Plan Your Next Summer Outing at Great Outdoors Foundation Sites
Summer is now in full swing, with extended hours of daylight providing extra opportunities to get outside. The Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF) is dedicated to improving outdoor recreation access and safety and is proud to be involved in various local projects taking Iowa’s recreation to new heights.
Here are a few GOF projects to help you make the most of your summer.
Athene Pedestrian Bridge
The Athene Pedestrian Bridge connects visitors of all ages and abilities to the great outdoors. Spanning the Racoon River, the bridge links Racoon River Park to Walnut Woods State Park, Brown’s Woods, Purple Martin Lake Water Recreation Area, Hidden Valley Soccer Complex, and an array of greenway trails. The bridge includes 4,700 feet of paved trail, providing visitors with a smooth transition between recreation areas. The project also features a plaza on the north end to honor generous donors, and a tree canopy overlook in the bridge’s center where visitors can enjoy scenic views of the Racoon River.
This project highlights the power of private-public partnerships, with more than $2.8 million in private donations bringing this vision to life. GOF is proud to have served as the fundraising consultant for this project.
To visit the Athene Pedestrian Bridge, head approximately 0.5 miles south of the Racoon River Park main entrance on the multi-use trail.
Athene North Shore Recreation Area
The Athene North Shore Recreation Area (ANSRA) has been touted as the country’s most “universally accessible park.” Park renewal efforts began in 2018, following the guiding idea of developing an accessible area for veterans to fish. After gathering community input, the vision for ANSRA shifted as need for a wholly inclusive park was realized.
Completed in May 2024, ANSRA now provides exciting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage with the great outdoors via land, water, and various facilities.
Land
Don’t want to get wet? No problem! Enjoy ANSRA’s wide walkways, paved trails, Inclusion Lawn, playground, and land equipment rentals.
Learn more about land amenities here.
Water
Come on in, the water’s fine! ANSRA offers park-goers many accessible water options: Zero-entry beach ramp, Access Trax beach mat, watercraft launch, fishing dock, pontoon boat, and water equipment rentals.
Learn more about water amenities here.
Facilities
Need to step inside from the great outdoors? ANSRA has you covered. Take advantage of single-user restrooms, wellness spaces, concessions, Easter Lake Event Center, and the Des Moines Rowing Club building.
Learn more about these facilities here.
GOF is proud to have served as the fiscal sponsor for the ANSRA capital campaign, helping raise a total of $8.6 million.
Visit Athene North Shore Recreation Area at 2816 Shoreline Road, Des Moines, Iowa, 50320.
Iowa Confluence Water Trails
Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON) is on a mission to connect Iowans with their river roots. Brought to life in 2016 with the help of GOF, ICON is reimagining Iowa’s water trail safety, access, and economic opportunities by creating a connected network of more than 150 miles of rivers and creeks. With 80-plus improvements to come, the future is bright. Planning a day on the water? Check out these ICON water trails.
Located between Johnston and Urbandale, Beaver Creek offers fun for anglers, paddlers, and water lovers. With two sites completed, and one underway, Beaver Creek has something for everyone.
Six access points along the Des Moines River allow water-goers to choose their preferred water experience, from natural to urban. ICON has plans to add four future sites to this network.
Spanning from Ankeny to Pleasant Hill, Fourmile Creek offers two current ICON access points with plans for two future sites. Current amenities include playgrounds, bike trails, picnic shelters and more.
Located within Racoon River Park and Walnut Woods Park, these current access points offer many amenities including fishing, kayaking, playgrounds, picnic shelters and more. There are currently three planned future sites.
Chichaqua Bottoms & Skunk River
These ICON sites will offer campsites only accessible by kayak or canoe. Other improvements include on-water signage and new concrete launching area.
While no sites are currently open, learn more about the two planned access points.
Improvements at this site include walking trails, butterfly gardens, new signage and more. The future planned site will connect the City of Altoona’s Greenway trail and the creek.
Two planned sites will bring fishing, wading and respite areas to North River.
Five future sites on Walnut Creek will improve access to family-friendly wading, miles of nature trails, stairs for water access and more. Learn more about these planned sites.
