Where to Find Free Public Art in Downtown DSM: Fountain Edition

Downtown Des Moines (DSM) is packed with free and accessible public art, making it a prime artful destination. Walk the streets of Downtown and find public art on almost every block, including sculptures, murals and fountains, too! These works of public art celebrate history, culture and heritage, while adding beauty and intrigue to the cityscape. Spend a few hours searching out each fountain listed below for an afternoon of free public art in Downtown DSM.

Bicentennial Fountain

Location: Iowa State Capitol
Address: Finkbine Dr., Des Moines
The 10-foot-high Bicentennial Fountain sits at the entrance of the Iowa State Capitol in Downtown DSM. The current fountain was installed in 1982, replacing the original Renaissance-style Centennial Fountain. The water feature is a welcoming site as you walk up the exterior stairs toward the Iowa State Capitol building.

Buffalo Head Drinking Fountain

Location: Iowa State Capitol
Address: Finkbine Dr., Des Moines
Designed by Alexander Doyle who also designed Iowa’s Great Seal tablet, the Buffalo Head Drinking Fountain was made for drinking by horses, as well as humans. The original design featured a lion’s head, but the bronze buffalo head was determined to be more fitting to the region’s prairie landscape. A beautiful fixture on the Iowa State Capitol grounds, this fountain is a must-see on your tour of water features throughout Downtown DSM.

Denman Memorial Fountain

Location: Water Works Park
Address: 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines
This fountain can be found in Water Works Park in Downtown DSM and was constructed in 1976 to honor Charles Denman, Des Moines Water Works General Manager from 1896-1933. Located in the Arie den Boer Arboretum, featuring one of the world’s largest collections of flowering crabapple trees, this is a great spot for a moment of Zen or a quick selfie.

Photo Credit: Des Moines Water Works

Miffy Fountain

Location: Western Gateway Park
Address: 1100 Locust St., Des Moines
The Miffy Fountain is a Downtown DSM oasis integrated into Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park, just outside of Central Library. The sculpture is based on a character named Miffy in a children’s book series published in 1955 by author and illustrator Dick Bruna. Artist Tom Sachs brings a new view to Miffy with his hand sculpted fountain. The materials used to construct the sculpture were deliberately chosen by the artist to show “flaws” and insert a feeling of humanity. A unique aspect of the Miffy Fountain is that Miffy is shown crying. Tears spill from her eyes and collect in a pool at her feet.

Quantum Leaf

Location: Principal Riverwalk
Address: 115 Grand Ave., Des Moines
The centerpiece of the Quantum Leaf fountain is a bronze sculpture in the shape of an oversized dying leaf with its edges curled. The sculpture is in the middle of a shallow circular pond with water pouring from the leaf-form into the surrounding water. The beautiful fountain was artfully sculpted by Sally Vagliano Pettus and can be found just west of the Principal Riverwalk on the western banks of the Des Moines River.

Ruan Reflection Garden Fountain

Location: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Address: 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines
Next stop is the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s Ruan Reflection Garden. A tranquil space with a reflecting pool featuring a soothing water fountain and plenty of seating to take a breather, recharge and refocus. A perfect place to enjoy some shade under the katsura trees (also pictured at top of page) found throughout the garden and take in the unbelievable views of Downtown DSM.

Southeast Historic Water Trough

Location: Cohen Park
Address: 1000 Scott Ave., Des Moines
Installed in Downtown DSM in 1906 by the National Human Alliance (NHA), the Southeast Historical Water Trough represents a time before cars when people still used horses and buggies for transportation. The NHA’s mission was to promote humane treatment of animals, providing water to horses, dogs, cats and other animals with the fountains they installed across the country. The fountain operates today and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

And if you’re looking for water features that are a little more hands-on to enjoy with your kids, check out the Lauridsen Fountain in Cowles Commons and the Western Gateway Park Runnels Water Feature (currently under construction).

Find more free public art in Downtown Des Moines with this list of public art sculptures and this compilation of public art murals. To find a comprehensive list of regional art of all kinds, visit the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation’s website.