prairie trail today.
the story

Many of us have grown up believing that it takes forever for historical charm to develop in neighborhoods. Prepare to alter your thinking. With Prairie Trail, a sense of instant charm is already developing. The planned community is an extension of Uptown Ankeny, which is adjacent on the north side. With historical home styles already popping up, a new/old small-town Iowa community is taking shape.

“The visible signs of progress in Prairie Trail signify a community coming together and realizing its potential,” says Ankeny City Manager Carl Metzger. “A new aquatic center, parks, and green spaces will spur the Ankeny economy and offer new amenities to the Des Moines metropolitan area.”

With parks and trails to experience, welcoming neighborhoods to walk through, and front porches to wave from, Prairie Trail will evoke a gentler time and place.
“There remains a constant stream of people and potential at Prairie Trail,” says Ted Rapp, DRA development coordinator.

In addition, he points out that the business community is taking shape, with the new home office for the Iowa Soybean Association finished up and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Enrichment Center was completed in January, 2010.

“The new Ankeny High School and middle school projects are underway,” he says. “Ankeny’s next aquatic center, Cascade Falls, began construction last spring and is planning a grand opening in June of 2010. Dean Park, centrally located in Precedence Plat 3, is finished and ready for public enjoyment.”

Plaza Shoppes will get underway west of the ground Hy-Vee Food Stores will build on at SW State Street and SW Oralabor Road.

The bottom line, Rapp says, is that there is a tremendous amount of activity at Prairie Trail, with much more to follow.

read more:
history & vision :: time line :: master plan :: new urbanism