Oct 28, 2025 - Culture

Urbandale opens new Walnut Creek access and art installation

Linh Ta

Nighttime outdoor scene with illuminated mushroom-shaped sculptures glowing green, orange, and pink, casting colorful light patterns on the ground and surrounded by trees and a pathway. — "Journey" by James Peterson. Photo: Courtesy of City of Urbandale

Urbandale officials are celebrating two new additions at Walker Johnston Park today.

State of play: The park now features a new public access point to North Walnut Creek and a light-up art installation, as part of the ICON Water Trails project.

Zoom in: The $260,000 access project includes limestone stairs, an accessible trail to the creek, an outdoor classroom and new landscaping.

It was partially funded by a $125,000 MidAmerican grant.

Plus: "Journey," an $80,000 public art installation, features "colossal" fungi and is inspired by nature exploration.

Los Angeles artist James Peterson created the piece and the city received a $60K grant to help fund it.

If you go: Urbandale officials are meeting for a ribbon-cutting today at 5:30pm.

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Urbandale opens new Walnut Creek access and art installation

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