Resident asks Waukee council to buy land to connect neighborhood trail near Maple Grove

Cole Bizgard, a Waukee resident, asked the council to consider purchasing a parcel to connect two sections of trail near Maple Grove Villas so neighborhood residents could access the city's larger park trail network.

"Our request is for the board to consider, like, also consider purchasing some land and connecting 2 sections of trail there specifically," Bizgard said, identifying his residence at 2415 Southeast River Birch Lane and noting the Maple Grove Villas neighborhood lies just south of Maple Grove. He said the connection would align with the city's 2022 strategic plan and would provide direct access for neighborhood residents to park trails and nearby amenities.

Bizgard also said the proposed connection would benefit his brother-in-law, who is intellectually disabled and relies on walking for exercise and access to nearby amenities.

Mayor Clark responded that the council would discuss the request and that staff would follow up with Bizgard; no formal motion or referral was recorded. The item was presented during the meeting's open forum and no additional public comments or written materials were recorded in the transcript.

Because the council did not take formal action, no changes to property ownership, budgets or plans were made at the meeting. Bizgard said the property that could enable the connection is owned by AP North and borders the area where the trail link would be built, according to his remarks.