February 7, 2024
When ICON Water Trails was conceived as an idea, those behind the initiative hoped it would one day enhance outdoor recreation in Central Iowa and serve as a placemaking attraction that would help draw people to the region. With 15 regional sites along 150 miles of rivers and creeks in…
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February 7, 2024
DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 7, 2024) – ICON Water Trails is pleased to announce that it has completed a robust regional economic impact study in partnership with data analysts Radbridge and Pros Consulting. This extensive survey culled more than 2.6 billion mobile location pings used to project aggregate behavior over…
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February 6, 2024
Over the past fifteen years old and abandoned rail lines have been repurposed to become bicycle trails for the thousands of people who enjoy riding, sometimes, miles each week. That has resulted in some major economic development as restaurants, bars, ice cream joints and retailers open shops along those trails.
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February 1, 2024
DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 1, 2024) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce that the MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund, a $5 million investment in ICON Water Trails, has awarded its $125,000 fall grant to the City of West Des Moines. The funding will be used to establish…
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December 14, 2023
Cultural Story of the YearThis award recognizes a notable story of a nonprofit, cultural organization or cultural leader’s success and achievements that have made a significant positive contribution to the community. Winner: Easter Lake project announced – Polk County Conservation Board. Easter Lake’s new recreation site will be one of the…
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November 8, 2023
A plan to make whitewater trails on the rivers in downtown Des Moines is about more than tourism. Supporters of the project say they also have water quality in mind. In downtown Des Moines, the Raccoon flows into the Des Moines River and then immediately runs into an obstacle —…
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October 30, 2023
If you see construction equipment down in the Des Moines River bed near the Scott Avenue bridge, it’s part of a larger project. Iowa Confluence (ICON) Water Trails is a public-private partnership, establishing several kayaking launch points on both the Des Moines and Racoon Rivers in central Iowa. Besides shoreline improvements,…
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October 20, 2023
Stephanie Oppel looks to her family for inspiration when it comes to helping ICON Water Trails reach its full potential as a recreation and placemaking attraction that can help the region attract and retain talent, and improve water quality throughout Central Iowa. She started as ICON’s new executive director on…
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October 18, 2023
The Great Outdoors Foundation and ICON Water Trails announced that the third annual Wild Prairie Showdown on Oct. 12, presented by Bolton & Menk, raised more than $120,000 for conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives. The Wild Prairie Showdown is a competition to name the MVP, or Most Valuable Philanthropist. The…
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October 17, 2023
Three total whitewater access points are planned to be located in downtown Des Moines and open to the public in 2026. ICON Water Trails is in charge of these three and 12 other recreational sites around central Iowa. ICON is connecting 150 miles of rivers and creeks in the state,…
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