The Ankeny to Woodward Multi-Use Recreation Trail is a 25 mile long, 10 ft. wide paved trail on an abandoned railroad banked corridor. The trail initially connects the five cities of Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid, and Woodward through the 4 counties of Polk, Story, Boone, and Dallas. A large portion of the trail bed is usable today. Most of the existing granite rock which was the foundation for the railroad tracks has been leveled or removed. Woodward has already begun construction on the trail and has paved 1,000 ft. of it along the City.

Construction of the paved trail will include trailheads, amenities, interpretive sites, and the incorporation of public art. A very unique aspect of this trail is the dedicated 2,300 ft. long bridge that will cross the Des Moines River. (more)

Public trail use is intended for pedestrians, bicyclists, nature enthusiasts, and cross-country skiers. Equestrian riders will be allowed to use the trail between Woodward & Slater. The east/west portion of the trail bed is wider than the north/south portion because 2 sets of railroad tracks ran through that segment of the corridor, thus, the room to accomodate both the hard surface trail and an unpaved trail for equestrians.

The Anticipated total project cost is about $14 million. Several sources of funding are being used to complete the trail. $4.7 million will come from Federal SAFETEA-LU funding. A total of over $1.7 million will come from the Transportation Enhancement Program. And over half a million is being provided by the State Rectreational Trails Fund.

An addition to those state and federal resources, $635,000 has been obtained through Community REAP Grants, and public and private donations amount to almost $800,000 to date. Additional funding of $2.4 million is being requested through the Community Attraction and Tourism Program.

Private donations are still being accepted to complete this project. If you are interested in making a donation or pledge, please fill out the donation form and return in to the address provided at the bottom of the form, or go to www.inhf.org/donatenow.htm and donate directly online, by phone, or by mail through the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

The proposed construction schedule is:

• 2008 - Trail paving continues
• 2009 - Des Moines River Bridge construction and rail paving continues
• 2010 - Project constuction completed