ICON saw incredible progress across our network in 2025. From downtown and regional projects to public art installations, enhanced on-water maintenance and safety, and successful fundraising events, we are proud of what we’ve accomplished. Together, these efforts continue to advance our mission of connecting water, communities, and people while improving Central Iowa’s quality of life.

DOWNTOWN PROJECTS

ICON’s downtown sites made significant progress in 2025, advancing both in-river features and upland amenities that will enhance recreation and access along the river.

Principal Point at Scott Avenue

Principal Point saw great progress throughout the year. Early in 2025, remaining elements of the cascading drop feature were completed, along with all work on the north half of the river. Construction on the uplands began in April and remains ongoing, while work continues on the fish passageway, grading, and bank stabilization along the south bank. Despite temporary pauses caused by heavy rain events, the project achieved meaningful progress, including installation of the waveshaper. Once complete, Principal Point will offer in-water recreation, fish cleaning stations, improved fish passage and habitat, an expanded trail network, and an educational plaza.

Hubbell Trailhead at Fleur Drive

The Hubbell Trailhead experienced major milestones in 2025. The project entered the year in design and reached completion of that phase in April. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July, officially launching construction. This fall, crews began access road construction, tree clearing, and other site preparations, with in-river work scheduled for the coming months. Coordination with upland improvements and project partners continued throughout the year.

Harriet Street

Construction at the Harriet Street site was nearly completed in 2025. Boat and kayak launches and shoreline stabilization were finished in January, while high river levels temporarily paused remaining work during the summer. By fall, signage, lighting, and site furnishings were installed, leaving only minor amenities to be completed. A grand opening is planned for Spring 2026 to kick off the recreation season. Once open, Harriet Street will serve as a primary takeout location for paddlers completing the future downtown run.

Birdland Marina 

ICON was awarded a $1 million CAT grant in partnership with the City of Des Moines for the Birdland Park and Marina project in July. The city of Des Moines and ICON were awarded the grant to improve the Birdland Park area’s 55 acres. A gravel-paved parking lot will be transformed into an ICON Water Trails access point. The area will feature universally designed paddling and rowing launches with modern ingress/egress angles and wake protection, shoreline seating and a new drop-off and parking area.

REGIONAL PROJECTS

The MidAmerican Energy Fund continues to play a vital role in supporting the growth of ICON’s Regional Network. In 2025, the projects supported by this grant made meaningful progress, expanding access, improving safety, and strengthening connections to our region’s waterways.

Raccoon River East Greenway Boat Ramp – West Des Moines

The Raccoon River East Greenway Boat Ramp officially opened in June 2025. This water trail site is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the City of West Des Moines and Polk County Conservation, with key support from ICON Water Trails. The $1.4 million project was funded through Polk County Water and Land Legacy Bond funds, the City of West Des Moines, and grant programs from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and ICON.

New amenities at the site include a paved boat ramp, ADA-accessible parking, native plantings, wayfinding signage, and benches for rest and river viewing. Located along a key stretch of the Raccoon River, the site not only improves public access but also enhances safety for paddlers and other river users.

Walker Johnston Park – Urbandale

Urbandale broke ground in Spring 2025 on a new access point at Walker Johnston Park along North Walnut Creek, and the site opened in October. Improvements at the site include a creek access point, outdoor classroom, interpretive signage, public art, and reforestation. Together, these elements preserve natural habitat while creating an educational space where people can engage with the creek and surrounding environment.

Clive Greenbelt Landing Access – Clive

Clive’s Greenbelt Landing Project continued to move forward throughout 2025, enhancing nearly 15 acres of parkland adjacent to the Clive Aquatic Center. As part of this larger effort, ICON Water Trails is supporting the addition of a new access point on Walnut Creek. The broader project includes renovations to the Community Building, the establishment of wetlands and bio cells with a boardwalk, riverbank stabilization, a kayak launch, an event lawn and stage, and a new playground. Construction on the water access point is nearing completion.

