Admin

52,131 views

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
  •    323

 

Past Events

Embrace the Hills 2023

16 Saturday Sep 2023
  • Mondamin, IA
  • Road
  •    5,167

The Water Ride

27 Saturday Aug 2022
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    1,799

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

17 Friday Jun 2022
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,352

The Water Ride

28 Saturday Aug 2021
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,135

Firetrucker Dan's Memorial Ride - Day 1

5 Saturday Jun 2021
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    4,628

Friends of Des Moines Parks Bike Ride

18 Friday Sep 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    2,210

The Water Ride

29 Saturday Aug 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,416

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

16 Saturday May 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    4,001

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

18 Saturday Apr 2020
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Trail Ride
  •    5,655

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

26 Saturday Oct 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    3,945

The Water Ride

24 Saturday Aug 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Party Ride
  •    5,004

MayDay All Bike Swap Meet

4 Saturday May 2019
  • Des Moines, IA
  • Expo/Sales/Swap
  •    9,384

FirstPrevPage 1 of 10NextLast
Feature Features Image

BIKEIOWA Supports IMT Des Moines Marathon for the 21st year

  • bikeiowa
  • Thu October 12 2023
  •   1,045
Feature Features Image

READY. SET. BIKE IOWA! - a Fun Friday Word Search

  • bikeiowa
  • Fri March 24 2023
  •   1,539
Feature Features Image

RAGBRAI L Pass-through towns announced

  • bikeiowa
  • Mon March 13 2023
  •   2,411
Feature Features Image

The Torres Team with RE/MAX Concepts joins as a new BIKEIOWA Sponsor

  • bikeiowa
  • Wed November 9 2022
  •   1,719
Feature Features Image

BIKEIOWA's Course Support Team rides for the Des Moines Marathon

  • bikeiowa
  • Fri October 14 2022
  •   4,524
Feature Features Image

Body In Motion Therapeutic Massage joins as a new BIKEIOWA Sponsor

  • bikeiowa
  • Sun January 31 2021
  •   5,035
Feature Features Image

2020 - BIKEIOWA Year In Review

  • bikeiowa
  • Sun December 20 2020
  •   6,629
Feature Features Image

Small Business Saturday 2020 - SHOP LOCAL

  • bikeiowa
  • Fri November 27 2020
  •   6,528
Feature Features Image

Lake Country Cyclists join as BIKEIOWA Sponsor

  • bikeiowa
  • Wed July 4 2018
  •   14,385

Edit Trail

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

Edit

Latest Bill Riley Trail News

FirstPrevPage 1 of 20NextLast

Browse by City

view cities along this trail

Connecting Trails

Related Sponsors

Support these BIKEIOWA Sponsors!

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


Leave a Comment

You must be signed in to leave a comment.