Des Moines trail closures reach "painful" level this summer
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Photo: Courtesy of Des Moines Parks and Recreation
Des Moines is undergoing an unusually high number of trail closures and construction this summer, resulting in a "painful" period for outdoor enthusiasts, says city parks planner Colby Fangman.
Why it matters: The city's extensive trails link people across the metro, and closures can cause major disruption, especially in the summertime.
- But they're also necessary to help bring the next generation of smoother, safer trails.
State of play: There are several reasons for the "extraordinary" year of construction, Fangman says.
- Des Moines allocated $1 million in ARPA funding for trails that must be used by 2026.
- 3+ years of drought as well as recent severe storms damaged pavement and needs to be replaced.
- Other projects, such as road construction, levee improvements and the ICON waterway have also caused closures.
Plus: The parks department was recently allocated more city funding, from $184K annually in FY22 to $400K annually plus 3% inflation starting next month, FY25.
Zoom in: Some major closures include the Bill Riley Trail and nearby Levee Trail, which take users west, as well as the Carl Voss Trail, which travels southeast towards Easter Lake. They're expected to finish this winter and fall, respectively.
- The Wakonsa Bridge, which connects people to Johnston, is indefinitely closed due to a fallen tree that will likely require an outside contractor, Fangman says.
Between the lines: While cyclists have asked for detours for popular trails like Bill Riley, it's not so simple, he explains.
- Grand Avenue could have been a cycling detour, for example, but because official detours must be legally accessible for all trail users, they cannot offer it because it's not safe for everyone, like wheelchair users.
What they're saying: "The payoff is the next two decades going forward," Fangman says.
What's new: Several other major trail projects are also underway.
- Central Trail: The "west bank" of the Neal Smith Trail will help some of Des Moines' highest low-income areas access the trail system. Construction starts this year.
- Karras-Kaul Trail: A connector between Carlisle and Des Moines, in recognition of the RAGBRAI founders' desire to bring people to more rural areas of Iowa, is 50% complete and expected to open early fall.
- 63rd Street trail: Construction has begun on a joint project with West Des Moines to connect Raccoon River Park to Veterans Parkway on the east side of 63rd.
- SE Connector: An extension of MLK Jr. Parkway between the Gay Lea Wilson Trail to Pleasant Hill will take a few years to complete.
Plus: The northern part of the Great Western Trail under Polk County's jurisdiction was recently approved for repaving this fall.
- A connector between the Raccoon River Valley Trail and the High Trestle Trail is also expected to finish by August.
Be smart: Get up-to-date Des Moines trail closures here and view planned closures here.