Located approximately five miles southeast of downtown Des Moines, the Great Ape Trust of Iowa will be constructed on 137 acres of land once used as a sand and gravel quarry. The remarkably innovative design that calls for the creation of several islands on the site – each island will serve as home to one of the great ape species: Bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans. To combat the harsh Iowa winters, buildings on each island will be connected by heated passageways or tunnels called ApeWalks. First phase consists of utility infrastructure, the main residence / research lab building, core mechanical, electrical, communication, security and technology systems., and connecting passageways, and all sitework including the creation of man made islands.