Iowa State
Parks Design
Guide

Client
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Location
Des Moines, IA
Completion date
November 2011

Iowa is the beneficiary of one of the largest collections of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) structures in the nation. In part due to the 1933 Iowa 25-Year Conservation Plan, Iowa had the first CCC camps west of the Mississippi. For generations, Iowa State Parks users have benefited from this architectural legacy. 

For the first time in over 80 years, the Iowa DNR has developed a Design Guide that will guide the next generation of park architecture. Through a dynamic process focused on cultural, ecological, and economic cues utilizing public and staff input, RDG worked to integrate the best of the rustic architectural identity of Iowa State Parks with the best of current sustainable design practices, materials and construction techniques. RDG developed an overall unifying visual state park experience that is built to last. 

Awards
Merit Award in Planning
ASLA Central States
2013
Honor Award in Planning
ASLA Iowa Chapter
2012