Merle Hay Access – Johnston

In Spring 2025, the City of Johnston broke ground on its third water trail access point, located near the Merle Hay Bridge and I-80/35, and saw great progress throughout the year. This project expands access to Beaver Creek and will offer multiple opportunities for residents and visitors to enter or exit the water. In addition to creek access, planned amenities include restrooms, lighting, streambank improvements, parking, stormwater infrastructure, native plantings, trailhead signage, and connections to adjacent land-based trails.

Colby Park – Windsor Heights

Windsor Heights was awarded a MidAmerican Regional Grant in fall 2025 for the future Colby Park access point. Design and planning are underway, with construction anticipated to begin next year.

PUBLIC ART

The ICON/ BRAVO Public Art Grant also funded more projects in our network, adding new beauty to our sites. Urbandale had art installed along the path down to Walnut Creek, called “JOURNEY”. This piece, created by James Peterson, takes its inspiration from the exquisite allure of nature, celebrating the joyous exploration of wonder as a stroll through the forest, immersing one in the natural world. Bondurant saw the installation of “Puddles Pavillion” at the Eagle Park Access. This imaginative new structure not only offers a place to gather and relax, but also reflects their community’s commitment to public art, outdoor recreation, and access to nature. The Clive Greenbelt, Johnston, and West Des Moines were awarded the grant as well and will see new art added to their sites in the coming year.

ON-WATER MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY

In 2025, ICON completed maintenance on more than 20 miles of water trails, including stretches of Beaver Creek, Walnut Creek, North Walnut Creek, Mud Creek, Fourmile Creek, and the Raccoon River. In total, 7 jurisdictions saw work completed this season. These projects included shoreline stabilization, clearing log jams and strainers, and other improvements that keep our waterways passable and safe. Projects are prioritized based on navigability, usability, and potential safety concerns

ICONIC RIVERFEST

ICON Water Trails hosted its inaugural ICONic Riverfest on June 11, 2025. ICONic Riverfest is a regional volunteer initiative dedicated to furthering ICON’s mission of improving the quality, safety, and enjoyment of central Iowa’s water trails, with funds raised by the event directly supporting these goals.

This event was made possible by Polk County, and supported by Athene, Businessolver, Des Moines Water Works, Estes Construction, Great Outdoors Foundation, ISG, Knapp Properties, MidAmerican Energy Company, Nationwide, Polk County Conservation, Principal, and Turner Construction. With the help of these generous sponsors, the event raised $25,000.

At the 2025 event, ICON held cleanups in Altoona, Bondurant, Des Moines, Johnston, Norwalk, Polk County, Polk County Conservation, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights, touching 11 jurisdictions within the ICON Network. Across these 11 sites, 140 volunteers were engaged, removing 560 lbs. of trash and 15 trailer loads of invasive species surrounding Central Iowa’s waterways.

WILD PRAIRIE SHOWDOWN

ICON Water Trails and the Great Outdoors Foundation partnered again to host the fifth annual Wild Prairie Showdown — Presented by Reilly Construction & United Contractors. This year, Team GOF and Team ICON were led by one individual competitor, with three alumni competitors offering each team support and expertise. The event raised nearly $190,000 and had more than 400 in attendance. Team ICON was led by Molly “Ms. Drizzle” Hanson, and supported by returning alumni Rene Martinez (’24), Annie Brandt (’24), and Emily Naylor (’23).

ICON also presented its Waveshaper award at the event to the ICON Water Trails Capital Campaign Co-Chairs and Honorary Co-Chairs. Awardees include Steve Chapman, Allison Fleming, and Suku Radia, Jim Cownie, Bill Knapp, Connie Wimer, and Steve Zumbach, whose individual and collective expertise propelled ICON from vision to reality, securing more than $33.5 million in private fundraising for the transformative initiative.

We are grateful for all that we accomplished in 2025, and especially for those who make our work possible. Our donors, volunteers, community partners, Board of Directors, and everyone who gives their time and support continue to turn our vision into a reality. We look forward to what’s to come in the year ahead.