Raccoon River Park Beach, West Des Moines
(West Des Moines, IA) --- Junior triathletes will compete this weekend at West Des Moines' Raccoon River Park. Grand Avenue from River Ridge Drive to South 35th Street will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Raccoon River Park will remain open on Friday, but competition is expected to take place throughout the park. The public will have access to the western part of the beach only.
The main entrance to the park will be closed Saturday and Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. The beach and boat ramp will be closed on those days. The Boathouse will be open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. after triathlon activities end for the day.
Friday, July 12 (pre-event Triathlon impacts):
- Raccoon River Park will remain open, but swim, bike and run previews will be taking place throughout the park.
- The beach will remain open, but the eastern portion of the beach will be reserved for swim preview and course setup; the public will have access to the western portion of the beach.
- Grand Avenue will remain open, but a bike preview of the course will be held on Grand Avenue with assistance from the West Des Moines Police Department.
Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14 (Triathlon impacts):
- Grand Avenue will be closed from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. from River Ridge Drive to South 35th Street (see attached map).
- The main entrance to Raccoon River Park will be closed from approximately 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (access into the park will be via South 11th Street on the east side of the park).
- Parking will be very limited for the duration of the triathlon.
- The beach will be closed to the public for the duration of the triathlon.
- The boat ramp and the Raccoon River Park Boathouse will be closed to the public for the duration of the triathlon; the Boathouse will operate from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days after triathlon activities conclude for the day.