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Type: Urban Trail

Length: 2 miles

Surface: Paved


Condition

Average

Grade - Gentle Grades


Amenities


Description

  The trail connects Gray's Lake trails, the Great Western Trail, and Walnut Creek Trail Segment 3 through Water Works Park.  Although short by itself, it is an important trail in allowing cyclists to quickly travel east-west.


  The trail utilizes an old wooden bridge near the trailhead to cross the Raccoon River and is rough.  Along the trail are horse paths in Water Works Park and horse farms just outside, so be aware that equestrians may be present and crossing the trail. 

  There is a railroad underpass that runs along the river.  It is a blind, tight downhill curve so be prepared to brake (as of this update, closed due to erosion control construction).

  As the trail follows the river, it is prone to flooding during high water years, especially at the railroad underpass.  The city is generally responsive in removing silt after flooding.


Location - Where is this Trail?

South Des Moines, Water Works Park to Greenwood-Ashworth Park


Trailheads

Greenwood-Ashworth Park, by Ashworth swimming pool

Water Works Park, inside, off of George Flagg Parkway by SW 30th Street


Sites & Attractions

History of the Trail

In 1972, two hundred fifty bicyclists raised money for this 1.7-mile section of asphalt trail near Greenwood Ashworth Park in Des Moines.  It is one of the oldest bike trails in Des Moines. 

The trail is named for Bill Riley, a local radio personality and parks board member.


Future Plans

Planned Mileage: 0 miles -


Contributors

The following members have contributed to the above Trail content.


This trail was last edited by War on Jul 9, 2021.

Upcoming Events

FORE! Our Parks Golf Outing and Bike Ride

14 Friday Jun 2024
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
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Past Events

Embrace the Hills 2023

16 Saturday Sep 2023
  • Mondamin, IA
  • Road
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The Water Ride

27 Saturday Aug 2022
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    1,823

FORE! Our Parks - Bike Ride (and golf) - Friends of Des Moines Parks

17 Friday Jun 2022
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,378

The Water Ride

28 Saturday Aug 2021
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,158

Firetrucker Dan's Memorial Ride - Day 1

5 Saturday Jun 2021
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    4,646

Friends of Des Moines Parks Bike Ride

18 Friday Sep 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    2,231

The Water Ride

29 Saturday Aug 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,436

Firetrucker Dan's Memorial Bridges Ride - Day 1 **POSTPONED **

16 Saturday May 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    4,019

****CANCELED**** 2020 Mayor's Annual Ride and Run for Trails

18 Saturday Apr 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    5,683

Drunk Brian's Birthday Bash Bicycle Ride (D.B.B.B.B.R.)

26 Saturday Oct 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,963

The Water Ride

24 Saturday Aug 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    5,018

MayDay All Bike Swap Meet

4 Saturday May 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Expo/Sales/Swap
  •    9,431

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Ferinheit Wood Oven Pizza joins as a BIKEIOWA Sponsor

  • bikeiowa
  • Fri April 8 2016
  •   24,977
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Des Moines' Bicycle Friendly Community Feedback Report

  • bikeiowa
  • Sun July 12 2015
  •   478,924
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Is Des Moines ready for a Bicycle-Friendly designation upgrade?

  • bikeiowa
  • Tue March 31 2015
  •   19,528
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Urban Assault Ride Registration is OPEN

  • bikeiowa
  • Tue February 10 2015
  •   14,751
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Our Iowa Bike Expo Video

  • bikeiowa
  • Mon February 2 2015
  •   40,698
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Trail Recommendations

  • BikeIowa
  • Tue August 27 2013
  •   17,684
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2013 Fat Tire Fun Rides

  • ss
  • Thu March 7 2013
  •   19,991
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Polk County’s Water and Land Legacy Bond

  • ss
  • Thu October 18 2012
  •   56,116
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2012 Fat Tire Fun Rides

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  • Mon March 5 2012
  •   14,387

Edit Trail

Members of the BIKEIOWA Community can update Trail information. We figure that YOU may know more about the Trail than WE do.

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Iowa By Trail

trail is open and cleaned up!!

#4 - dgk2009 posted Jun 30, 2013


all the water is down,public works just needs to clean it up,hope soon,surely they people are itching to ride it.

#3 - dgk2009 posted Jun 21, 2013


Was still extremely muddy as of last night. The area near the railroad bridge is still not in riding condition.

#2 - grandpadave posted Jun 20, 2013



Can anyone prpvide a status update on the closure of this trail? Wanting to ride it this weekend. thanks!

#1 - knettlet posted Jun 20, 2013


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