More than $2.7 million in improvements to MacRae Park, a 100-year-old park that overlooks the Raccoon River and downtown Des Moines, were approved Monday by the City Council. The park is located at 1021 Davis Ave. The third phase of improvements includes completion of a pedestrian and bicycle loop of the park, addition of a boardwalk over the park’s pond, and development of a natural playscape with water features that will be located west of the pond. Park improvements began about six years ago. A triangular-shaped steel overlook that provides views of downtown Des Moines and the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers was built. Nature trails were added and the pond, located along Southwest Ninth Street, was dredged and a new one developed next to it. Work is expected to begin this spring and be completed by fall, if bids come in for the project at or below budget.