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Gray's Lake Park

A Message from Des Moines Park and Recreation Director

We have had a terrific 2007 with lots of regular visitors and many special guests at special events. We do try to limit the special uses as the most important user of this park are those that regularly visit. You help keep the parks vital and safe through your ongoing use, eyes and ears. We are appreciative of everyone's acceptance of a mid summer closure for the Hy Vee Triathlon. It is an event that is quickly becoming one of the best events in Des Moines.

We have talked lots about the native grasses in the park and the value they serve. I am interested in your viewpoint, would you like to see more, less or are there particular locations that you have an opinion about. On this question and any issues feel free to email me anytime at dmtripp@dmgov.org.

"The Place to Meet"

With its many opportunities for walking, biking, and other activities, Gray’s Lake Park is the “Place to Meet” in the Des Moines Metro area. The centerpiece of the park’s renewal plan is the two-mile trail encircling the lake. This trail is lit and equipped with emergency phones, providing a beautiful, clean, and safe outdoor experience.

Connecting the trail on the south edge of the lake is a 1/4 mile pedestrian bridge, the only one of its kind in the Midwest. The bridge is lit and visible from Fleur Drive... a powerful message that Des Moines is an attractive and welcoming place to live and do business.

Along the railing of the pedestrian bridge, individual bridge plaque sponsors are recognized with a plaque bearing their name, company name, friends’, or loved ones’ names. A minimum $100 donation entitles you to a plaque. Each plaque is a brushed-aluminum rectangle measuring 4 x 2 1/3 inches. Sponsors may include up to two lines of text with 17 characters each, including spaces, for a total of 34 characters per plaque. An additional line at the top of a plaque, reading “In Memory of,” may be added upon request at no charge.

Make your mark on Gray’s Lake Park and purchase a pedestrian bridge plaque. Or, gift that hard-to-buy-for friend or family member on a landmark occasion/ holiday. These plaques are a permanent and impressive memorial of the community’s support for the restoration of Gray’s Lake Park.

Complete the Bridge Plaque Form with the text exactly as you would like it to appear on the Gray’s Lake Park pedestrian bridge. Return the form along with your check written for a minimum of $100 and payable to the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, 1915 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Your donation is tax deductible.

Gray's Lake e-news is sent out occasionally to provide park patrons quick updates regarding grounds, programs, development, etc. of the park and Meredith Trail. Email GraysLake@dmgov.org to be added to the recipient list.

We appreciate your feedback about Gray' s Lake and any other Des Moines Parks Department facility.

Park History

Through the centuries, the area that is today’s Gray’s Lake Park was part of the ever-changing course of the Raccoon River. Left behind after one such change in the Raccoon was an oxbow that would become Gray’s Lake Park. Residents of Des Moines in the early 20th century remember this body of water as a small pond. The land was originally owned by T.E. Brown, who sold 79 acres on the eastern edge of the property to Gaylord E. Gray. With concrete just coming of age, Gaylord Gray had the idea of mining sand and gravel out of this lake. He started the business in 1917, and eventually his son, Gaylord E. Gray, Jr., took over the operation. This mining caused the oxbow to increase in size, eventually forming a 100-acre lake. The last large project of the mining operation was the concrete for the main runway at the Des Moines International Airport.

Over the next several years, various plans for city ownership were developed but never brought to fruition. About this time, aerial photographs were being made of the city and the large body of water needed to be named on the map. People had started referring to it as Gray’s Lake due to the partial ownership of the Gray family members. The name Gray’s Lake was suggested and adopted. After the quarry operations ended, Des Moines Marine Company leased the eastern half to operate Marine Beach. Then, in 1959, a Holiday Inn Motel was built on the southwest corner, setting the stage for commercial development. Each time requests for more commercial development came forward, citizens spoke out against it, urging public recreation instead.

