Five Waters Project

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Ribbon Cutting; Thursday, November 21, 2024; 3:30 pm

UPDATE (10/23/24) The gravel trail is open to the public again and users are able to once again complete a full loop around the lake. No further extended closures of the gravel trail are anticipated related to completing the Athene Pedestrian Bridge. Please note that the new paved trail connection near the soccer complex is still closed and will not be accessible until the bridge officially opens. The project is currently on schedule to be completed this fall.

UPDATE: (10/04/24) A section of the loop trail at Raccoon River Park will be temporarily closed beginning Monday, October 7. The section of trail is expected to be closed for up to two weeks to complete work related to the Athene Pedestrian Bridge. There will be no through access on the gravel trail while the trail closure is in place.

UPDATE: (09/06/24) Progress continues to be made on the project. Majority of the bridge structure and decorative elements have been installed. Remaining bridge items to be completed include safety cable railing and donor recognition plaques. The concrete trail and trail head parking lot on the Walnut Woods Park side was completed earlier this week. The paving contractor has mobilized to Raccoon River Park and will begin constructing the concrete trail leading to the bridge next week. Construction of the trail is anticipated to take up to two weeks to complete. After completion of the trail, the contractor will focus efforts on site restoration including backfilling, tree planting, and seeding of disturbed areas. Project remains on schedule to be completed this fall.

UPDATE: (6/17/24) Significant progress has been made in recent months. All of the bridge piers and abutements have been installed, the concrete bridge deck has been poured, and the decorative bridge features have started to be installed including the center overlook tree canopy. Construction is on track to be completed by this Fall. Over the next couple of months, the contractor will be working on final grading and pouring of the concrete trail connections leading up to the bridge. See link for a drone flyover taken on 6/11.

UPDATE: (2/9/24) Much progress has been made with the Athene Pedestrian Bridge project with several piers complete and two truss sections in place. Additional piers and abutments are to be finished in the coming months. Gravel loop trail remains open and no trail closures are expected.

UPDATE: (11/20/23) Works continues on the Athene Pedestrian Bridge project. Contractor currently working on forming and pouring of the bridge piers. Work will continue as weather allows with completion of the bridge project anticipated to be completed by Fall 2024. Gravel loop trail is open and no trail closures are currently scheduled. See link for a recent drone flyover of the project.

UPDATE: (6/26/23) Starting Monday June 26 a section of the gravel loop trail at Raccoon River Park will be closed for construction related to the Athene Pedestrian Bridge project. Trail closure is anticipated to be in place for up to 2 weeks. Trail users may utilize the other sections of trail however a full loop around the lake will not be able to be completed during the trail closure period.

UPDATE: (5/15/23) The gravel loop trail at Raccoon River Park is open for use. Information on future trail closures will be communicated as they become available.

UPDATE: (5/1/23) Beginning 5/1, a section of the gravel loop trail at Raccoon River Park will be closed for up to two weeks for construction related to the Athene Pedestrian Bridge project.

The trail will be closed in order to complete the realignment of a small section of the gravel trail near the future bridge location. During the trail closure, park users will still be able to use the other sections of trail however a full loop around the lake will not be able to be completed. Exact timing of the trail closure will be dependent on construction progress and weather.

Once the trail realignment is in place, the loop trail is expected to remain open for the duration of the bridge project currently anticipated to be completed in Fall of 2024. More information on timing of trail closure will be posted on this page and signs indicating the trail closure will be posted onsite to alert trail users.

UPDATE: (4/17/23) ATHENE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE The tree sub-contractor (J. Pettiecord, Inc.) has started removing/chipping the downed trees. Work will start at the gravel trail entrance and move towards the bridge location. During operations, the trail may be temporarily closed, especially when working near the bridge location.

UPDATE: (4/6/23) A pre-construction meeting was held this week with the Athene Pedestrian Bridge contractor, Herberger Construction. The following will be happening throughout the months of April and May, beginning as soon as April 10:

Remove chain link fence
Mediacom will remove power lines
MidAmerican Energy Company will remove remainder of power poles
Clear downed trees
Install safety fence
Perform grading
Install access roads

UPDATE: (10/1/21) Join us in celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the Sugar Creek Greenway Trail and associated water quality improvements from Stagecoach Drive to Booneville Road. When complete, the Sugar Creek Greenway Trail will form the west side of the Five Waters Project Marathon Loop, so this is an exciting first step!

