Partners Approve New Trail Identity as Bridge Construction Proceeds

Wed June 03 2009
Posted Jun 3, 2009
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“High Trestle Trail” selected as official name for central Iowa trail from Ankeny to Woodward The final three-mile segment of central Iowa’s recreational trail between Ankeny and Woodward is firmly on schedule for a Fall 2010 completion date. Thanks to a successful public fundraising campaign and recent approval of construction bids, work on the trail’s dramatic bridge and final linking segments will begin soon. Polk County Conservation accepted the construction bid at their May 13 meeting. The contract was awarded to Cramer and Associates of Grimes, at a total bid price of just over $2.9 million. Work on both approaches to the bridge will take place this summer and fall. Bridge construction will begin in the late fall or early winter, depending on weather. Construction on the bridge is a significant milestone for this recreational trail and an ideal time for the partners to unveil the trail’s new, “official” name, “High Trestle Trail,” which comes with a tagline, “discover a new view.” The trail’s new name -- and an accompanying logo -- were recently approved by the 10-member partnership that has been active in development and fundraising. The partnership includes nine public agencies (five communities and four counties) and a private conservation group, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The name and tagline were inspired by the bridge’s past and present, says Deb Dyar, City of Ankeny public relations officer. The city’s public relations office developed the creative “package” for the trail’s new title and logo. “The name, “High Trestle Trail,” will honor the historic trestle bridge of long ago, with a nod to today’s contemporary architecture, celebrating the urban-to-rural trail experience and the coal-mining past of the area,” says Dyar. “The tagline ‘discover a new view’ is meant to evoke anticipation and discovery as users of all kinds traverse the trail and experience its spectacular view from the half- mile, 13-story bridge overlooking the Des Moines River Valley.” The trail has been a multi-year project, starting in 2003. Since then, partners have raised about $14.7 million in public and private funding and land value to bring this project to life. The total includes more than 20 public grants and three special appropriations, as well as 800 private donors who contributed donations, large and small, from communities in central Iowa and friends across the state and nation. A project of this scope would never happen without many, many partners and friends,” says Lisa Hein, Program and Planning Director at INHF, a group that supports establishment of rail-trails and other types of conservation corridors statewide. Already, 22 miles of the trail are open: The longest stretch is 20 miles from Ankeny to Sheldahl, Slater and Madrid. In Slater, it also connects to the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail. “There probably won’t be much obvious bridge construction activity right away, as the first steps are not conducted on-site,” says Hein. “This final section of the trail will remain closed during construction between QF Lane and O Ave. in Boone County.” The groups are still accepting contributions for the trail and for enhancements such as signage and restoration of an overlook at the west end of the bridge that will be added when the trail itself is completed. The communities of Woodward, Madrid, Slater and Sheldahl are fundraising for related projects, including trailheads and restoration of historic buildings near the trail. For more information, e-mail Ann Robinson, INHF Outreach Coordinator, or call 515-288-1846.