Nunn Secures $2 Million to Expand Des Moines River Access Through ICON Water Trails

"Des Moines grew up around two rivers, and we haven't done enough to make them part of how families experience our city," said Rep. Nunn . "This $2 million builds the access at Birdland and Prospect Park that changes that - safer, easier ways down to the Des Moines River for the families, kayakers, and anglers who use it. A riverfront people actually use fills the restaurants, hotels, and shops around it, turning more visitors into more customers and more economic growth across Central Iowa."

Rep. Nunn secured the funding through the FY2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) process. The award, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Economic Development Initiatives account, will support access improvements at both parks. The City of Des Moines will administer the dollars as part of the broader ICON Water Trails initiative.

The award funds public access and site improvements at both parks. The work will make it easier and safer to get to the water, improve the park space around each access point, and support the clean water and conservation priorities in the ICON plan.

The investment builds on more than $103 million that local, state, federal, philanthropic, and private partners have already committed to ICON Water Trails. The City of Des Moines alone has put more than $7 million into Birdland Park and $6 million into Prospect Park. Created in 2016, the initiative spans roughly 150 miles of central Iowa creeks and rivers.

In 2024, Rep. Nunn delivered $1 million for improvements at the Fleur Drive Dam, including dam remediation and new river access for kayakers and anglers. Today's award brings his total to $3 million in Community Project Funding for the ICON network.

Local leaders praised the investment and its impact on the community.

"The Community Project Funding awarded to the City of Des Moines clearly illustrates how support from federal funding results in long-term economic growth for local governments," said Mayor Connie Boesen . "With the $2 million award, the City of Des Moines will be able to work alongside ICON to make much-needed improvements to Birdland and Prospect Park, furthering the development of the water trails system. The water trails and new state-of-the-art features at both parks will draw tourism while bolstering the quality of life for our residents."

"We are grateful to Congressman Nunn for his continued leadership and support of projects that expand access to outdoor recreation and improve quality of life across our region," said Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director, ICON Water Trails . "Prospect Park will revitalize an important community space while serving as the future starting point of the Downtown Run, creating new opportunities for people to experience and enjoy the Des Moines River."

"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."

"Outdoor recreation is a growing driver of tourism," said Trina Flack, President & CEO, Catch Des Moines . "These projects position Greater Des Moines as a premier destination for on-water and riverfront experiences while generating significant economic benefits for our local businesses."

Photos from today's press conference are available here .

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