Public workshops: What do you want to do on rivers of Greater Des Moines?
Paddlers, rowers, kayakers, boaters, tubers, birders, hikers, anglers, trail users – and anyone with interest in improving recreation and conservation on and along the rivers of central Iowa – are invited to a series of design workshops.
Eight 90-minute workshops will be held in March and April for the public to meet with local government officials and explore options for improving 150 miles of creeks and rivers in Greater Des Moines. Do you want more boat ramps? White-water elements? Perhaps a place to rent kayaks? Should the dams be mitigated? How about better trail connections or more public fishing spots? What about shoreline restoration and floodplain protection? Better places for quiet walks, scenic views and wildlife?
“Our rivers can become a signature recreational amenity for Greater Des Moines,” said Rick Tollakson, president and CEO of Hubbell Realty Co. who chairs the Water Trails Steering Committee. “The question now is, what is our vision?”
The preferences of the public will help form the Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenways Master Plan. Once developed, the plan will provide the region and local governments with a road-map for enhancing citizen experiences in and along the 150 miles of creeks and rivers. This could include more places to go tubing, birding, hiking, paddling, or fishing, as well as offer areas for flood protection and improved wildlife. This is a significant opportunity for the region for many reasons – notably quality of life, economic development, tourism and environmental conservation.
Beaver Creek – 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, Crown Point Community Center, 6300 Pioneer Pkwy., Johnston
Raccoon River – 3 p.m. Monday, March 28, Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge, 2500 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
Walnut Creek – 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, Windsor Heights Community Center, 6900 School St., Windsor Heights
North and Middle rivers – 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, Carlisle City Hall, 195 N. First St., Carlisle
Skunk River, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, Mud Creek – 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, Altoona Public Library, 700 8th St. SW, Altoona
Northern section of Des Moines River (Highway 210 to Birdland Marina) and Fourmile Creek – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, Polk County River Place, 2309 Euclid Ave, Des Moines
Southern section of Des Moines River (south of downtown to Lake Red Rock) – 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, Pioneer Columbus Community Center, 2100 SE 5th St., Des Moines
Des Moines River, downtown section – To be announced at later date
Click here for map of the study area
Public comments are also being collected through an online input map, and the deadline to comment has been extended to April 30.
A recently released “State of the Rivers” report, a new online resource that is rich with research on the region’s creeks and rivers, found that the potential for river recreation in Greater Des Moines is significant and largely untapped, identifying existing uses, opportunities, and challenges.
The Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenways Master Plan is being developed by the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization on behalf of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A draft plan will be released for public comment in early summer of 2016; the final plan is expected by late 2016.
For more information, please visit dmampo.org/water-trails/, call 515-334-0075 or email info@dmampo.org.