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.