April 22, 2022
Efforts to create whitewater rafting, zip lining and other amusements along the downtown riverfront suffered a setback recently when the sole bid for an initial phase of work was $73 million, nearly double the estimated cost of $39 million. As a result, supporters who have compiled private and public commitments…
Read more
March 22, 2022
DES MOINES, IA (March 22, 2022) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce that the MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund, a $5 million investment in ICON Water Trails, has awarded its first $125,000 grant to the City of Bondurant. The investment will be used to enhance Eagle Park, including…
Read more
March 18, 2022
When grants from the ICON Water Trails $5 million MidAmerican Regional Fund are announced this month it will mark the next phase of development of projects that connect more than 80 sites along 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Central Iowa. The $125 million initiative…
Read more
January 28, 2022
A central Iowa water trails group’s efforts to build a $125 million recreational mecca for kayaking, fishing and surfing got a big boost Friday as Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the state would provide up to $15 million for the project. The Iowa Confluence Water Trails, …
Read more
January 28, 2022
Iowa Confluence Water Trails has been awarded $15 million through the state’s Water Infrastructure Fund for improvements on the Raccoon River along Fleur Drive. According to the announcement, the funding was part of a larger allocation of $38 million that included assistance to two…
Read more
November 18, 2021
DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 18, 2021) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce a $500,000 investment from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield that will activate an accessible canoe and kayak launch as part of the improvements of ICON Water Trails at Birdland Marina. ICON’s initiatives at Birdland…
Read more
November 16, 2021
DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 16, 2021) – Iowa Confluence Water Trails — ICON for short — has launched a new website showcasing the regional initiative. The site now highlights ICON’s completed and planned improvements spanning nearly a dozen Central Iowa municipalities and nine different waterways. It can be viewed…
Read more
November 4, 2021
To be used for ICON Water Trails improvements in Altoona, Bondurant DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 4, 2021) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce a $300,000 grant from Meta, formerly the Facebook company, allocated to ICON Water Trails. The investment will be made available…
Read more
October 20, 2021
DES MOINES, IA (Oct. 20, 2021) – Iowa Confluence Water Trails — ICON for short — hosted its first board of directors meeting as an independent 501(c)(3) last week. Originally the Central Iowa Water Trails LLC, this governing entity now oversees the initiative to connect 80+ improvements across 150…
Read more
August 10, 2021
DES MOINES, IA (August 10, 2021) – Iowa Confluence Water Trails is pleased to announce gifts from four local corporate donors. These investments represent more than $400,000 in support and are included in the $25 million raised privately thus far: • Delta Dental of Iowa, $50,000 • …
Read more