Western Gateway Park

Downtown's Green Retreat

Located in the western entrance of downtown Des Moines, Western Gateway Park spreads across 13 acres of thoughtfully designed space. Since opening in 2006, it offers a breathing space amid the urban landscape where concrete meets creativity.

You'll find a clever balance here between natural areas and architectural elements, with public and private spaces flowing into one another in a way that just makes sense.

The bronze hare Thinker on a Rock by Barry Flanagan is perched atop a boulder

Photo: Daniel Hartwig (CC BY 2.0)

Art in the Open: The Pappajohn Sculpture Garden

A highlight of Western Gateway is the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, taking up 4.4 acres of the grounds. Opened in 2009, this outdoor gallery showcases 28 remarkable artworks - all donated by the Pappajohns in what stands as the most generous art gift ever received by the Des Moines Art Center.

Wandering through the garden, you'll encounter striking pieces by big-name artists like Louise Bourgeois, Jaume Plensa, Deborah Butterfield, and Judith Shea - all freely accessible under Iowa's open sky.

The 801 Grand Building rises behind the park's open green pathways

Photo: Robert Stinnett (CC BY 2.0)

Where Des Moines Comes Together

This park regularly hosts community events. It's home to the annual Des Moines Arts Festival and the indie-focused 80/35 Music Festival, transforming occasionally into a cultural hotspot that draws crowds from across the region. The park has even hosted moments of political significance, including a pre-election speech by Barack Obama in 2008, just days before he became president.

The beauty of the design is how it handles these large gatherings while still offering quiet corners for everyday visitors looking to eat lunch or read a book in peace.

Gary Hume's Back of a Snowman sculptures in contrasting black and white high-gloss bronze

Photo: Daniel Hartwig (CC BY 2.0)

Surrounded by Stunning Design

Look around and you'll notice the park is framed by an interesting mix of historic buildings and contemporary architecture. The central branch of the Des Moines Public Library sits nearby, as does the elegant Temple for Performing Arts and the Des Moines center for the University of Iowa.

Adding to this architectural tapestry, the Krause Gateway Center - designed by world-famous architect Renzo Piano - opened its doors in 2019 along the park's edge, bringing even more visual interest to the area.

Keith Haring's colorful sculpture of three dancing figures

Photo: Todd Van Hoosear (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Breathing New Life Into the City

Beyond being a pleasant place to visit, Western Gateway Park has contributed to revitalizing this section of Des Moines. It's drawn businesses and residents back to the area, showing the positive effects of incorporating green spaces into urban planning.