Marathon Trail Plan Advances; NWS Updates Iowa Tornado Survey

Two developments are drawing attention across the Des Moines metro this week — one focused on future recreation, the other on recent severe weather.

Marathon Loop Trail Proposed in West Des Moines

West Des Moines city staff are moving forward with an ambitious plan to create a 26.2-mile loop trail connecting parks and existing pathways across the city.

The proposal includes roughly $5 million in parks and recreation funding requests in the upcoming fiscal budget. Projects range from new trail connectors near Raccoon River Park to a potential link between the Athene Pedestrian Bridge and the Great Western Trail.

City officials say about 14 miles of the loop are already complete, with additional segments planned over the next couple of years. Some portions — especially on the south side — would require land acquisition and bridge construction before the full loop becomes reality.

If approved, the project would give runners and cyclists a continuous route the length of a marathon, while improving connectivity between neighborhoods and green spaces.

NWS Releases Updated Tornado Survey

The National Weather Service has issued updated findings from the March 10–12 tornado outbreak that affected parts of Iowa and the Midwest.

In southeast Iowa, confirmed EF1 tornadoes in Lee County caused structural damage to farm buildings, snapped trees and destroyed outbuildings. The updated survey, released March 24, refines path lengths and impact details following additional field analysis.

While central Iowa avoided the worst of that outbreak, emergency managers say the updated report is a reminder that severe weather season is arriving earlier than many residents expect.

With spring now underway, local officials continue urging residents to review safety plans and stay weather-aware.

Sources

https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/23/west-des-moines-builds-marathon-loop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornado_outbreak_of_March_10%E2%80%9312%2C_2026