News

Iowa Confluence Water Trails Names Director, Launches Grassroots Campaign DES MOINES, IA (July 13, 2021) – The Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium including Capital Crossroads, Catch Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines Area MPO, Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Great Outdoors Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of [...]

The Central Iowa Water Trails project took another step forward today with the city of Des Moines’ Urban Design Review Board giving its final approval for the design of the Scott Avenue bridge portion of the project. The Scott Avenue bridge section is the largest of the first phase of the initiative, and is intended [...]

Gift to be invested in water quality initiatives across 36 proposed Central Iowa Water Trails amenities DES MOINES, IA (June 15, 2021) – The Great Outdoors Foundation, fiscal agent of the Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium, which includes leadership from Capital Crossroads, Catch Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Des Moines Area [...]

DES MOINES, IA (May 11, 2021) – The Great Outdoors Foundation, fiscal agent of the Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium, is pleased to announce a $1 million commitment from the Athene Charitable Foundation. This pledge puts the total funding raised privately for the project at just under $25 million. The Central Iowa Water Trails Consortium [...]

DES MOINES, IA (August 3, 2021) – Iowa Confluence Water Trails is pleased to announce a $3 million gift from the Nationwide Foundation. With $25 million raised, the project is nearly three-quarters of the way to its private fundraising goal. This $3 million commitment from the Nationwide Foundation represents its largest gift ever to the [...]

The Des Moines City Council will vote March 22 whether to adopt a $54 million master plan for the north side's Birdland Park, 2100 Saylor Road, that would transform what increasingly has become a deteriorated area. The plan, created along with stakeholders such as the restaurant's owners, the rowing club, the Oak Park neighborhood association [...]

A plan to transform the Des Moines River into a downtown recreational amenity for kayakers, paddlers and even surfers gained more approvals Wednesday, bringing the Central Iowa Water Trails project one step closer to fruition. The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday approved conditional use permits for three river access points at Prospect Park, [...]

The Central Iowa Water Trails project in 2020 went from “this would be great if it happened, to this is happening.” “So I think in 2021 we're going to see more of that come online, more of the actual bones of this long-term, multigenerational project be built, and turning from sort of this startup to [...]

In the midst of a challenging environment, there is still reason for optimism in Greater Des Moines. Visionary, transformational projects are moving forward. Think about the Central Iowa Water Trails project, the planned soccer stadium in downtown Des Moines and the Des Moines International Airport terminal project. To read the full article, visit The Des [...]

Take a listen as Hannah Inman, CEO of the Great Outdoors Foundation, talks with Lou and Jackie on Iowa Live on how to enjoy Central Iowa’s water trails. With more than 80 access sites planned to activate 150+ miles of waterways, there is almost something for everyone on Iowa’s waters. To learn more about the [...]