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Description

Ankeny is the southern-most city on the High Trestle Trail and includes many bicycle-friendly amenities and accomodations.

About

There's a lot involved in creating and nurturing a community that people are proud to call home. It doesn't happen overnight. But through careful planning, it has happened in Ankeny, Iowa — and progress toward an even better community is ongoing. The city offers numerous opportunities to achieve a fulfilling lifestyle in Central Iowa. Residential areas, both new and well established, are clean, safe and family-friendly. Top-rated schools and secondary educational institutions are educating the workforce of tomorrow. Active civic leaders and city government officials are accessible and responsive to the needs of residents. And, in-turn, engaged residents work with civic leaders to preserve what they value most about the community. Quite simply, Ankeny offers more than 44,000 Iowans the opportunity to have the life they want.

Modern Living

Attractive new residential developments are underway, including Prairie Trail, Iowa's largest "New Urbanist", or master-planned, community. Seamlessly integrated within this pedestrian-friendly development will be residential areas, green space and a town center fit for large or small gatherings.

Education

Ankeny schools are consistently ranked among the best in Iowa. The city has recently renewed its commitment to support and ensure that future needs are met with the necessary funding and facilities. Currently, Ankeny has eight neighborhood elementary schools and two middle schools, with plans underway for a new elementary school and second high school facility. Ankeny is home to Des Moines Area Community College, Iowa's largest community college. Simpson and Upper Iowa University also have a presence in Ankeny.

Employment

Ankeny is committed not only to providing a vibrant community, but also to attracting great jobs. A number of leading technology companies are establishing operations in the city, taking advantage of the community's highly-skilled and educated labor pool and its close proximity to nearby colleges and universities for research support. A brand-new, state-of-the-art Crosswinds Business Park will utilize the green, sustainable practices sought by companies today, while affording a distinct setting for corporate office, flex space, office/warehouse and owner-occupied businesses.

Ankeny. Bringing it all together.

With the support of our residents and community leaders, Ankeny has a Smart development plan in-place to ensure our exciting growth leads to career possibilities and improves upon the many unique characteristics of our city.

We invite you to explore this website to learn more about Ankeny and the countless exciting ways the city is transforming itself today while maintaining the genuine, family-friendly community its citizens cherish. The more you learn, the more you'll agree that Ankeny is bringing it all together.

source: http://www.ankenyiowa.gov/about-ankeny

NO Bicycle Friendly Community designation by the The League of American Bicyclists

Miles of Bicycle Lanes

13


Amenities


Points of Interest

Entertainment

Numerous recreational and cultural amenities help create an enviable quality of life in Ankeny. The annual Ankeny Summerfest draws crowds from all over Central Iowa. Water sports at Saylorville Lake and hiking and biking trails are just minutes away from anywhere in the community. As part of a growing and dynamic metro area, the city is also only a short drive from Des Moines-area destinations such as Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa, and downtown events such as the nationally renowned Des Moines Arts Festival and farmers market. For sports enthusiasts, Ankeny offers easy access to Iowa Cubs baseball and Iowa Energy basketball.

source: http://www.ankenyiowa.gov/about-ankeny


City History

Ankeny was founded by John and Sarah Ankeny in 1875 and was incorporated on February 28, 1903.[6] A railroad link from Des Moines through Ankeny to Ames was completed in 1874 and passenger service established in 1880.[7]

Coal mining became an important activity in the Ankeny area in the early 20th century. The Anderson Coal Company sank a shaft two miles (3 km) southeast of Ankeny in 1908. Enterprise, four miles (6 km) east of Ankeny, was the company town of the Enterprise Coal Company, with two large mines opened in 1903 and 1907.[8] In 1914, the Enterprise Coal Company produced over 100,000 tons of coal, ranking among the top 24 coal producers in the state.[9] In 1912, United Mine Workers Local 2476 in Ankeny had 246 members, over half of the total population at the time, and Local 2511 in Enterprise had 395 members.[10]

Ankeny started off as just one square mile, and just 445 people. Electricity was first introduced in 1907. Ankeny's first fire department was first established in 1907 and was volunteer based. They had only three ladders and 14 water pails when the department started.[11]

During World War II Ankeny was home to a federal ordnance plant that manufactured ammunition. After the war, Deere & Company purchased the plant for its Des Moines Works, while Iowa State University used the remainder of the land for its research farm. In June 2005 ISU sold the land to the city of Ankeny, which plans to develop it into a mixed-use development known as "Prairie Trail."[12]

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankeny,_Iowa


Contributors

The following members have contributed to the above City content.


This city was last edited by bikeiowa on Mar 1, 2015.

Upcoming Events

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