A rezoning request to allow for a 50-acre mountain bike park on Des Moines' eastern border has met resistance from more than a dozen neighbors.

• Enough responded in opposition to a city survey to require a supermajority approval — at least six of seven votes — by the city council later this month in order for the project to move forward.

Why it matters: The Copper Creek Mountain Bike Park could be an important boost for recreation in eastern Polk County, Supervisor Tom Hockensmith tells Axios.

Yes, but: Some of the points made by opponents are about issues that could affect the wider community.

• Destruction of wildlife habitat and exacerbated flood risks are among their concerns.

Plus: Neighbors have for years battled with dumping or other illegal activities in some sections of the proposed park area.

• Multiple opponents fear the park could make some of those problems worse, according to written opposition submitted to DSM zoning officials.

The other side: The park would help alleviate many of the ongoing problems because the area will have better lighting and oversight, Jessica Lown, an outreach supervisor for the conservation department, told Axios.

Catch up fast: The area is undeveloped and multiple attempts to build on parts of the site by previous owners have failed, largely because of its rough terrain.

• Polk County Conservation last year purchased the land — which connects to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail just off East University Avenue — for $300K and announced plans for the park.

Details: The proposal is for a four-mile, soft-surface trail system optimized for mountain bikes and fat tire winter biking.

What's next: A public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Go deeper

Democratic U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne and Republican challenger, Iowa Sen. Zach Nunn, sparred in their first televised debate Thursday evening with abortion rights taking center stage.

Why it matters: Iowa's 3rd Congressional District race is one of the tightest races in the country. Cook Political Report narrowly ranked it as "leans Republican" as of Wednesday.

• Axne won in 2020 by less than 1.5 percentage points.

Driving the news: Abortion rights prompted the most heated portion of the debate, with Axne asserting all decisions should be made between a woman and her doctor.

• She said she supported the Women's Health Protection Act as a way to codify Roe v. Wade.

Meanwhile, Nunn said he is "pro-life," but supports allowing women to get an abortion in the case of rape, incest and fetal abnormalities. He believes it's up to states to determine abortion rights.

• Nunn said he supported the MOMS Program, a bill that passed the Iowa Legislature this year that provides $500K in funding to centers that provide abortion alternatives.

Where they disagreed: Both candidates accused each other of being disingenuous about their stances. Axne accused Nunn of being against all abortions, but he disagreed and has said one of her ads puts his beliefs out of context.

• Nunn condemned Axne, saying she supported all abortions right up to birth because of her support of the Women's Health Protection Act. She said his assertion was "offensive" and the Act only allows late-term abortions if the mother's life is at risk.

Of note: Iowa PBS also hosted a Senate debate between Republican incumbent Chuck Grassley and challenger Mike Franken. You can watch that here.

The water runnel at Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines will be permanently removed next year.

What's happening: The iconic creek-like wading pool leaks, its chlorination system is broken and the concrete around it is deteriorating. It was closed this year.

• It'll be replaced with decorative pavement and water features, including a play fountain area, according to plans outlined before the city council this week.

Flashback: The runnel is one of the original features of the 13-acre park, which opened in 2006.

State of play: Iowa's weather is tough on water features and the runnel must either be paved over, rebuilt or redesigned, Ben Page, DSM parks and recreation director, told Axios Thursday.

• The redesign was chosen based on user feedback and the popularity of DSM's spraygrounds, he said.

Driving the news: The city council agreed this week to hire an engineering firm to design the new features.

• Work is expected to begin next year and be completed by summer 2024.

What's next: Construction bids will be requested in coming months.

• DSM has budgeted $800,000 for the project.

Full story

Friday

🐲 Let out your inner nerd and check out Dungeons & Dragons art at the Des Moines New Age Shop this weekend.

🎹 It's First Friday at Mainframe Studios. Smash a piano for $5 to help City Sounds sustain its piano program. 5-8pm.

Saturday

💃 Stop by Sully's for Drag Queen Bingo from 1-3pm.

🐶 The ARL is hosting a low-cost vaccine clinic for dogs from 9am to noon at DAV Thrift Store.

☀️ Take the whole family to Raccoon River Rally at Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines.

• Race cardboard boats, snag food and play in the fun zone. Noon to 6pm.

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Marketing Coordinator at DR Horton.
2. Senior Associate, Technology Assurance - IT Audit at KPMG.
3. Account Executive - Commerce at Perficient.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

A team of almost 100 volunteers, including a few city council members, built a new playground at Evergreen Park Thursday.

• “This playground would be half the size that it is if we had to pay someone to install it,” Councilperson Joe Gatto said.
• Most of the construction was completed by the end of the day.

Yes, but: The new equipment won't officially open until next week, after the concrete has cured.

• Watch a timelapse video of the construction.