Gay Lea Wilson Trail

03/25/2026

FR:DSMParks
Detour Alert: Neal Smith Trail will be rerouted onto Birdland Ave from 6th Ave to Saylor Road beginning 3/26 due to park improvement work in area.

03/17/2026

Polk County Conservation advised they spoke to the DOT and they advised that the trail was closed for them to start work on the Eastbound I-80 bridge. DOT did not give any dates as to when it would reopen, but said the trail would be closed for the entire duration of the work to redeck and widen the bridge. They will keep pushing them on a date for when they plan to reopen it.

02/11/2026

Does anyone have some good winter pics of the GLW Trail?

08/28/2025

JUST IN! Polk County Conservation updates to the GLW Trail and the CVT.
Unfortunately, I have another delay to report to you. The DOT provided us with an update this morning. The Gay Lea Wilson and Chichaqua Valley Trails sections near I-80 are now slated to open mid-October.

I’ve updated the web pages for each trail, as well as a web page we have started that is a catalogue of all lengthy closures.

https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/gay-lea-wilson-trail/
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/chichaqua-valley-trail/
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/news-and-announcements/current-closures-construction-updates/

Here is a general overview of what DOT shared with us:

The delay is due to weather and several unforeseen issues in construction. For Gay Lea Wilson Trail, the contractor will be starting construction of the retaining wall and trail reconstruction near Fourmile Creek mid-to-late-September with opening predicted mid-October. For Chichaqua Valley Trail, the contractor plans to pour the bridge deck over NE 29th Street around October 1st. Afterwards there will likely be a couple weeks of cleanup underneath the bridge, with that trail probably opening mid-October.

Thanks for helping share this info with your network of trail users! Fingers crossed this is the last construction delay.

08/09/2025

https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/trails-end-wildlife-area/

A work in progress, Trails End Wildlife Area will provide miles of multi-use trails for walkers, runners, bird watchers, and others looking for respite in the natural world. It also will allow for incredible wildlife-watching opportunities.

08/09/2025

Gay Lea Wilson Trail closed through mid-August (as of 7/2/25).

This trail closed on October 31, 2024 at Interstate 80. The expected opening date has been pushed back to mid-August. The delay is due to weather and several unforeseen issues in construction. Public notification signs are posted along the trail on the north and south sides of the interstate. See a map of the closure and suggested detour info here.

The Iowa DOT provided an update to Polk County Conservation in early July. DOT staff indicate that the trail closure is being extended due to unexpected delays in construction work for the east mix-master of I-80/I-35.

See Polk County Conservation

07/31/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ci9VmXftY/

🚧 𝗖𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 🚧
This is a reminder that Copper Creek Lake Park will be closed for trail improvements beginning after July 28. The improvements will include:
✅ Crack repairs
✅ HMA overlay on the existing 1.2 mile trail loop
✅ Light fixture replacement (already complete)
These improvements also include the section of the Gay Lea Wilson Trail along University Ave. to Copper Creek Dr.
⚠️ 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱).
🔗 Follow the link in the comments for project updates and reopening information.
Thank you for your patience as we make our park safer for all!

07/31/2025

https://kcci.com/article/flood-warning-des-moines-raccoon-rivers-polk-county/65554144

The National Weather Service in Des Moines issued a flood warning Wednesday for multiple parts of the metro.

07/21/2025

FR:DSMParks
The Neal Smith Trail from 6th Ave to Birdland Marina is now closed due to elevated river levels.
The Gay Lea Wilson Trail has reopened.

07/09/2025

🚧 TRAIL CLOSURE ALERT + SAFETY REMINDERS 🚧

Recent storms and rising water levels have caused a few temporary trail closures in our system. Please use caution and plan accordingly:

🌊 Neal Smith Trail is closed from 6th Ave to the Marina due to flooding.
🌳 Trestle to Trestle Trail is closed between Inner Urban and Euclid Ave due to a large downed tree (see photo).
🚫 Gay Lea Wilson Trail is closed from Sargent Park to south of Hubbell Ave due to high water.

⚠️ Safety Reminders
– Never ride or walk under fallen trees.
– Stay away from floodwaters.
– Look up for “hangers” – loose limbs, branches, and debris can fall without warning.
– Always check DSM.city/trails for the latest interactive closure map and updates.

🛠️ A reminder that Meredith Trail remains closed just north of the Fifth Street Bridge through early August for MidAmerican Energy work to replace power poles. A signed detour is available.

Stay safe, and thanks for your patience as we clean up and reopen these areas as soon as it’s safe to do so. 🌳💧

With 63 miles of paved and 18 miles of soft trails in Des Moines; bikers, runners, dog walkers and skateboarders all have an easy way to get out and enjoy our city.

07/02/2025

TRAIL CLOSURE (at I-80) UPDATE:
(I received the following from Polk County Conservation this morning:

I am sad to say that we received disappointing news from the Iowa DOT late yesterday.

Both the Gay Lea Wilson Trail and the Chichaqua Valley Trail section closures near I-80 are being extended. Here is what I posted to the website just this morning: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/gay-lea-wilson-trail/ (full copy pasted below).

Also, I have a social media post scheduled to go out on Facebook and Instagram this afternoon around 2 pm. You of course are welcome to re-post and share that when it goes out.

I know this is frustrating for you and the trail users. We are staying on top of the DOT and nudging them along as best we can. I will make sure the public knows as soon as the trail section reopens. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, as always, for your ongoing support of Polk County Conservation and the recreating public!

Jessica

Trail Closure Notice: Updated 7/2/25
The Iowa DOT provided an update to Polk County Conservation on July 1st. Staff there indicate that the trail closures are being extended due to unexpected delays in construction work for the east mix-master of I-80/I-35.
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The Chichaqua Valley Trail closed on October 24 at Interstate 80. The expected opening date is now undetermined. Iowa DOT indicates there is a soil issue that needs to be remediated before construction can proceed and a firm timeline established. Public notification signs are posted along the trail on the north and south sides of the interstate.
The Gay Lea Wilson Trail closed on October 31 at Interstate 80. The expected opening date has been pushed back to mid-August. The delay is due to weather and several unforeseen issues in construction. Public notification signs are posted along the trail on the north and south sides of the interstate.

Detour option: Trail users can attempt to take a detour, traveling along NE 29th St. to reconnect with the trails north or south of the interstate. As with all routes of travel on bike or foot, you should scout this detour prior to recreating, to determine if it meets your level of comfort for safety in avoiding car traffic.

Travel north/south between Des Moines to Pleasant Hill and Ankeny on the Gay Lea Wilson Trail West (7.5 miles) or take the spur in Pleasant Hill for the Gay Lea Wilson Trail east to Altoona (5.9 miles). This trail connects to the Chichaqua Valley Trail in Berwick and continues through Ankeny, connec...