Ankeny Eyes Pavilion as Trail Link, New Venue for Farmers' Market

Proposed open-air pavilions in Ankeny could offer a trailhead for two popular central Iowa recreational trails, attracting bikers, runners and other outdoor enthusiasts to town, according to the Des Moines Register.

Several community groups want to build an Ankeny Market and Pavilion that would serve as home to the city’s farmers’ market, an events location and a trailhead.

Two large open-air pavilions are proposed for the project, spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Ankeny, the city of Ankeny, the Ankeny Chamber of Commerce and the Uptown Ankeny Association.

The market and pavilions would be located just south of West First Street, and the area would also serve as a trailhead for the High Trestle Trail with connections to the Gay Lea Wilson and Neal Smith Trail systems, Connie Johnson of the Ankeny Park Board told the newspaper.

“With trail connections both north and south out of the city, we will be a natural hub for riders,” Johnson said.

The goal is to raise $1.5 million for the project -- most from donations, grants and in-kind services. If fundraising goals are met, the project would be completed in 2014.

Ankeny Councilman Wade Steenhoek anticipates only a minimal amount of taxpayer money will be used. The City Council gave $50,000 of hotel/motel tax money to the Ankeny Miracle League field, and Steenhoek expects a similar contribution will be approved for this project, the Register said. More than $200,000 has been pledged to the project.

“I think the community takes tremendous pride in these types of amenities and they’re willing to put their time and money behind it,” Steenhoek told the newspaper.