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Polk County Conservation outlines Fourmile Creek Greenway restoration, buyouts and trail plans
Summary
Polk County Conservation told the Des Moines City Council it now owns roughly 800 acres in the Fourmile Creek Greenway, has bought out about 300 structures since 1993, installed wetlands and restoration projects, and is pursuing acquisitions and phased road removals to create trail loops and a mountain-bike park due to open spring 2025.
Polk County Conservation staff presented an update on the Fourmile Creek Greenway, describing long-term buyouts, restoration work and next steps for trail connections and neighborhood access. The presenter said the Fourmile Creek watershed "starts up in Slater and runs all the way down through Des Moines and down to the Des Moines River," serves about 80,000 people and encompasses roughly 76,000 acres.
The agency framed the work as a response to repeated flooding, including a major June 30, 2018 event that the presenter called "the highest crest on record, so it's about 17.5 feet." Since 1993, the city and county have used federal, state and local funding to offer buyouts; the presenter said "about 300 plus residential and commercial structures have been bought out since 1993." Polk…
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