Polk County Conservation is working with the City of West Des Moines
and West Lakes Properties LLC to relocate a section of the Great Western
Trail at the SE Corner of the Veteran's Parkway and Highway 5
intersection. (click here for a map)
The existing trail corridor bisects the West Lakes property and lies
in the path of the new extension of Maffit Road, eastward of Veterans
Parkway. Development of the West Lakes land and the extension of Maffit
Road will present public safety and access challenges.
Polk County Conservation has entered negotiations with the other
parties to move the trail right-of-way to an alternate route, preserving
a continuous corridor while avoiding at grade road crossings and
conflicts with multiple commercial trail crossings.
The City of West Des Moines is constructing a new underpass (tunnel)
for the trail to cross beneath the new Maffit Road and West Lakes
Properties LLC will construct a new trail on the negotiated site. The
new trail is to be constructed to Polk County Conservation
specifications.
Polk County Conservation's willingness to enter into negotiations to
relocate the Great Western Trail from its current alignment included
several requests which were to: preserve a continuous trail corridor,
continuity of trail use, no loss of publically-owned property, and
public safety in this rapidly developing area. We are pleased that all
of these requests were met.
The proposed relocation will ensure public safety by the use of a
tunnel to separate trail users from motor vehicles, ensure that no land
area is lost from public ownership, keep the trail open for use during
construction (the new trail will be completed prior to closing the
existing route) , and maintain a well constructed enjoyable trail into
the future. Anticipated development in this area will take place over
the next two recreation seasons.
Public wanting more information about this relocation can attend an
Open House scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th, 7-8 p.m., at the Des
Moines Bicycle Collective located at 506 E. 6th St., Suite 100, in Des
Moines. Parking is available on the street or in the lot across the
street from Capitol Hill Lutheran Church located at E. 5th St. & Des
Moines St. For more information, contact Kami Rankin at 515-323-5363 or
kami.rankin@polkcountyiowa.gov