RELEASE: MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund Grant Awarded to City of Windsor Heights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Feb. 17, 2025

MIDAMERICAN ENERGY REGIONAL FUND GRANT AWARDED TO CITY OF WINDSOR HEIGHTS 

DES MOINES, IA (Feb. 17, 2025) – The Great Outdoors Foundation is pleased to announce that the MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund, a $5 million investment in ICON Water Trails, has awarded its $125,000 fall grant to the City of Windsor Heights. The funding will be used to establish access along Walnut Creek within the revitalized Colby Park.

The City of Windsor Heights’ access point is a part of ICON’s broader effort to activate 150 miles of water trails across central Iowa. With more than $100 million in funding secured so far, ICON’s strategy expands access to recreation, supports economic growth, and attracts visitors and residents alike to the region, all while bolstering on-water safety and environmental conservation. The impact of the initiative is evidenced in a 2024 economic study which found that ICON’s fifteen existing sites hosted more than 250,000 visitors and contributed to $11 million in spending — during one recreation season alone.

“ICON Water Trails highlights the significance of regional partnerships,” Kathryn Kunert, Vice President of Economic Connections and Integration at MidAmerican Energy Company said. “We’re proud to support the network expansion contributing to both the economic and environmental health of Central Iowa.”

“The MidAmerican Energy Regional Fund is an exemplary model of collaboration, foundational to ICON Water Trails.” Hannah Inman, Chief Executive Officer of the Great Outdoors Foundation, said. “This investment in our region builds on existing momentum and accelerates the strategy behind ICON to deliver measurable benefits throughout our community.”

In addition to establishing entry at this point along Walnut Creek, the new ICON site will also include:

• Stream restoration.
• Public art.
• Interpretive signage.
• Soft trails.
• Respite areas.
• Limestone stairways.

“We deeply appreciate MidAmerican Energy Company’s commitment to ICON and our region,” said Stephanie Oppel, Executive Director of ICON Water Trails. “Our partners continue to empower ICON in fulfilling its mission of restoring connection to our water trails, making our communities better places to live, work, play, and visit.”

“The City of Windsor Heights thanks its regional partners for their investment in our community and central Iowa. We are excited to build on the enhancements made to Colby Park in 2024 by constructing a water trail access west of the Park’s pavilion,” Mike Jones, Mayor of Windsor Heights said. “This grant will also support ongoing prairie restoration efforts throughout the city while deepening residents’ connection to Walnut Creek through the regional water trails initiative. We look forward to finalizing the water trail access design later this year and completing construction in 2025-2026.”

Construction at ICON’s Harriet Street site and Principal Point at the Scott Avenue Dam continue on schedule. ICON’s second whitewater access point, Hubbell Trailhead at the Fleur Drive Dam, will break ground in summer 2025. For regular construction updates, click here.

About the Great Outdoors Foundation 

The Great Outdoors Foundation exists to advance conservation through innovation, collaboration, and stewardship. We are foremost fundraising professionals in the conservation and outdoor recreation sector. Together, we activate meaningful, accessible initiatives that enhance our environment and improve quality of life. Over the last three years, we have invested more than $200 million in conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives, and we’re just getting started.

About ICON Water Trails 

ICON Water Trails is a regionally inclusive recreational confluence connecting culture, conservation, and adventure by empowering our waterways. When complete, ICON will connect 50+ access points across 150 miles of rivers and creeks in Central Iowa.  This transformational initiative represents a new commitment to water safety and conservation as well as a concerted effort to drive economic development, visitor attraction, and workforce retention.