February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 51

The Des Moines Trail System: Assessment,
Analysis and Validation
By Derek Hansen
D
The
es Moines, Iowa, is home to an extensive 70-mile network of multiuse
trails, one of the city's most popular attractions. The parks and
recreation department recorded 3.2 million uses in 2024 by trail
users, including bicyclists, runners, walkers and others who rely on
the city's trail system for recreation and alternative transportation.
Popularity and
Growing Pains
In 2014, Des Moines experienced a
trail development boom, adding a
significant number of new miles to
the already popular system in what
became known as the " trail explosion. "
While the number of trail
miles increased, the staffing necessary
to keep up with maintenance
demands did not grow at the same
pace.
department
employs
only one full-time and one seasonal
employee to maintain the 70-mile
trail network.
Daily and seasonal maintenance
as snow removal,
tasks - such
mowing, tree trimming and trash
removal - consume most of the
operators' hours. This leaves little time
to address other pressing issues, such
as surface repairs, erosion mitigation
or crack sealing - problems that often
compound and worsen over time. The
trail system has become burdened by
deferred maintenance and growing
capital needs. These issues range from
potential hazards and safety concerns
to non-compliance with regulatory
standards. Over time, the number
and severity of identified issues has
increased, creating a significant
challenge for the department as it tries
to balance the popularity and growth
of the trail system with its limited
resources.
Inventory and Analysis
In 2019, city park planners faced
the daunting task of organizing
and documenting trail issues resulting
from deferred maintenance.
The planners developed a Geographic
Information System (GIS)
inventory collection system. They
collaborated with the city's GIS
team to create a schema for Field
Maps, an Esri product, to serve as a
point-audit collection system. This
system records each issue, capturing
its geographical location, detailed
information and photos.
Using this mobile GIS collection
methodology, the planners conduct
an annual trail audit by traversing
the entire trail system, noting issues;
documenting surface cracks; identifying
safety concerns, like hazard
trees; and addressing noncompliant
items, such as improperly placed
signs or obstructions. The GIS team
also supports post-audit trail analysis
with an interactive web GIS map,
which facilitates viewing, analysis,
coordination and data sharing.
Refining and Advancing
In 2023, the findings of the deferred
trail maintenance inventory
and analysis
provided justification
for a $3.9 million increase in
trail-dedicated funding throughout
10 years to support operations and
The Trestle to Trestle
Trail is a popular
segment of the
largest trail network
in City of Des Moines,
Iowa, heading north
and south along the
Des Moines River.
capital repairs. The newly allocated
funding already has been put to
work, addressing documented system
needs, supported by the data,
analysis and visuals.
The trail system data also guides
strategic decision making and prioritization
of capital improvements,
ensuring efforts are focused on areas
with the highest number of issues.
These targeted improvements have
been well-received by trail users.
Precise location-based data for trail
issues is shared across departmental
boundaries to enhance efficiency and
improve service delivery. The parks
and recreation department collaborates
with the public works forestry
division by providing data on trees
along trail corridors that require assessment,
removal or maintenance,
saving time and creating efficiencies.
Other agencies can achieve similar
results with modified systems for dynamic
mapping and point-audit collections.
See you on the trails!
Derek Hansen is Park Planner for City of
Des Moines, Iowa (DWHansen@dmgov.org).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 2 5 | Parks & Recreation
51
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF DES MOINES, IOWA

February 2025 – Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025 – Parks & Recreation

February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Intro
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover1
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover2
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 1
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 2
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 3
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 4
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 5
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 6
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 7
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 8
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 9
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 10
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 11
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 12
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 13
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 14
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 15
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 16
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 17
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 18
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 19
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 20
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 21
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 22
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 23
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 24
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 25
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 26
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 27
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 28
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 29
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 30
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 31
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 32
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 33
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 34
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 35
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 36
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 37
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 38
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 39
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 40
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 41
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 42
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 43
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 44
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 45
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 46
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 47
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 48
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 49
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 50
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 51
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 52
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 53
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 54
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 55
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - 56
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover3
February 2025 – Parks & Recreation - Cover4
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2025
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2025
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2024
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2023
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2022
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2021
https://ezine.nrpa.org/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2021
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