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The Ankeny to Woodward Recreation Trail, once completed, will be a 25-mile long, 10 ft. wide paved trail along a former rail bed. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation assisted with the initial acquisition and railbanking of the line from the Union Pacific Railroad. The corridor is now publicly owned by each of the jurisdictions along the trail including the communities of Ankeny, Sheldahl, Slater, Madrid and Woodward and the counties of Polk, Story, Boone and Dallas.

Most of the trail bed is currently covered in the granite rock that made up the foundation for the railroad tracks. The iron rails and ties have been removed to allow access along the trail. The corridor is open to the public for non-motorized use.

In 2006, the city of Woodward paved a 1000-foot section just northwest of the grain elevator.

In 2007, trail construction was completed on the "bookends" of the trail. Approximately 1.3 miles of trail was paved in Woodward, and 1.5 miles was paved in Ankeny.

During the upcoming 2008 construction season, another 19 miles of trail is planned for construction. This construction would complete the trail from Ankeny through Madrid.