January 27, 2012

RDG Team Wins Water Works Parkitecture International Design Competition

Des Moines Water Works, working in partnership with Iowa State University Department of Landscape Architecture, officially announced in a January 25th press release that the collaborative team of Sasaki Associates, RDG Planning & Design and Applied Ecological Services has been selected as the winner of the Water Works Park Parkitecture Competition.

The international design competition entailed the creation of a conceptual plan for Water Works Park to form dynamic relationships between the river, the watershed, and the Greater Des Moines community.

A panel of judges representing the design industry, Des Moines Water Works and the Greater Des Moines area, reviewed 44 proposals and selected 5 finalists for further review and public comment. The winning team of Sasaki Associates, RDG Planning & Design and Applied Ecological Services was confirmed by the Board of Water Works Trustees of the City of Des Moines at their regular meeting on January 24th.

The competition sought proposals to integrate the ecological and social function of a park and river into a unified landscape; to inspire the community and to generate discussion about watershed issues and best practices; and offer innovative design solutions to address ecological and recreational challenges specific to Water Works Park. Throughout the design process, the design team interviewed citizens, community leaders, focus groups, and stakeholders, and will continue engaging the public throughout the master plan and implementation process of the park.

Des Moines Water Works and the design team will begin a concept validation process which will address specific issues and include public outreach. It is expected that a majority of the funds for implementation of the vision plan will be obtained through private fundraising and will not be borne by water rate payers.

Please visit Water Works Parkitecture to learn more about the winning design. Visit Des Moines Water Works to learn more about Water Works Park and the key role of Des Moines Water Works to provide safe, clean and reliable water supply to approximately 500,000 people in the Greater Des Moines area.