Dedication of the Folded Flags exhibit at Veterans Parkway and Brown’s Woods Drive in West Des Moines is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday. The exhibit was designed by Shive-Hattery Inc. Architects & Engineers. The Folded Flags exhibit, which features 15 15-foot-tall folded flags, will be lit at night. City staff tested the lighting this week. Photos provided by the city of West Des Moines

Travel along West Des Moines’ Veterans Parkway in the coming years and you’ll likely get a sense of awe and gratitude for the men and women who have served in the armed services since the United States’ inception. 

Begin at Brown’s Woods Drive and Veterans Parkway and you’ll see 15 15-foot-tall fabricated folded flags, each standing straight on a pointed corner, in five rows. If you travel the area at night, the public artwork will be lit. 

Travel farther west and you’ll see vertical panels in the medians, each panel honoring a branch of the U.S. military. At the western end of Veterans Parkway – more than 11 miles from the flag exhibit – you’ll find another exhibit featuring the red stripes of the U.S. flag with words inscribed on them that have special meaning to the veterans who helped create the parkway’s special features.

On Friday, the first phase of the public art planned for Veterans Parkway – the Folded Flag exhibit – will be dedicated in a special ceremony that will feature apple pie, patriotic music and a 21-gun salute. 

West Des Moines officials believe the public art enhancements planned along Veterans Parkway, which is being extended over Interstate Highway 35, are the first of their kind in the Des Moines area.

“We are all about making our major streets a little bit more special by enhancing them in some way,” said Sally Ortgies, West Des Moines’ parks and recreation director. “With Veterans Parkway going in, it was a perfect opportunity to look at ways we could bring public art in to enhance the experience for people driving on that street.

“And it only made sense to honor veterans.”

Planning for the public art along the parkway took about two years, Ortigies said. Representatives from veterans’ groups, area property owners and city staff met several times to discuss ideas. 

Many veterans who took part in planning for the artwork frequently reflected about their military service, Ortgies said. “During funeral services – when a folded flag is given to a family member – is the ultimate reflection.”

The public artwork was designed by Shive Hattery Architect & Engineering.

The Folded Flags exhibit cost $201,880 and was paid for with money from West Des Moines’ Capital Improvement Program. In addition, $50,000 was provided by Bravo Greater Des Moines

Ortgies said it’s not yet known when the other two phases of the project will be completed.

The dedication ceremony on Friday begins at 7:30 p.m. at Brown’s Woods Drive and Veterans Parkway. No parking is available at the site. Shuttle service will be provided from a parking area at Southeast First Street and Thornton Avenue. People attending the ceremony are urged to bring lawn chairs. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled.

More information can be found here.