The Walnut Creek Trail Connector - Is it really here?

Posted Oct 31, 2008
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New asphalt Monday (11/3) on a major Des Moines Trails connector! Updated Tuesday Nov 4th 8:03 pm - Paving Complete!

One more Trail Connector in Place! The second and final asphalt layer was completed about noon today. Shoulders still need to be graded but the trail is open! I rode the new trail a few times today. It is nice and smooth, and will be a GREAT connector for commuters and trail users! I forgot my camera, so a buddy took these through his phone. Looks like a formal ribbon cutting ceremony may be next spring... But... Don't let that stop you from using the trail all winter long! Note: there may be construction crews on the trail in the coming weeks back filling the shoulders. Be aware. give them the right-away so they can complete the trail. Add comments

New asphalt! Pictures courtesy of Will-Goatee-Anderson!

Laying asphalt on Monday Picture courtesy of Carl "the bikeman" Voss

original post After nearly 8 years of planning, setbacks, stalls, poor soil and weather conditions and another flood, the Walnut Creek Trail connector will be paved on Monday, November 3rd! Just in time early November trail users, a hefty gravel base was laid on Friday, October 31st as was the final plans for paving after the ghoul-ish weekend. The nearly three-quarter-mile segment would run from North Valley Drive to the Bill Riley Trail along Walnut Creek, to create a link with the rest of the trail stretching from Jefferson, through the metro area into downtown Des Moines and back north to Big Creek State Park near Saylorville Lake. The previous two segments of the trail provided connections from downtown's west end to Ashworth Park. "This trail is one of the most important trails in the state," said Richard Brown, Des Moines parks planner. "By completing the link, trail users will have access to just about every corner of the metro area by trail." Stay Tuned for the Official opening coming VERY soon!!!! Previous Walnut Creek Trail news and features