A ribbon cutting will take place at the new trail bridge spanning Sugar Creek beginning at 4:30 pm.

You are encouraged to walk or ride your bike. Limited on-street parking is available on S. Wildfire Avenue. Guests driving to the event should park at nearby Woodland Hills Park and walk 1/4 mile to the event location (approximately 5 minute walk).

UPDATE: (8/5/21) Design of the Raccoon River Pedestrian Bridge is well underway. Images of the future bridge, project details, and information on how to donate can be found on the Raccoon River Pedestrian Bridges & Great Western Trail Connection page.

UPDATE: (3/8/21) Construction of Phase 1 of Sugar Creek Greenway Trail continues to advance on schedule. Construction activity continued through winter and majority of associated storm utility infrastructure has been installed including the box culvert crossing of Sugar Creek and rough grading of the trail alignment. Last week the 120' long pedestrian bridge was placed on its abutments. Upcoming work includes final grading and paving of the trail which is scheduled to be completed by April. Final completion including seeding of disturbed areas and tree plantings is scheduled to be completed by early June.

UPDATE: (10/13/20) Phase 1 of Sugar Creek Greenway Trail has been awarded and construction of the trail is set to begin this Fall for completion in Spring 2021. Phase 1 will consist of construction of a 12' wide concrete trail between Stagecoach Drive and Booneville Road (approximately .6 miles). In addition the project will include construction of a 10' wide trail connection over to Woodland Hills Park that will cross Sugar Creek via a 120' long pedestrian bridge. Several trail spurs that will connect into the adjacent residential developments as well as a sidewalk connection along Stagecoach Dr. are also included with the project.

The Sugar Creek Greenway Trail is part of the City’s Five Waters Project and will eventually establish the western 4 miles of the 26.2 mile trail loop around the City known as the Marathon Loop.

UPDATE: (9/23/20) Work is complete on the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater by the WDM City Campus Pond. The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater was dedicated on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. Rentals for 2021 are now being taken.

UPDATE: (7/28/20) Work is complete on the Raccoon River Park Boathouse on Blue Heron Lake and boat rentals are in full swing!

The Raccoon River Park Boathouse is funded by LOSST (Local Option Sales and Services Tax) monies and by an Iowa DNR REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) grant.

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More splashes. More smiles.

Many, many more miles.

The West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department has put forth plans to develop five signature projects that will transform our parks from everyday places - to places of everyday wonder.

Our goal is to give residents and visitors of all ages and abilities new ways to paddle, dance, relax, run, explore, climb, cycle, and walk (and more) in the great outdoors. Let's take a look at how the Five Waters Project will add more life to your life.

1. JAMIE HURD AMPHITHEATER

Bringing people together to share inspiring musical performances and creative showcases, the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater serves as our cultural center, nestled between the neighborhood pond and rolling green hills. The Jamie Hurd Amphitheater provides space for food truck parking and lawn seating. Private rentals are also available.

2. RACCOON RIVER PARK BOATHOUSE

Offering visitors more ways to explore Blue Heron Lake, the state-of-the-art boathouse with restrooms offers boat rentals, including canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, standup paddleboards and more. The boathouse also serves as a river trail and land trail hub and offers additional parking for easy access to the water.

3. MARATHON LOOP

Completing a 26.2 mile trail connecting Valley View Park, Southwoods Park, Raccoon River Park and future parks, the loop allows cyclists, walkers, runners, and visitors of all ages and abilities to embrace the outdoors. This nature-friendly project also works to protect wildlife and preserve land for future generations. And the best news is - it's already 48% complete!

4. RACCOON RIVER GREENWAY

Protecting land and wildlife while providing additional river access for paddlers on the Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON), the greenway will also enable camping close to home. As if that wasn't enough, this project will allow exploration of the tree canopy - a whole new way to discover nature.

5. PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES & GREAT WESTERN TRAIL CONNECTION

Spanning the beautiful Raccoon River, these bridges will serve as seamless connections for cyclists and pedestrians from Raccoon River Park to Walnut Woods State Park, Purple Martin Water Resource Area, Hidden Valley Soccer Complex and dozens of miles of green trails.

WE CAN DO EVEN MORE WITH YOUR HELP.

We're ready to put our plans into action. If you'd like to help take the Five Waters Project from dream to done, email us at parkrec@wdm.iowa.gov.
Thank you for your support!