area MPO Water Trails Advisory Committee is formed.
  • The Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenways Master Plan is adopted by the Des Moines Area MPO Policy Committee.
  • Exploratory trips to whitewater parks in Columbus, Georgia, and Boise, Idaho take place.
  • A public-private partnership raises funds for a preliminary engineering report to determine the feasibility and approximate cost of projects outlined in the plan.
  • The Water Trails Engineering Study was adopted by the Des Moines Area MPO Policy Committee and announced at the Greater Des Moines Partnership Annual Dinner.
  • The Dam Plan hosted by The Des Moines Register released the Water Trails Engineering Study to the public.
  • The Great Outdoors Foundation filed Central Iowa Water Trails (CIWT) LLC under its foundation, marking the beginning of the governance process.
  • Hubbell made the first gift to Central Iowa Water Trails with a $1 million donation, and the fundraising campaign cabinet kicked off at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Momentum continued with notification of a $25 million BUILD Grant.
  • The West Des Moines Raccoon River Park Access was added to the initiative.
  • A Downtown Fundraising Initiative was launched with an event held at the Embassy Club.
  • A project manager was hired, marking the first CIWT employee.
  • Construction of an access point at 70th and 86th in the City of Johnston was completed.
  • The initiative officially became its own 501©(3), and the ICON Water Trails brand was launched!
  • 15 regional sites were activated, creating the ICON Regional Network.
  • MidAmerican Energy invested $5M to establish the MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund, supporting sites in the network.
  • ICON is awarded $15M from the Polk County Water and Legacy Bond.
  • The City of Bondurant received the first award from the MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund.
  • To support growing regional efforts, a Regional Coordinator was hired.
  • Construction was completed on the City of Johnston’s Lew Clarkson Access Point.
  • ICON received a $7M Destination Iowa grant!
  • 30 million in private funds were raised to support ICON's downtown projects!
  • A groundbreaking was then held at the Scott Avenue Dam, marking the start of construction on the first downtown whitewater site, Principal Point.
  • An Executive Director was hired to lead the organization.
  • Bids were received for the Harriet Street Site, which serves as the primary take out for the downtown run.
  • A ribbon cutting was held for the City of Bondurant’s Eagle Park Access.
  • ICON partnered with BRAVO on a grant to support public art at access points throughout the network.
  • $100M total in funding for ICON's downtown projects is secured.
  • Bids for the uplands portion of Principal Point at Scott Avenue are received.
  • The regional network continues to see growth with construction on the Raccoon River 1st/ 63rd Street Bridge Access in West Des Moines, Walker Johnston Park Access in Urbandale, and the Clive Greenbelt access.
  • A Marketing and Communications Coordinator was hired.
  • The Hubbell Trailhead at Fleur Drive breaks ground!
  • Construction on the 1st/ 63rd Street Bridge Access in West Des Moines and the Walker Johnston Park access in Urbandale are completed.
  • Construction on the City of Johnston's third access point, the Merle Hay Access, begins.
  • A Development Officer was hired to support funding opportunities for the organization.
  • Construction on the Harriet Street site is set to be completed by summer.
  • Principal Point in-water construction will be completed this spring and uplands construction later in the year.
  • Construction on the in-water portion of the project of the Hubbell Trailhead at Fleur Drive will begin.
  • The Birdland Marina project goes out to bid, with construction to start in the summer.
  • The Merle Hay Access in Johnston and the Clive Greenbelt Access will complete construction.
  • Construction on the Colby Park Access in the City of Windsor Heights will begin.
  • A grand opening for Principal Point will be held to kick off the recreation season!
  • The Birdland Marina project will see construction completed.
  • Construction on the Prospect Park project will begin.
  • Construction will be complete on the Hubbell Trailhead at Fleur Drive, and a grand opening will be held.
  • With Principal Point and the Hubbell Trailhead construction complete, the Raccoon River Run Experience will officially be open!