News

Urbandale officials are celebrating two new additions at Walker Johnston Park today. State of play: The park now features a new public access point to North Walnut Creek and a light-up art installation, as part of the ICON Water Trails project. Zoom in: The $260,000 access project includes limestone stairs, an accessible trail to the creek, an outdoor classroom and [...]

DES MOINES, Iowa – Over the summer, water quality concerns were brought to the attention of many as nitrate levels reached high levels. Last week, Polk County announced additional investments in water quality monitoring. While water quality monitoring is important, even more important are the efforts to actually fix the cleanliness of the water across Iowa. To [...]

DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 21, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce that the Wild Prairie Showdown — Presented by United Contractors & Reilly Construction — has raised nearly $190,000 for conservation and recreation. The event was held on Oct. 16 at the Val Air Ballroom and had [...]

Des Moines leaders often say many of Central Iowa’s successes as a region, from the Global Insurance Accelerator to ICON Water Trails, are the result of close collaboration across organizations and mutual interest in the long-term success and growth of the community. To read the full article, visit the Business Record. 

DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 17, 2025) – ICON Water Trails announced last night at the Wild Prairie Showdown, its fundraising event in partnership with the Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF), that it has received a $1.3 million gift from the Conservation Acceleration Fund, a dynamic water quality investment tool held by GOF. These dollars will be [...]

The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails have announced the recipients of their 2025 annual awards recognizing leadership in conservation and recreation. John Swanson, Polk County water resources supervisor, received the Creative Conservationist Award for his role in advancing water quality through Polk County’s “Batch and Build” program, which has implemented 185 practices treating [...]

DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 6, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails are pleased to announce the selection of local leaders for their annual awards. These honors, the Creative Conservationist and the Waveshaper, celebrate those in the community making extraordinary efforts for conservation and recreation in the region. John Swanson, Polk County [...]

On a hot summer day in Iowa, it’s easy to find bicyclists buzzing along trails and paddlers floating down rivers and lakes. Many of these bicyclists, paddlers and anglers contribute to the local economy by visiting shops to buy gear before a ride, gassing up their car or relaxing at a restaurant or brewery. Iowa’s [...]

Cleaner waterways, updated recreational opportunities and a boost to economic development are a few of the outcomes of a partnership between two statewide organizations. The Great Outdoors Foundation and Iowa Confluence Water Trails are leading an effort to activate water trails and improve conservation efforts throughout the state. Their projects have found success with public-private [...]

Construction continues on the ICON Water Trails project South of the Scott Avenue bridge at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers in Des Moines, Aug. 26, 2025. To view the full article, visit the Des Moines Register.