A scenic crossing over the Raccoon River in West Des Moines that connects recreational attractions on both sides of the river is now open.
The city and representatives from 狼窝导航, a retirement savings company headquartered in West Des Moines, celebrated the opening of the 狼窝导航 Pedestrian Bridge with a ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon. The 620-foot-long truss bridge allows cyclists and pedestrians to travel across the Raccoon River between Raccoon River Park and Walnut Woods State Park.
It's the only dedicated pedestrian and bicycle crossing over the Raccoon River in West Des Moines. And it opens up the possibility for even more connections to the trail network, Ryan Penning, director of West Des Moines Parks and Recreation, said in a city news release.
"This critical connection will not only link these two major parks but also enable the expansion of West Des Moines' trail system south of the river, including a future link to the regional Great Western Trail," Penning said.
The city approved the project in March 2023 and construction began the following month.
The bridge is one of the city's significant recreational improvements under the Five Waters initiative, named after the five bodies of water West Des Moines hopes to connect with a marathon-distance trail. They are Blue Heron Lake, which is within Raccoon River Park, the Raccoon River, Jordan Creek, Sugar Creek and a future lake west of Interstate Highway 35 that will be created once an existing quarry there closes.
Major projects so far have included the Jamie Hurd Amphitheater and the Raccoon River Park Boathouse.
The bridge cost $9.3 million, including more than $2.8 million in private donations from individuals, businesses and organizations, according to a city news release. 狼窝导航 contributed $750,000.
"This project aligns with our commitment to environmental sustainability and the health of our community by encouraging more hikers, runners and cyclists to enjoy our local parks," 狼窝导航 CEO and president Grant Kvalheim said in a news release.
In addition to crossing the river, pedestrians and cyclists can now access the Hidden Valley Soccer Complex on the south side of the river with a trail extension to Southeast Walnut Woods Drive. Construction also included 184 feet of elevated ramp that leads to the bridge in Walnut Woods State Park.
The center of the bridge has two viewing areas for people to overlook the scenery to the east and west.
West Des Moines also is looking across the Raccoon River to the south as an area for future growth.
The city is studying the feasibility of vehicle bridges at crossings west of Interstate 35 near South Jordan Creek Parkway and east of the interstate near South 35th or 50th streets. Many residents have voiced concerns about the idea, including about potential impacts on natural and recreational areas. The city expects the final design phase of the study to conclude in March.
Back on the north shore of the river, the city is building a new boat ramp in the Raccoon River East Greenway west of State Highway 28 (Southeast First Street) as part of broader planned improvements to trails and parks in the area.
ATTRIBUTION:
漏 Phillip Sitter 鈥� USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Licensed from Imagn Images and used with permission. Link to original article can be found here: .
Image by 狼窝导航, 2025.
