Draft recommendations: Develop abundant regional network of river recreation
Greater Des Moines could become home to an abundant network of river recreation, offering residents and visitors a multitude of places for tubing, birding, hiking, paddling, boating, fishing and more.
Such are the newly released recommendations for 150 miles of the region’s creeks and rivers that are proposed in the DRAFT Greater Des Moines Water Trails and Greenways Plan, now available for public comment. The plan covers the Des Moines, Raccoon, South Skunk, North and Middle rivers, as well as Beaver, Fourmile, Mud and Walnut creeks.
“We know there is tremendous passion among the public to see this project happen – so we want to make sure we get the plan right,” said Todd Ashby, executive director of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is developing the water trails plan on behalf of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The draft plan was developed over the past year with research of existing conditions and input from people and organizations with a wide range of interests in the waterways, notably recreation, quality of life, economic development, tourism and environmental conservation. Over the coming summer, these recommendations will be vetted by the public, and the plan will be refined as needed before being finalized this fall by vote of the MPO Policy Committee.
The plan is available for review online at www.dmampo.org/water-trails/, where the public can also take a three-question survey indicating their level of interest in pursuing water trails. Additionally, the public is invited to public meetings where they can learn more about the draft plan and give feedback to planning staff:
Open House – 6-7 p.m. June 14, Raccoon River Nature Lodge, 2500 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines
(Followed by Jim Pease presentation at 7 p.m. as part of The Tomorrow Plan 2016 Speaker Series)
The Dam Debate: Part II – 7-8:30 p.m. June 28, The Des Moines Register, Community Room, 400 Locust St., Des Moines
Open House – 6-8 p.m. June 29, Birdland Park – Ding Darling Shelter, 2100 Saylor Road, Des Moines
The plan recommends regional coordination of the water trails network, and highlights the importance of planning for people’s safety in and on the water. Other highlights include
- 23 soft trails
- 13 carry-down accesses points for paddle vessels
- 15 fishing nodes
- 7 economic hubs
- 18 wading areas
- 14 activity hubs
For more information, please visit to dmampo.org/water-trails, call 515-334-0075, or email info@dmampo.org.