News Story

DES MOINES, IOWA – Monday, March 22, 2021 – Touted as a transformational project for the Des Moines and central Iowa, City Council members tonight unanimously approved the adoption of the Birdland Park and Mariana Master Plan.

The $54 million multi-phased project includes:

• Ecological restoration (23 acres)
• Paddling/rowing launches
• Fishing piers
• A beach
• Five shelters
• Trail expansion to 3.1 miles
• Triple amount of “play space”
• Twice number of marina slips
• Two-story boathouse for outfitter and new Captain Roy’s restaurant/bar

“What we really hope to do with this project is improve the connection between the marina and the Union Park neighborhood and make it easier for all residents to share the river,” said Mayor Frank Cownie.

Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page said the area would become another ‘crown jewel’ in the City’s park system.

“It will bring every type of recreational use to one spot, I can’t think of one other park that will have all the things that this park will have,” he said.

Ward II Councilwoman Linda Westergaard represents the Birdland areas and was instrumental in moving the plan forward.

“It is just another step in the process of making Des Moines better every single day,” she said. “It will reenergize our entire community.”

For more details and videos of the Birdland Park and Marina Master Plan, visit DSM.city/birdlandplan.