Compelling arguments and persistence by community activist Paula Brown encouraged action for the use of the lake as a park. Former Iowa Congressman Neal Smith was instrumental in securing a grant from the Federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, along with other funds. Chamber of Commerce President Robb B. Kelley led a fund drive to raise money to match the federal grant to the city. On April 28, 1970, Gray’s Lake was dedicated as a city park.

In 1993 a flood destroyed the Holiday Inn. For years, the abandoned and partially demolished building remained. In 1998, David and Elizabeth Kruidenier came forward with a vision and pledge of $1.5 million for a trail to be made around the lake. Construction deadlines on the Kruidenier gift encouraged city leaders to move at an accelerated pace. At this time, the Weitz Company owned about one-third of the lake. It was this company’s generosity that made it possible for the City of Des Moines to acquire the final portion of the lake. On October 26, 1998, the City of Des Moines accepted financial gifts from Polk County, area businesses and private citizens, many of which were with the condition that the area be developed for public recreation. The Greater Des Moines Community Foundation served as fiscal agent for the project.

City officials and staff joined with citizens in planning, designing, building and funding the new Gray’s Lake Park. Gray’s Lake Park is an urban gem drawing people looking for a place of peaceful retreat and outdoor recreation, and provides a beautiful gateway to downtown Des Moines.

Naturally Fun Canoe Classes

URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

• Canoe Basics – Choose one class
  Tuesday, May 13
  Tuesday, June 3
  Tuesday, June 17
  6:00-9:00 p.m.
  Gray’s Lake Park
  Come learn the basics of canoeing while exploring Gray’s Lake. A canoe lesson will make first-time canoers feel at ease on the water. All equipment is provided. Participants 10-15 years of age need an adult who is at least 21 years of age or older to be their tandem partner. Pre-registration required at least 48 hours in advance. Call 237-1386 to register.

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• Learn to Sail at Gray's Lake!
  Sailing lessons will begin June 9, with 5 different sessions throughout the summer. Pick the session that fits your schedule and learn the basics of sailing. Three lessons per session provided by a qualified, experienced instructor. Sailboats and lifejackets are provided. Classes are Mondays and Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Cost is $25 per person per session. Pre-registration is required.
  
  Session dates, more information, and the registration form.

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• Advanced Canoe Basics – Choose one class
  Tuesday, June 10
  Tuesday, July 15
  6:00-9:00 p.m.
  Gray’s Lake Park
  Requires previous basic canoeing instruction or equivalent experience. This course will briefly revisit the fundamentals of basic canoeing, and then add more paddling strokes as well as in-water rescue techniques. Canoes, lifejackets and paddles provided. Dress in swimsuits, shorts, or other clothing suitable for getting wet. Participants 10-15 years of age must be accompanied. Participants 10-15 years must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years of age or older. Pre-registration required at least 48 hours in advance. Call 237-1386 to register.

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• Basic Whitewater Canoe Class with Trip to Minnesota
  Thursday, June 12
  6:00-9:00 p.m.
  June 13-14 Optional trip to Minnesota (Kettle River)
  Requires previous advanced canoeing instruction or equivalent experience. This course briefly revisits basic and advanced canoeing instruction, and introduces basic whitewater strokes and skills. A trip to the Kettle River north of Minneapolis is an optional outing for class participants only. Trip participants leave on Friday afternoon/evening, self-arrange accommodations (camping or motel) and return Saturday evening. Canoes, lifejackets and paddles provided for both class and optional trip. Dress in swimsuits, short or other clothing suitable for getting wet. Must be 21 years or older. Pre-registration is required by June 6. Call 237-1386 to register.

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• Des Moines River Outing - Choose one or both outings
  Saturday, July 19
  Saturday, September 6
  9:00-12:00 p.m.
  Local Waterways
  Wouldn’t you rather be on the water, rather than driving over it? Depending on water levels, this trip will be on one of several local flat-water rivers, like the Des Moines, Raccoon or Skunk Rivers. Requires knowledge of basic canoeing instruction or equivalent experience. Pre-registration required at least 48 hours in advance. Call 237-1386 to register.