Open Doors, Open Minds
Building a Legacy in Nature's Evolving Sanctuary
- Legacy and Nature: Legacy isn’t just about human achievements, but also about nurturing nature’s enduring strength.
- Generational Forest: Towering oaks represent the past, while young saplings symbolize the future, creating a diverse and thriving forest.
- Openness and Collaboration: Open doors and minds guide the creation of diverse garden corridors, built on partnerships.
- Native Plant Power: Native plants are championed, fostering a healthy ecosystem.
- Water Wise Practices: Responsible water usage ensures a vibrant future for the sanctuary.
- Evolving Legacy: The ever-changing landscape reflects the continuous connection between humans and nature.
- Nature’s Sanctuary: This space transcends generations, becoming a testament to a legacy rooted in nature.
- Promise for the Future: The stories of the past will inspire future stewards, bound by the enduring beauty of this sanctuary.
Legacy Woods: Be the Future
Legacy Woods is more than a place, it’s a movement. It’s a call to action, an invitation to become stewards of the past, architects of a thriving tomorrow, and weavers of a legacy that will resonate for generations.
The city of West Des Moines, alongside Dan Houston and Don Schoen, orchestrated the Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary Project, but now you hold the baton.
Create new memories with your group and/or family while honoring the past. This unique project offers the opportunity to host events, explore the outdoors, and uncover artifacts that whisper the land’s story. Give your children and grandchildren a place to play, learn, and grow where history comes alive.
Become the next chapter in this magnificent story.
The Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary encourages your support in our efforts to preserve, educate, and celebrate the rich history and heritage of West Des Moines. Your contribution will make a lasting difference in our community and our mission. Together, let’s raise our voices and ensure the legacy of this land, of our community, continues to blossom for centuries to come.
Imagine the power to shape the future, to become guardians of a legacy and architects of a vibrant tomorrow.
Step into Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary and discover a land rich with heritage. This sprawling property allows you to experience a piece of the past.
- Over 30 acres of NATURAL BEAUTY dotted with HISTORIC LANDMARKS
- The WALKING TRAILS meander through the rolling hills, towering trees, and a gently flowing creek
- A new WETLAND PROJECT offers a chance to learn about water management and take part in the long-standing tradition of fishing
- The NATURAL PLAYSCAPE lets children engage in imaginative, free-form play amid elements from the natural world
- A vibrant new FRUIT ORCHARD will describe the orchard's features, including seasonal beauty, educational opportunities, and organic food production.
- The JORDAN HOUSE, an inviting museum that dates to the 1800s, originally served as the historic home of the Jordan family and is today recognized by the National Register of Historic Places.
- OAK HILL CEMETERY, the final resting place for many, provides a glimpse into the region's early history
Giving Opportunities
Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary isn’t just a name – it’s a rising crescendo. It’s a call to become custodians of our past, architects of our future, and weavers of a legacy that will echo in the hearts of generations to come. Will you join us in conducting this symphony? Will you answer the call of nature’s whispers and become a note in the melody of The Legacy Woods Nature Sanctuary?
Below are conceptual areas for giving opportunities. If interested please email or call us!
A: Open-Air Shelter Toilets, Gathering Space, Wedding Venue, Picnic Shelter
B: Pergola 400sqf. of 10′ Tall, 400sqf. of 14′ Tall Wooden Trellis, Craftsman Style 1
C: Bench Fixed Bench, Stone Block, Aluminum, Wood, Recycled Plastic, Not As A Part Of Other Items Unless Noted
F: Picnic Space Special Paving, Precast Concrete Table & Integral Seats. Top May Include A Checker/Chess Board, & Waste Receptacle
J: Scenic Overlook Special Paving With Two Benches
S: Nature Play Space Structured Play Space Using Things Found In Nature Ie: Boulders, Logs, Etc.
W: Great Lawn Ceremonial Space For Structured Activities Or Passive Recreation
M: Donor Wall 6′ Tall Stone Faced Wall For Facility Map And Educational Materials
N: Entry Plaza Flagstone Plaza Adjacent To Donor Wall With Five Benches. 1190 S.F.
