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Type: Nature Trail

Length: 35 miles

Surface: Mix

Concrete and asphalt, depending on where you are


Condition

Above Average

Grade - Flat


Amenities


Description

Eastern arm goes up through Altoona.  The Western arm now extends all the way up to Oralabor Road in Ankeny and connects through local trails over to Neil Smith or the High Trestle Trail.
Trail intersects with the Chichaqua Valley Trail near NE 54th Ave & NE 29th St.

 Recent Des Moines Register Article with maps:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20131029/NEWS/310280138/Gay-Lea-Wilson-Trail-extension-will-be-worth-the-wait?Frontpage


Location - Where is this Trail?

Altoona, Pleasant Hill, Ankeny, Des Moines, Berwick.


Trailheads


Sites & Attractions

History of the Trail

Gay Lea Wilson is a woman who has pushed, and continues to push for recreational trails on the East side of Des Moines.


Future Plans

Planned Mileage: 15 miles - When finished, this trail will stretch 35 miles from Ankeny to Yellow Banks County Park and east to the Chichaqua Valley Trail. It is part of the proposed 110-mile trail loop in central Iowa


Contributors

The following members have contributed to the above Trail content.


This trail was last edited by bramasoleiowa on Apr 26, 2015.

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It looks like the new paved trail between Altoona and Bondurant is unofficially open. Not that Altoona would communicate that to it's citizens :-(

#18 - srvnvly posted Oct 24, 2017


Progress is being made on the extension between Altoona and Bondurant. I saw machines grading off the trail, in Altoona, between 1st ave and 8th ave, just across the railroad tracks. Excited to see progress, unfortunate that Altoona cannot seem to give any updates.

#17 - srvnvly posted Aug 1, 2017


I found this in a Google search this morning, "Bondurant Prepares for the Upcoming Connectivity Project for the Gay Lea Wilson Trail Extension

Starting Monday, September 12, construction traffic will begin along Grant Street, South (from Gateway Park to 5th Street, Southeast), as they start staging equipment in preparation for the Gay Lea Wilson Trail extension. The area effected This may cause delays in your commute, and we are currently working with all parties involved to alleviate potential problems. Please be aware and seek an alternate route if possible. The project is expected to be completed by the beginning of November with work starting on the south end moving north. Traffic control and safety are our upmost concern during this project, and we are doing everything we can to ease the trouble for our residents. We will do our best at keeping you informed and updated as new information arises.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!"

#16 - srvnvly posted Sep 21, 2016


Does anyone know when the connector between Altoona and Bondurant will be started and/ or finished? I can't find anything other than this section has been approved to be built.

#15 - srvnvly posted Aug 12, 2016


In late fall of 2014 the construction on the E. Euclid bridge was complete and the Gay Lea Wilson trail is now open and crossing Euclid and Hubbell Ave. at cross lights is no longer required. Keep in mind this trail does run next to Four Mile Creek so during Heavy Rains and Flash Flooding conditions this trail does close. I ride this trail a lot and do highly recommend it.

#14 - flytech posted Jul 16, 2015


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