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The City of Ankeny invites the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Northwestern Trailhead, a new addition to the High Trestle Trail in Ankeny. Join us on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, at 4 p.m. to celebrate the opening of this new community amenity located at 2125 NW Irvinedale Drive.

The new trailhead serves as a gateway into Ankeny welcoming trail users with a range of amenities to enhance the trail experience. Highlights include Drop In, an interactive public artwork by artist Matthew Mazzotta. Drop in provides the pleasant experience of dropping by to visit a friend. The porch swings and gramophone allow visitors to take a rest while listening to their favorite music as the clouds roll by. It's an opportunity to connect with friends or make new ones in a home away from home.

In addition to the art installation, the trailhead offers amenities including a restroom, a hydration station, a bike repair station, picnic tables, a shelter and a parking lot.

“This exciting project supports not just bicyclists, but all trail users, as well as the broader community by providing essential amenities and a unique and fun place to gather. None of this would have been possible without the support of the City Council and Bravo Greater Des Moines,” said Derek Lord, Ankeny’s Economic Development Director.

The Northwestern Trailhead is named after the historic Chicago Northwestern Railroad which formerly operated as a passenger rail line on this trail in the late 1800s, connecting Ankeny to Des Moines and Ames.  

Ankeny is home to more than 100 miles of trails including the High Trestle Trail, Gay Lea Wilson Trail and the Oralabor Gateway Trail.