A beloved shared-use trail in Ames may be completely closed for five to six weeks this fall while it undergoes a $1 million makeover.
The Ames Parks and Recreation department is planning to replace Ada Hayden Heritage Park’s 10-foot-wide asphalt trail with an expanded 12-foot-wide concrete path. The concrete surface will reduce the trail’s long-term maintenance, and a wider trail will provide more space for users.
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In a special meeting on Tuesday, April 15, the Ames City Council agreed to close the trail completely during construction. The trail makeover is estimated to cost about $1.2 million, leaving about $111,400 of a surplus.
The ‘Upland Trail’ will not be paved and will remain mostly open throughout the project, Parks and Recreation Keith Abraham said.
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A runner enjoys the warm weather at Ada Hayden Park on Tuesday, Feb. 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
Concrete path will have more longevity
The current asphalt trail has issues with cracking, edges breaking off and tree roots growing through the path. Its width is also not meeting the needs of users.
Concrete is more durable than asphalt as it is a harder material, and it’s estimated to last over 30 years.
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Concrete is also a more cost-effective option: Because of its longevity, the long-term maintenance costs will be reduced. The overlays needed on the current asphalt path have cost over $50,000, which will be necessary with concrete.
City staff said they understand concrete is not the best surface for runners, but feel it is the best surface for a majority of users.
Emma Dudgeon enjoys the warm weather by walking with her dogs, Too and Scout, at Ada Hayden Park on Tuesday, Feb. 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
Complete trail closure will save money and take less time
The city council has set aside $1.4 million to replace and widen Ada Hayden’s trail
The base bid will include the loop around both lakes and the trail section from the Harrison Parking Lot to the main trail.
The repaving of the Edgewater Court, Fletcher, and Stone Brooke connectors will be bid as an alternate.
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Closing the entire trail was estimated to be the most cost-effective option with a base bid of $1.1 million. The project can also be completed in five to six weeks, whereas phased construction could take up to nine weeks, according to city staff.
Even though the entire trail will close at the start of construction, city staff will speak with the yet-to-be-named contractor about possibly opening a section of the trail before the project is complete.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: When and for how long is the Ada Hayden trail closing in Ames?