Y: Specialty Herbaceous Gardens
Fishing Dock Area G,H
- G: Fishing Dock Floating Dock And Gangway For Fishing
- H: Forebay C.I.P. Wall With Weirs For Sediment Control At Pond
T: Constructed Wetland Educational Item Demonstrating Wetland Biome
E: Viewing Platform Special Paving With Two Benches
K: Arboretum Collection-Tree Wide Variety Of Trees Min. 100 Different Species
L: Arboretum Collection-Shrub Wide Variety Of Shrubs Approx. 80 Different Species
V: Prairie Restoration Of Prairie That Existed When WDM Was Founded
U: Grassland Maze Maze Using Ornamental Grasses
Q: Orchard Tree Apple, Pear, Cherry, And Plum Trees
X Adventure Trail Trail Are Steeper Than Ada Allows. Likely Will Require Steep Slopes And Steps
R: Pedestrian Bridge Connection To WDM Trail System Over Jordan Creek. Includes Abutments And Railings
P: Bioretention Cell Water Quality Devices As Educational Items. Could Be Rain Gardens Depending On Soils
D: Donor Bricks Carved Clay Bricks With Donor’s Name
F: Picnic Space Special Paving, Precast Concrete Table & Integral Seats. Top May Include A Checker/Chess Board, & Waste Receptacle
T Constructed Wetland Educational Item Demonstrating Wetland Biome
L Arboretum Collection-Shrub Wide Variety Of Shrubs Approx. 80 Different Species (three hundred)
S Nature Play Space Structured Play Space Using Things Found In Nature Ie: Boulders, Logs, Etc.
Q Orchard Tree Apple, Pear, Cherry, And Plum Trees (seventy)
F Picnic Space Special Paving, Precast Concrete Table & Integral Seats. Top May Include A Checker/Chess Board, & Waste Receptacle (five)
C Bench Fixed Bench, Stone Block, Aluminum, Wood, Recycled Plastic, Not As A Part Of Other Items Unless Noted (twenty two)
E Viewing Platform Special Paving With Two Benches (two)
G Fishing Dock Floating Dock And Gangway For Fishing
W Great Lawn Ceremonial Space For Structured Activities Or Passive Recreation
E Viewing Platform Special Paving With Two Benches (two)
X Adventure Trail Trails Are Steeper Than Ada Allows. Likely Will Require Steep Slopes And Steps (two)
J Scenic Overlook Special Paving With Two Benches
K Arboretum Collection-Tree Wide Variety Of Trees Min. 100 Different Species (two hundred fifty)
A Open-Air Shelter Toilets, Gathering Space, Wedding Venue, Picnic Shelter
A: Open-Air Shelter Toilets, Gathering Space, Wedding Venue, Picnic Shelter
B: Pergola 400sqf. of 10′ Tall, 400sqf. of 14′ Tall Wooden Trellis, Craftsman Style 1
C: Bench Fixed Bench, Stone Block, Aluminum, Wood, Recycled Plastic, Not As A Part Of Other Items Unless Noted
F: Picnic Space Special Paving, Precast Concrete Table & Integral Seats. Top May Include A Checker/Chess Board, & Waste Receptacle
J: Scenic Overlook Special Paving With Two Benches
S: Nature Play Space Structured Play Space Using Things Found In Nature Ie: Boulders, Logs, Etc.
W: Great Lawn Ceremonial Space For Structured Activities Or Passive Recreation
M: Donor Wall 6′ Tall Stone Faced Wall For Facility Map And Educational Materials
N: Entry Plaza Flagstone Plaza Adjacent To Donor Wall With Five Benches. 1190 S.F.
Y: Specialty Herbaceous Gardens
Fishing Dock Area G,H
- G: Fishing Dock Floating Dock And Gangway For Fishing
- H: Forebay C.I.P. Wall With Weirs For Sediment Control At Pond
T: Constructed Wetland Educational Item Demonstrating Wetland Biome
E: Viewing Platform Special Paving With Two Benches
K: Arboretum Collection-Tree Wide Variety Of Trees Min. 100 Different Species
L: Arboretum Collection-Shrub Wide Variety Of Shrubs Approx. 80 Different Species
V: Prairie Restoration Of Prairie That Existed When WDM Was Founded
U: Grassland Maze Maze Using Ornamental Grasses
Q: Orchard Tree Apple, Pear, Cherry, And Plum Trees
X Adventure Trail Trail Are Steeper Than Ada Allows. Likely Will Require Steep Slopes And Steps
R: Pedestrian Bridge Connection To WDM Trail System Over Jordan Creek. Includes Abutments And Railings
P: Bioretention Cell Water Quality Devices As Educational Items. Could Be Rain Gardens Depending On Soils
D: Donor Bricks Carved Clay Bricks With Donor’s Name
Click map to zoom in.
Different Levels To Give
If interested in giving, please just reach out ot us by phone or email. You can give as a one-time donations by check or credit card. You can give on a scheduled or even set up a stock donation.
- Seed – $250-$999
- Sprout – $1,000-$2,499
- Bud- $2,500-$4,999
- Blossom $5,000 – $9,999
- Sapling – $10,000-$24,999
- Grove – $25,000-$49,999
- Woodland – $50,000-$99,999
- Forest – $100,000-$299,999
- Canopy – $300,000 – $499,999
- Legacy – $500,000+
