Boat Ramp 

The boat ramp and parking area just inside the entrance to Raccoon River Park provide lake lovers great access to Blue Heron Lake.

Any size boat is allowed on Blue Heron Lake, however, the entire lake is a No Wake Zone. Swimming off boats is not allowed. Sailboats with a mast height measuring less than 36 feet form the surface of the water are allowed on the Lake. Sailboats are prohibited when water levels reach an elevation of one foot above the concrete dock at the boat ramp. Canoe/kayak licenses are required if over 13ft. See your county recorder’s office for licensing.

Fish Habitat

Blue Heron Lake is not stocked, however, it is home to several different types of fish, such as crappie, blue gill, bullheads, catfish, carp, bass, and walleye.

In 2011, volunteers with the Central Iowa Anglers fishing club installed underwater structures to enhance fish habitat diversity and angler use at the lake. Click HERE for a map of lake contours and locations of fish habitat structures.

Soccer Complex

The Raccoon River Park is home to the West Des Moines Soccer Club. The soccer complex is located on the southwest side of the park and features a multi-field setup that provides a great setting for area youth of varying abilities to enjoy the sport. For information regarding joining a soccer team, please contact the WDM Soccer Club at 222-0079 or visit www.wdmsc.org

Softball Complex

Raccoon River Park is also the home to WDM Adult Softball and Kickball Leagues. This five-field, tournament-quality complex is available for league play, tournaments, and rentals. The irrigated fields and state of the art facilities make this one of the nicest and most desirable softball complexes in the Midwest. Each year, the Raccoon River Park Softball Complex hosts a variety of national, state, and regional tournaments along with a full slate of local league play.

Irrigation of Softball Complex

In a continual effort to utilize sustainable practices in West Des Moines' parks system, the Raccoon River Park Softball Complex is irrigated by water drawn directly from Blue Heron Lake as opposed to being irrigated by treated water from WDM Water Works. Although you might not notice anything at the park, know that important processes are taking place “under the scenes”. A submerged pump with two self-cleaning filters sits on the floor of Blue Heron Lake at the approximate depth of 13 ft. A combination of 6 and 12 inch wide pipes extend underground connecting the pump to the existing irrigation components at the Softball Complex, and electrical mechanisms are housed in an above-ground control box.

Picnic Shelters

There are four open air picnic shelters along the north end of the lake. The shelters may be reserved beginning January 1 each year for private use from April 15 - October 15. Rental rates are $15 per hour with a 4 hour minimum.  Click HERE to learn more about reserving shelters in West Des Moines. When shelters have not been rented, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Biddle Rotary Shelter

The Biddle Rotary Shelter is located near the Nature Lodge in an open, grassy area and offers:

• Capacity for 75 people
• Picnic tables
• Electrical outlets
• Charcoal BBQ grill
• A short walk from the large playground

Coneflower Shelters: A, B, C

The Coneflower Shelters overlook the beach and playground at Raccoon River Park. This set of three shelters provides the opportunity for multiple groups to picnic together or to accommodate one large group. Each of the three shelters offer:

• Capacity for 50 people each
• Picnic tables
• Electrical outlets
• Charcoal BBQ grill
• Adjacent restrooms and playground

Playground 

The Raccoon River Park Playground is open! Learn more about this great amenity here.

The new inclusive playground provides more than 52,000 square feet of play equipment, seating areas, and landscape. Over 1,500 shrubs and perennials, and 40 trees, will allow children, adults and caregivers to experience the sensory aspects of plants as well as play amenities.

The playground design focuses on Universal Design which welcomes children and families of all abilities to learn, play, and grow together. All children are enabled to develop physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Pods of various types of play feature motion, swings, sensory, themed play, and climb & crawl. Each method of play has different means of access, allowing kids to scramble up hills or use sloping paths to reach the top.

The design team was led by Genus Landscape Architects and Ingrid Kanics, a specialist who focuses on Universal Design and sensory play in community play spaces.

Public Art
The playground will feature a new permanent piece of public art that is being commissioned by the West Des Moines Public Art Advisory Council. The 14’ wide by 8’ tall sensory wall will be inspired by the natural elements of the park and will feature tactile elements such as wood, cork, clay pebbles, and marbles.

Multi-Use Trail

The park also offers a 3.2 mile crushed rock/asphalt nature trail around the entire lake. The trail winds its way between the lake and the Raccoon River providing a natural experience that can rarely be found in an urban environment. The trail is perfect for a leisurely stroll or bike ride around the lake.

Nature Lodge

The Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge sits on the northwest end of the lake. The Nature Lodge is a multipurpose facility that is used for Parks & Recreation programs. The building may also be rented to host weddings, family reunions, business meetings, and much more. Nature Lodge staff also offer many activities for schools or groups to learn about the environment. For more information or to rent the Nature Lodge, please call (515) 222-3424.

Dog Park

The Raccoon River Park Dog Park provides a great space to let your dog run off leash. Permits are required to use the Dog Park. Permit applications can be found HERE, or permits can be obtained in person during business hours at the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge or the Parks & Recreation Administrative Office in WDM City Hall (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm). For more information on the Dog Park please call (515) 222-3444.

Archery Facility

The Raccoon River Park Archery Facility is the first of its kind in Iowa and features 12 shooting lanes with targets up to 40 yards in distance.

Permits are required to use the Archery Facility. Permit applications can be found HERE, or permits can be obtained in person during business hours at the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge or the Parks & Recreation Administrative Office in WDM City Hall (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm). For more information on the Archery Facility please call (515) 222-3444.

Birding at Raccoon River Park

Read a short article written for the Iowa Ornithologists' Union about the great birding at Raccoon River Park.

Did you know that Raccoon River Park has a Purple Martin nest box? It has been up for 3 nesting seasons now (2019-2021), and the 2021 season was quite successful. All 18 cavities in the box had Purple Martin nests, and 73 young were fledged out of the box this summer. Learn more about the Purple Martin at https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/purple-martin.

Plants and Weed Control

Visitors to Raccoon River Park during the spring and early summer are sure to notice the sea of dandelions-either brilliant yellow or fluffy white.  The growth of dandelions, along with other weeds in the mowed grass areas in the park, are the due to efforts to keep West Des Moines' drinking water supply safe. The park is home to several shallow water wells that supply drinking water to our residents. State regulations prohibit the application of chemicals, including fertilizers or pesticides, within 200 feet of the shallow wells and 100 feet of a deep well near the softball complex. The softball complex and soccer complex located in Raccoon River Park were planned to be far enough away from the wells to allow chemical treatment of the turf in these areas.  Otherwise, the rest of the park is off limits to chemicals.

Click here for a list of plants (grasses & forbs, trees & shrubs, vines, and herbs) that can be found in Raccoon River Park.

Even Water Public Art

Even Water is an eight-piece cycle suite of permanent sculptures installed in Raccoon River Park in 2019. It is fabricated in mirror polished stainless steel and bronze. 

Water plays a critical role in a community’s quality of life, from public health and safety to recreation and beauty. Knowing what a watershed is and how we can each play a role in preserving its function and value is important but rarely understood. The West Des Moines Public Arts Advisory Commission aspired to use a public art initiative to raise awareness of watersheds and everyday actions residents and businesses can take to improve water quality in a watershed. The Commission wants every person who experiences Even Water to be enlightened, empowered, and proud to live in West Des Moines.  

Click here to learn more about Even Water.