Community and business leaders gathered at Gray’s Lake Park off Fleur Drive on Tuesday for a ceremony breaking ground on the Hubbell Trailhead.

The trailhead is at the Fleur Dam on the Raccoon River and once complete will include several recreational amenities designed to improve economic development of the region. Known as a river launching point or access point, the trailhead will feature in-water waveshapers, a boat ramp, fish passage and more.

Stephanie Oppel, executive director of ICON Water Trails, said the Hubbell Trailhead will be operational in 2027.

“In just a short time, the Hubbell Trailhead will serve as an anchor point for the community, offering enhanced natural habitat opportunities for recreation and economic vitality,” she said. “In just the first five downtown projects, ICON will be investing more than $47 million in improvements to safety and conservation.”

The Hubbell Trailhead is one of ICON’s network of river access points used by 250,000 people and is estimated to generate $20 million in economic output annually.

On Tuesday, several leaders flipped dirt over with shovels to mark the start of the project.

Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, said the project is part of Iowa’s outdoor recreation sector, which generates $8 billion annually to the state’s economy. She said the trailhead will create a ripple effect of economic development.

“By showcasing our natural beauty and transforming our rivers and waterways into accessible spaces, we’re creating new opportunities for tourism, for small business and workforce attraction,” Durham said. “Think about the ripple effects: new outfitters and kayak rental shops, more visitors staying in our hotels, more foot traffic at nearby restaurants and shops, more reasons for people, especially young professionals and families, to choose Iowa as their home.”

There are more than 50 access points along waterways in Central Iowa. Other whitewater access points are at Center Street and at Scott Avenue.

“The spot we’re in today has just undergone an extreme transformation. As you look behind me, we have our Gray’s Station project and also this direction is the site of the future Iowa soccer stadium,” said Rick Tollakson, CEO of Hubbell Realty, which has committed $2 million to the water trails project. “It’s really a true testament to what’s happening. This is also another part of the master planning concept and I think it’s going to add a lot to the vitality and the workforce attraction of our community.”

The trailhead was made possible through a partnership with Hubbell Realty, Polk County, Polk County Conservation, ICON Water Trails and the Great Outdoors Foundation.