August 10, 2026
By: Greater Des Moines Partnership
$2 Million Federal Investment to ICON Water Trails Will Expand Public Access to the Des Moines River
The Iowa Confluence (ICON) Water Trails project took a significant step forward. Following the acquisition of a $2 million federal investment through the FY2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process, public access to the Des Moines River at Birdland Park and Prospect Park will see improvement.
![Tiffany Tauscheck]()
Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO
Greater Des Moines Partnership
What Does This Mean for Greater Des Moines?
The project will allow Greater Des Moines (DSM) to offer safer ways of getting to the Des Moines River for families, kayakers and others who want to experience it.
“Investments in the ICON Water Trails network continue to build on one of Greater Des Moines’ defining competitive advantages: our quality of life,” said Tiffany Tauscheck, President & CEO, Greater Des Moines Partnership. “By enhancing access points like Birdland Marina and Prospect Park, we’re creating more opportunities for residents and visitors to experience all that our region has to offer. This investment reflects the power of partnership and the importance of continuing to advance projects that create lasting economic impact for our region.”
See design photos from a recent press conference announcing the investment below:
Read the full story here, and learn more about ICON Water trails at iconwatertrails.com.
Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.