Our Goal

The Past

We, as many other surrounding towns, fully understand how adding a recreational trails takes much more planning than simply putting down some cement or asphalt.  From conversations with land owners to planning for integrating trails through existing neighborhoods and into new home development areas, the task is not small.  We also know many or all of locations northwest of Des Moines have a plan for their area’s recreational trails and/or already have projects in progress.  Community funding initiatives and grants rewards are key components in getting the appropriate backing to make the trails a reality.

In 2012, the City of Granger had a comprehensive plan drawn for the community in which gives some insight into the expansion of the City of Granger in relation to nearby locations.  Some high-level trails comments were mentioned within this plan and its drawings.  View the plan here. (Don’t mind the DRAFT version note on the first page)

On July 15th, 2015, the Granger Trails Advisory Committee held a meeting with the city officials of nearby cities.  County representatives for both Dallas County and Polk County also attended the meeting.  The overall feedback is that we are all genuinely interested in bringing trails to the area northwest of Des Moines.  In summary, factors such as current plans within other cities, cost of trail development and the amount of time and resources to commit to a comprehensive plan for NW of Des Moines are the biggest roadblocks to our Granger moving forward right now.

The Future

Before we go any further into applying for grants continuing talks with nearby towns, we absolutely need to get a measure on the amount of recreational trails interest within the Granger community. 

Please take our survey here.

The people of Granger are in a great position to kick-start the city’s future.  Vince Lombardi once said, “The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual involved”.   The High Trestle Trail was not a small task; it took great planning and collaboration.  Our small committee is eager to collaborate with all communities surrounding the City of Granger.  As relationships grow, the goal is to build a comprehensive plan including maps and public feedback regarding recreational trail linkages between the City of Granger’s closest Des Moines metro communities such as Grimes, Johnston, Dallas Center, Minburn, Woodward, Perry, High Trestle Trail, Madrid and Jester Park. In result of a solid comprehensive plan, it is our hope to see large funding opportunities (via grants, donations, etc…) arise in order to meet the goals stated in a broader comprehensive trails plan for this section of Iowa.

If you have any interest in helping with this effort, please contact us today.