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| Des Moines Riverwalk | |
|---|---|
| Name | Des Moines Riverwalk |
| Location | Des Moines, Iowa, Polk County, Iowa |
| Length | ~1.7 miles |
| Established | 2000s |
| Trailheads | Principal Riverwalk, Court Avenue (Des Moines), Principal Park, Southeast Connector (Iowa) |
| Surface | Concrete, boardwalk |
| Use | Pedestrian, bicycle, recreation |
Des Moines Riverwalk The Des Moines Riverwalk is an urban multiuse linear promenade along the Des Moines River in Des Moines, Iowa, connecting downtown Principal Financial Group campus areas with West Des Moines, East Village (Des Moines), and civic landmarks. It functions as a cultural spine between Iowa State Capitol vistas, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Downtown Des Moines venues and transportation hubs such as Des Moines International Airport and Union Pacific Railroad corridors. The Riverwalk supports recreation, tourism, stormwater mitigation, and public art activations tied to institutions like the Des Moines Art Center and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The Riverwalk runs through Principal Riverwalk, adjoining plazas near Principal Financial Group headquarters, and links to Court Avenue District, Western Gateway Park, and Gray's Lake Park. It threads past civic sites including Des Moines City Hall, State Historical Museum of Iowa, and sporting venues like Principal Park and Wells Fargo Arena. The corridor interfaces with transportation nodes including Interstate 235 (Iowa), U.S. Route 69 in Iowa, and local trail systems such as the High Trestle Trail and Great Western Trail (Iowa). Major stakeholders include the City of Des Moines, Greater Des Moines Partnership, and philanthropic partners like the John and Mary Pappajohn Foundation.
Early riverfront use dates to Des Moines River navigation, steamboat commerce linked to Mississippi River trade and 19th-century expansion tied to Iowa (state) settlement patterns. Twentieth-century industrialization along the river paralleled projects by railroads such as Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad and companies including Principal Financial Group. Urban renewal initiatives in the late 20th century—concurrent with programs influenced by National Endowment for the Arts and planning models from Harold L. Ickes-era interventions—led to the Principal Riverwalk masterplan. Flood control and river redesign drew on engineering precedents like the Army Corps of Engineers projects and lessons from floods such as the 1993 Mississippi River floods and regional Great Flood of 1993. The Riverwalk's phased construction in the 2000s incorporated partnerships among Des Moines Water Works, Polk County, and nonprofit groups including Des Moines Riverfront Development Authority.
Design elements reflect collaborations between landscape architects with influences observable in works at Millennium Park and urban waterfronts like San Antonio River Walk, employing boardwalks, concrete promenades, and viewing platforms. Infrastructure includes pedestrian bridges modeled on movable-span precedents like the Poughkeepsie Bridge, integrated stormwater systems coordinated with Des Moines Water Works reservoirs and levee improvements informed by Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. Lighting, wayfinding, and public art commissions were administered with partners such as Arts Midwest and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park curators. Structural components intersect with utility easements for entities like MidAmerican Energy and transit connections with Des Moines Area Regional Transit.
Recreational programming matches attractions around Pappajohn Sculpture Park, seasonal markets near Court Avenue District, and sporting access for spectators of Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. Amenities include bicycle rentals linked to providers akin to B-cycle, fitness nodes comparable to installations at High Line (New York City), and interpretive signage that references regional history in coordination with State Historical Museum of Iowa. Culinary and entertainment venues in adjacent districts host festivals also seen at venues like Wells Fargo Arena and Hy-Vee Hall. The Riverwalk hosts art installations by regional and national artists associated with institutions such as the Des Moines Art Center and touring exhibits that have appeared at Walker Art Center.
Ecological planning integrates riparian restoration guided by Iowa Department of Natural Resources protocols and species inventories paralleling work at Des Moines Water Works treatment wetlands. Habitat improvements aim to support riparian flora and fauna similar to conservation efforts linked to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and migratory corridors connected to the Mississippi Flyway. Stormwater best practices reflect principles from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance and green infrastructure projects like bioswales, native planting palettes promoted by Iowa State University Extension, and invasive species management consistent with United States Department of Agriculture recommendations.
The Riverwalk hosts civic events akin to city festivals at Downtown Des Moines and seasonal programs coordinated with Des Moines Arts Festival, parades associated with Martin Luther King Jr. Day (United States) commemorations, and concerts comparable to performances at Hoyt Sherman Place. Community organizations such as Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and Prairie Meadows collaborate on educational series and fundraisers. Annual events draw regional partners like Iowa Tourism Office and athletic events similar to races organized by Des Moines Marathon organizers.
Access points connect to multimodal infrastructure including Des Moines Area Regional Transit routes, bicycle networks linked with Raccoon River Valley Trail, and parking proximate to Principal Park and municipal garages near Downtown Des Moines. Wayfinding coordinates with regional planning agencies such as Polk County (Iowa) planners and integrates ADA-compliant ramps comparable to standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Riverwalk extensions interface with arterial corridors including Grand Avenue (Des Moines), Locust Street (Des Moines), and expressways such as Interstate 235 (Iowa).
Category:Trails in Iowa Category:Des Moines, Iowa