Polk County Conservation outlines park and stream projects; commission approves agenda and minutes

Polk County Conservation staff presented updates on multiple Pleasant Hill park and stream projects at the commission’s March 12, 2026 regular session.

Adam Fendrick of Polk County Conservation described current and upcoming work across sites. He said the mountain bike park has been open for more than a year and that the next phase — a trailhead in the park’s southwest corner — will begin with trail-head construction. A raised speed table was installed at the Williams Street crossing and a vault restroom stands up the hill from the parking lot. According to the minutes, the contractor "Elder" was awarded the bid; construction was slated to start the week following the meeting with anticipated completion by July 4, 2026. The commission and city staff discussed feasibility of systems to improve flow consistency and navigability in connection with those works.

Fendrick also reported that the Copper Creek section of the Fourmile Creek streambank restoration was completed and that construction access roads will be converted into pedestrian trails. Work on the Fairview Drive and Sleepy Hollow section is scheduled to start this fall with completion next spring; Polk County Conservation described a potential kayak-launch concept tied to that stretch and noted possible ICON site designation and ICON funding for future phases.

Commission discussion noted longer-term ambitions for the area, including a lodge, ski runs and expanded trail connections. Commissioners and staff discussed fundraising goals and a tentative timeline that would aim to start construction after the fair and open the facilities to the public in spring 2028.

The commission also received routine reports from staff. The monthly highlights noted that the Copper Creek Park Trail received the Best Athletic Trail Project award from the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa and that a spring/summer community guide would be available by March 16. Upcoming events listed in the minutes included the Springtime Hill Climb on April 11, a Rain Barrel Workshop on March 25, the Story Walk kickoff on April 14 (in partnership with Drake OT/Library), and a Tree Spree on April 25. The recorded minutes show the next scheduled cemetery cleanup is March 15–31, 2026.

Procedural business: Chairperson Matthew Will called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Commissioners Loren Lown and Matthew Will recorded motions to approve the agenda and the February 12, 2026 minutes; both motions were recorded as passing unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.

Votes at a glance

• Motion to approve agenda — Mover: Loren Lown; Second: Matthew Will; Outcome: approved (Ayes: unanimous of members present). • Motion to approve minutes of Feb. 12, 2026 — Mover: Loren Lown; Second: Matthew Will; Outcome: approved (Ayes: unanimous of members present). • Motion to adjourn — Mover: Loren Lown; Second: Matthew Will; Outcome: approved (Ayes: unanimous of members present).

The minutes list Jennifer Bartles as the recording secretary.