Johnston honors parks worker and hears resident pleas to fix dangerous bike-trail spots

The Johnston City Council on Tuesday recognized parks employee Clayton Borman for coming to the aid of a crash victim and signed a proclamation declaring July National Park and Recreation Month.

Mayor Suresh read a letter from the crash victim, city employee Maddie Schwers, saying, "Clayton was by my side within seconds, calmingly reassuring me and calling 911," and presenting Borman with a certificate for his quick response.

The recognition was followed by a public comment from resident Andy Lyons of North Glen, who urged the council to address multiple trail safety hazards. Lyons described sight-line problems where the trail meets a Casey's driveway, obstructions from a fence and nearby utility equipment, and overgrown brush near Schleiz Park that he said “makes the trail an accident waiting to happen.”

Council members and staff answered that the East Side trail completion is delayed while Des Moines Water Works addresses leaks in its pipe, and that tearing out a newly placed trail would be impractical until repairs pass pressure tests. City staff also said pedestrian-activated crossing lights — rapid-flashing beacons — are included in this year’s budget for the Johnston Drive crossing to improve trail-user safety.

Jeff of the parks department, who provided the proclamation, and other staff emphasized routine upkeep and cited recent successful park operations around the Fourth of July. The council did not take immediate legislative action on Lyons’ requests; staff said they will review the specific locations and consider short-term signage and longer-term engineering solutions if feasible.

The council then took photos with the honoree and moved on to the rest of the evening’s business.