One of the most universally accessible parks in the country, on Easter Lake Park's north shore, is slated to open this weekend.

Easter Lake Park in southeast Des Moines draws more than a million visitors annually, making it Polk County Conservation's busiest park. And with more than 370,000 people with disabilities living in Iowa, Athene North Shore Recreation Area will give more community members with special needs an opportunity to make use of outdoor recreation space in the county.

The project, with an $8.6 million price tag, features everything from adaptive kayaks to a quiet wellness space, according to Jessica Lown, Polk County Conservation's community outreach supervisor. It was funded by city, county and state governments and corporate, individual and family donations.

Read the full article here: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/2024/05/03/universally-accessible-park-on-easter-lake-athene-north-shore-recreation-area-in-des-moines-to-open/73512564007/