Ankeny Prairie Trail
In 2005, the City of Ankeny purchased 1,000 acres of land in the middle of the city. The city has ambitious intentions for this area and is currently in the process of developing Prairie Trail, a master-planned community that will blend elements of shopping, dining, entertainment, business, education and residential living.
Prairie Trail will be primarily composed of residential districts featuring single-family homes, brownstones, townhouses, apartments above downtown businesses, and senior housing units. However, there will be a multitude of nearby amenities available for residents of Prairie Trail and other Ankeny citizens. DRA Properties, the developer, is very interested in creating an abundance of “third” places. The first and second most important places to a person are home and work, but third places are areas where residents can connect with the community.
These community connections will pepper the entirety of Prairie Trail including a new school, headquarters for the Future Farmers of America, a new police station, a library and a transit station. The entire community also will be accentuated with parks and nature trails. Perhaps the most important community area will be the Town Center which will contain numerous shops and restaurants designed to appeal to the nightlife of the ever-increasing young adult population of Ankeny.
The center also will hold the Town Square, featuring an outdoor amphitheater and pavilion.
The development also is doing much to appeal to its neighbors, John Deere to the northwest and Des Moines Area Community College to the southeast. A 30-acre business park will be constructed south of the John Deere facility which will be perfect for businesses connected to the farm equipment giant. DMACC will use some of the land north of them to build a new classroom building and several housing complexes for its growing student population.
Prairie Trail is an extension of Ankeny’s continued commitment to providing all of its residents with a balanced quality of life and a connected, involved community.
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