1.4 Miles of Great Western Trail to Be Rehabilitated

State grant to fund improvements to two sections of the 19-mile trail in Warren and Polk Counties, Iowa

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Great Western Trail, which follows the former Great Western Railroad between Martensdale and Des Moines, Iowa, will see 1.4 miles of rehabilitation work thanks to a State Recreational Trails Grant awarded to the Warren County Conservation Board. The grant will cover $543,200 of the estimated $826,000 project cost, with the remaining $282,800 coming from local matching funds.

Why it matters

The Great Western Trail is a popular recreational trail that connects to trails in Water Works Park in Des Moines. The rehabilitation project will improve the trail's condition and accessibility for hikers, bikers, and other users in the area.

The details

The rehabilitation work will focus on two sections of the trail that are in the greatest need of repair: from the trailhead at Iowa Ave. to 30th Ave. in Martensdale, and from Main Street to Hamilton Street in Churchville. State Recreational Trails grants are awarded through a competitive program managed by the Iowa Department of Transportation and require at least 25% of the grant value to be matched locally.

  • The Great Western Trail follows the former Great Western Railroad for 19 miles between Martensdale and Des Moines.
  • The rehabilitation project is estimated to cost $826,000 and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The players

Warren County Conservation Board

The organization that was awarded the State Recreational Trails Grant to fund the rehabilitation of the Great Western Trail.

Polk County Board of Conservation

The organization that jointly manages the Great Western Trail with the Warren County Conservation Board.

Iowa Department of Transportation

The state agency that manages the competitive State Recreational Trails Grant program that is funding the majority of the Great Western Trail rehabilitation project.

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What’s next

The rehabilitation project is expected to be completed in 2026, improving the condition and accessibility of the 19-mile Great Western Trail for hikers, bikers, and other users.

The takeaway

The Great Western Trail rehabilitation project demonstrates the importance of state and local partnerships in maintaining and improving public recreational infrastructure, ensuring that these valuable community assets remain accessible and enjoyable for years to come.