ICON Water Trails has added its 17^th active site to its regional network, with the Walker Johnston Park Creek Access officially open. A recipient of the MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund, the City of Urbandale received $125,000 to enhance the park with a creek access point, an outdoor classroom, interpretive signage, and reforestation. The project also received the ICON/ Bravo Public Art Grant, funding an art installation at the site.

The access point is located adjacent to a popular playground, soccer and softball fields, a skate park, park shelter, and elementary school. People of all ages and abilities will be able to experience this ICON project and its offerings. With a water access point and outdoor classroom, park users can wade, skip stones, fish, catch frogs, and investigate the natural environment around them. The project increases access to outdoor recreation opportunities in the community by creating a space that preserves the natural habitat where people can interact with nature in an educational way.

“By introducing the creek access and an outdoor classroom at Walker Johnston Regional Park, the City, area schools, and surrounding communities will see an already popular and well-used park become an even more engaging place for people and nature.” said Jan Herke, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Urbandale. “This project will provide park users the opportunity to learn about the natural environment and grow outdoor recreation opportunities in the heart of an urban environment.”

In addition to the water trails and outdoor classroom, the project also includes reforestation of the wooded greenbelt. This restoration is crucial, as the area is losing trees due to age, disease, and weather. With interpretive signage and an accessible trail, the outdoor classroom will be a site that provides opportunities for the public to better understand what’s involved in stabilizing eroding streams as well as help foster a deeper understanding of the importance of water quality, stream flow, aquatic-life, vegetation, and wildlife.

With support from the ICON/ Bravo Public Art grant, an art installation was installed alongside the creek access. The art created by James Peterson, titled, ‘JOURNEY’, takes its inspiration from the exquisite allure of nature, celebrating the joyous exploration of wonder as a stroll through the forest, immerses one in the natural world. This artistic creation seeks to weave itself to the past and present-day growth of the area.

Read more about the initial conception of this project here.