The city of Des Moines and ICON Water Trails received $2 million in federal funding for projects at Birdland and Prospect parks. Both projects seek to improve access to the Des Moines River for boating and other outdoor recreation activities.
At Birdland Park and Marina, the city is implementing a master plan for the 55-acre park. The $54.4 million project will be completed in five phases.
Phase 1A will improve the area between Second and Sixth avenues, relocating the public boat launch closer to Second Avenue, adding a parking lot and moving the Neal Smith Trail to a higher point to avoid flooding. The trail will also connect to Second Avenue…