Projects

Trails at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, 5205 Grand Ave., are closed for the Trail Improvement Project. All hard-surface trails will be closed during construction.

The project is anticipated to take 10 weeks. The project includes removing and replacing the 10-foot-wide asphalt trail with a 12-foot-wide concrete path. It also includes replacing the path connections to Edgewater Court, Fletcher Avenue, and Stonebrooke Road. 

To help ensure a safe experience for all users, graphics will be painted on the pavement indicating that walkers and runners use the portion of the path closest to the lake. Wheeled modes of transportation will be directed to use the portion furthest from the lake. Signage will also be installed, and an education campaign will be launched to help users understand the new protocols.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore other area trails during the closure, including Inis Grove Park, Moore Memorial Park, East River Valley Park, Daley Park Greenbelt, and Munn Woods.

The north parking lot, fishing pier, boat ramp, and Upland Trail will remain open and accessible during construction.

The City Council has awarded a contract to TK Construction of Pella, Iowa, to build a new splash pad at Daley Park, 340 Wilder Blvd.

The splash pad will include more than 30 interactive water features, along with outdoor showers, shade structures, and bench seating. The water play equipment will be provided by Commercial Recreation Specialists, based in Verona, Wisconsin.

Construction is scheduled to begin in September, weather permitting, with the splash pad expected to open in June 2026.

Exciting milestones are taking shape at the future Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center. Crews have completed excavation for both the lap pool and the wellness pool, with just one basin left to dig.

The new facility at 115 N. Elm will include:

• A six-lane, 25-yard lap pool
• A zero-depth entry splash pool
• A current channel
• A wellness pool
• A body slide
• Party rooms 
• Multi-purpose rooms
• A walking area

Project costs are estimated at approximately $28 million. The Ames City Council has allocated $18.6 million, and donors have contributed an additional $8.4 million. Story County has also contributed $500,000, and a Community Attraction and Tourism grant of $500,000 was secured.

The Parks and Recreation Maintenance Facility Expansion Project, located at 700 E. 13th St., is designed to consolidate park maintenance staff and equipment into one location to improve efficiency and effectiveness. SVPA Architects of Des Moines, Iowa, was hired to provide design services, bidding assistance and construction administration.

The project includes four main components: renovation of the existing Park Maintenance Building, construction of additional parking, a cold storage building, and relocation of the bulk water station.