2013 Map of Des Moines SW

About this map

The Raccoon River and Walnut Creek converge in this western portion of the state capital, shaping a landscape defined by water and heavy infrastructure. The expansive footprint of the Des Moines International Airport dominates the southern reaches, while the historic rail-side identity of Valley Junction persists in the central corridor. Established residential neighborhoods like Windsor Heights and Crestwood sit north of the river, while the suburban southern edge transitions toward newer developments such as The Meadows and Lakewood. Extensive recreational and public spaces are evident throughout, from the Blank Park Zoo and Grays Lake in the east to the Willow Creek Golf Course and the wooded terrain along Browns Woods Drive. This era shows a dense network of major thoroughfares like Army Post Road and Grand Avenue connecting the disparate residential pockets and industrial zones.