Nice and clean, lots of space to walk, nice view of downtown and buildings, near shopping and restaurants

Even though it was bitter cold, I checked out the walk. A nice stroll indeed with a raging river to my left. Worth it but better in warmer weather lol.

This area has a few different points of interest. You have a nice view of the capitol from here. You can see the Women of Achievement Bridge, and the cute park that looks like a fishing pole with a red and white bobber. While there, a homeless or transient man was walking, sitting, and lying in the area. Just be cautious and aware of your surroundings, as you would anywhere.

A city isn't a real one unless it has a harbour or a river is running through. The Des Moines River is dividing the city between down town and East Village. I've done my morning runs along the river up and down on both sides. Well, I've seen more pleasant river sides, but it's absolutely worth the walk. In some places there's some construction work going in so i just had to switch to the other side. In the upper end there's the Rotary Riverside Park for kids that is just being extended with a skateboarding park and on the opposite side there's the tiny Asian park with the small pagoda. I liked the pedestrian bridge. However I think the city should further development the Riverside.

The river is fast flowing, with various nice sigtseeing points, but overall it is not very special, certainly compared to many others in the US or world