Des Moines has a wonderful trail system, but it has some gaps: What the city is doing about it
Sometimes a simple visualization can illuminate an issue in a powerful way.
When a map of disadvantaged neighborhoods in Des Moines is overlaid with a map of the city’s trail system, it shows starkly that few trails run through the lowest-income neighborhoods.
In a two-story package that starts on Page 1A in Sunday’s edition, Des Moines reporter Virginia Barreda examines the city’s efforts to make its trail system more easily accessible to all residents, as well as its plans for extending the city's 68 miles of trails by 12 additional miles by 2030.
Des Moines is rightfully proud of its 68 miles of trails, a quality-of-life amenity with proven physical and mental health benefits. Trails offer residents the opportunity to walk, bike and commute safely while getting some fresh air, socializing and visiting different parts of their community.
From my home on the west side of the city, my neighbors and I can get to a trail within a few blocks in a couple of directions. Everyone deserves that kind of easy access.
But ensuring trails in all parts of the city isn’t a snap-your-fingers process, Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page explained to Barreda, especially in densely populated, older neighborhoods with driveways every few paces. Early trails often were built on city-owned land along rivers and creeks that wasn't suitable for building, he said, but newer trails require securing land, funding and public and council support.
The Des Moines metro and cities and counties across central Iowa deserve credit for developing intracity trails and then teaming up to stitch together trail networks.
For example, the Dallas County Conservation Board has spearheaded a multiyear project to build a 9-mile connection between the western end of the High Trestle Trail in Woodward and the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Perry. The additional 9 miles is considered an extension of the High Trestle Trail, so Perry will have two trailheads, for the Racoon River Valley Trail and for the High Trestle Trail
Phase five of the connector project is underway this summer, and the final phase will be completed in 2024, said Mike Wallace, executive director of the Dallas County Conservation Board.
“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The project has taken years in part because the former railroad right of way was long ago converted to private ownership, so individual negotiations were required with each landowner along the route. The project’s price tag is closing in on $8 million, raised from city, county and state money and private funders such as the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Once completed, bicyclists will be able to ride a continuous 120-mile trail loop — made possible by vision, persistence and regional collaboration.
A salute to high school graduates
Also this week, a package of vignettes introduces you to five central Iowa high school graduates, part of a senior class affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during each year of their high school careers. School buildings were ordered closed in March 2020, during their freshman year, forever changing from that moment forward some aspects of their education and social lives.
Mary Arthur, Des Moines Lincoln; Rachel Garcia-Morales, Des Moines Roosevelt; Olivia Moody, North Polk; Zack Pinto, Ames; and Ella Rivas, Saydel, discuss how the pandemic affected them, the challenges they’ve faced and their post-graduation plans.
We've published several photo galleries from the graduation ceremonies of Des Moines metro high schools and plan to cover several more this week.
Coming next Sunday, June 4, look for publication of the Register’s annual Academic All-State recognition. A special section will celebrate the accomplishments of graduating seniors who excel in the classroom and in their communities.
Carol Hunter is the Register’s executive editor. She wants to hear your questions, story ideas or concerns at 515-284-8545, chunter@registermedia.com, or on Twitter: @carolhunter.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines has great trails, but system has gaps in low-income areas
