Revitalizing the Riverbank at the Council Bluffs

Running along the Missouri River, the Council Bluffs riverbank has existed as a product of nature’s dynamic power since the last Ice Age. While the east bank of the bluffs holds potential as a scenic destination for visitors with its nature-filled and unrestrained lower shores, flooding has hindered accessibility. Collaborating with the Southwest Iowa Nonprofit for Collective Impact, HDR designed three structures on the east bank — the Mid-American Energy Adventure Tower, Treetop Walk and the Charles E. Lakin Pier — to allow visitors to engage with the land and foster a renewed connection to the river.

From Recreation to Relaxation

The three structures not only redefine the previously unusable floodway of the Missouri River but also incentivize visitors to interact with the land in a completely new way. Blending nature and interactive elements, these structures transform the riverbank into a recreational hub, offering opportunities for play and respite.

Key features include:

• Simple, repeating forms at the Adventure Tower create suspended platforms that link core structures, allowing users to easily interact with and navigate the area.
• Recreational activities at the tower, such as a 100-foot climbing wall, simulated caving and adventure courses, contribute to the effort to bolster community health.
• The Treetop Walk features a network of elevated bridges that offers visitors access to various areas of the floodplains’ forest and use a previously flooded, unusable space.
• The Charles E. Lakin Pier extends over the river and features an inclusive playscape with multisensory elements, canopies for protection against sun and rain and several observation decks offering views of downtown Omaha.

Forging the Path to a Healthier Community

With unobstructed access to the river and forest walking trails, the east bank at Council Bluffs promotes community health and encourages a relationship between visitors and the environment. Natural materials nod to the hillside landscape, surrounding forests and migratory birds, while easy access to walking trails inspires community interaction with their surroundings — stimulating both mental and physical wellness.