Des Moines Water Works Park
Located at 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321. Water Works Park is America's largest urban park. It is a public park that provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including walking and biking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds. The park offers a unique vantage point of the Raccoon River and is a popular venue for concerts.
The park is managed by Des Moines Water Works, which has a long history of using the site to provide drinking water for the city. In 2013, the Water Works Park Foundation launched a master development plan to improve and enhance the Park. The Foundation is committed to creating a Park that is educational, interactive and responsive to the needs of the community. They also seek to educate the public about the importance of clean water and water conservation practices. In addition to enhancing the park, the Foundation wants to bring more people into the park and help them learn how to preserve the water resources in Central Iowa.
The Water Works Park Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Central Iowans. The Foundation raises money from private sources, and leads enhanced programming and fundraising in Water Works Park. They also work with the Des Moines Water Works and the City of Des Moines to provide a better experience for park visitors.
In November 2013, the Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation was formed. The Foundation's mission is to raise funds, create public awareness and implement the Water Works Park Master Plan. The Foundation is also dedicated to adding integrated recreation features to existing areas in the Park. In addition to its commitment to improving the Park, the Foundation also wants to educate people on how to conserve the resources of the Raccoon River. They have begun planting soybeans and cover crops on the Park to show different farming techniques.
The Water Works Park Foundation has raised more than $11 million towards its $13 million goal. It has also worked with the City of Des Moines and Des Moines Water Works to develop a master development plan for the Park. The plan was developed by RDG Planning & Design in Des Moines, Iowa. RDG conceived a park that would be interactive, responsive and adaptive to the needs of the community. It would also create a platform for exploring the entirety of the Park.
The master development plan will also include a pedestrian underpass that will connect Water Works Park to Gray's Lake, which will cost $3.5 million. The pedestrian underpass will provide an easier way for people to access the park and the surrounding community. In addition, the park will also include a "marketplace" area, which will include pathways, a two-way amphitheater, and playgrounds. There will also be a "celebration" lawn, which will be the perfect spot for weddings.
In addition to the amenities listed above, Water Works Park offers a variety of trails, including equestrian trails. The park also features a three-mile long infiltration gallery, which allows people to see how water flows through the Raccoon River and into the Des Moines water system. The park has also been host to numerous large festivals. Learn more.