Dec 23, 2021: View of a Past December

A 2015 view looking west-southwest over Jensen Pond before the Farmstead was demolished to make way for the Hayden's Crossing development. (Kevin Kane, 12/12/15)

Jan 24, 2019: Four Years Past

A couple things to notice from this photo of the northern hills from January 26th, 2015 - no snow and two farmsteads.  Yes, this was the view before the new northern development started! (Wolf Oesterreich, 1/26/15)

April 7, 2017: The Downside of Development

This NE view shows soil flowing from a recent excavation across and onto the Upland Trail.  The erosion-control netting isn't doing its job.  At a recent program I presented to the Outdoor Alliance of Story County I was asked if there would be any impacts to the Park.  This is one.  Last year, when the spur into Hayden's Crossing was installed, a wider swath of vegetation was removed than necessary.  Then nothing was done to the bare soil, so it washed down upon the Upland Trail.  Another impact.  Besides the loss of solitude, construction trash continues to blow into the Park, with no crews from the developers to clean it up.  We must continue to work as neighbors to educate and inform developers and new homeowners on the affects of the development on the park! (Wolf. Oesterreich, 3/30/17)

Dec 13, 2016: A Vintage View

A familiar view of waterfowl returning to the lakes in early winter, but taken two years ago before the Jensen Farm was torn down. (Kevin Kane, 12/9/14)

Dec 5, 2016: Northern Hills

A northward view from the lakes trail, just east of the bluff spur.  Note all the new houses. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 12/5/16)

Nov 20, 2016: Northslope

An eastward view along the north slope, as viewed from the NW corner of the Upland Trail.  More of the new houses are now visible. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/20/16)

Nov 18, 2016: South Lake

A NW view across the south lake, from the spillway and towards the bluff area. (Wolf. Oesterreich, 11/10/16)

 

Ed. K.Kane - as the trees lose their leaves the presence of the new housing to the north is more and more noticeable.

Sept 11, 2016: Corner Post

This fence post marks the property line between the park and the new Hayden's Crossing development on the northwest corner of the park.  Two horse-shoe nails point in the direction of the boundary. (Kevin Kane, 9/17/16)

August 23, 2016: A Letter to Friends of AHHP

The new path connecting the northern development with AHHP in the far northwest area of the park along the upland trail. 8/13/16 (Kevin Kane)

I write with a couple questions regarding the recent changes in AH along the upland trail.

I was away for several weeks and only yesterday noticed the new paved lane connecting the upland trail near the Circle with the development at Hayden's Crossing. The new paved lane extends south from private land to the park's existing dirt trail.

(There has been) great concern about the potential erosion at the site and the impact rainwater would have on the trail. It was also not clear ... if the park's dirt trail was going to be paved and if so, concern was expressed that if that were to happen, the consequent increase in speed biking would  negatively affect hikers, people with disabilities, and leisure bikers and walkers.

(We) looked at the paved path and how it merges with the existing trail and agreed ... that it did not look very good with regard to potential run-off and erosion. Even though a completely paved upland trail would be welcomed by many, the change would be substantial and completely change the current feeling of being in a truly natural setting.

Thanks so much for all you do.
-----
Response from Keith Abraham, Dir. of Parks and Recreation
City of Ames

Thank you for passing on your concerns and comments!
In response to your comments and questions:

We do not have any intention of paving the Upland Trail. There are many walkers, hikers, runners, etc. who have expressed their desire to keep this trail as is. In conversation with the developers of Hayden's Crossing, and Quarry Estates, any trail connection within the park is to have the new material match the existing material. Joshua and I visited the site today and are sure they used asphalt millings which is what the Upland Trail is made of. The difference is these new millings appear to be smaller and have been compressed which makes the trail look like it has been paved. At the start of the path in Hayden's Crossing, the millings are 8+ inches thick yet they are very thin on the Upland Trail. As people use this section of the trail, the millings will get broken up and blend in with the current material. I was able to break up the millings on the trail fairly easily.

As for the erosion issues. It does appear there are erosion issues currently and this is causing sediment to deposit on the trail. We will be contacting Hunziker to get the sides of the path back filled, graded, and seeded to prevent further erosion.

The weeds in the middle of the path were sprayed as mowing and foot traffic wasn't controlling them very well.

I also want to echo Erv's comments regarding the Friends Group and the City working closely together in the best interest of the park. Erv and Jim Pease developed a management plan for Ada Hayden and has been a wonderful resource for us. We refer to it often as we determine what is needed at the park. We have had requests for multiple things (i.e. playgrounds, athletic fields, etc.) to be placed at Ada Hayden and continue to say no as that is not the intent of this park. We agree it will be an increasing challenge to keep it this way as more and more homes are developed and demands continue to come forth. Currently, City Council is very cognizant of the importance of Ada Hayden and the water shed area. This was evident listening to Council Member comments recently regarding the proposed Rose Prairie development in which Council did not approve the developer's request to build 700+ homes. We need to continue to work together to make sure Ada Hayden stays as it was intended.

If you have any further questions, please contact me. Have a great day!

June 21, 2016: Big Sky on Upland Trail

Looking due west from Jensen Pond. 6/4/16 (Kevin Kane)

June 7, 2016: Upland View

A view from the ridgeline on the northwest hills where some of the new homes are being built. 6/4/16 (Kevin Kane)

May 18, 2016: Northern Hills Development

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Joni Mitchell - Big Yellow Taxi 

Photo 5/19/16 (Kevin Kane)

March 28, 2016: New Water Line to the Park

The construction of the new waterline from the north development down to the main shelter began today.  This shot shows the trenching down the north slope.  The water line was laid down in this trench. 3/28/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Feb 22, 2016: North Development Overlook

View from the new development north of the park. 2/20/16 (Kevin Kane)

Feb 5, 2016: Northern Hills

A northward view from the lakes trail, just east of the bluff spur.  (Taken before the late afternoon snowfall.) 2/5/16 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

This is a view to watch over the coming spring and summer months as it will be changing drastically with the addition of new homes in the development just north of the park.

Dec 12, 2012: View from North Development

From top of northern hills looking southeast over the lakes. 12/12/15 (Kevin Kane)

Nov 16, 2015: Northern Hills

A northward view from the lakes trail, just east of the bluff spur.  (In the near future there will be houses lining the north slope.) 11/5/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

Nov 11, 2015: Jensen Pond

Now that the leaves are off the trees, this is one of the last monthly photos from this spot that we'll see without the new residential development behind Jensen Pond to the north.  10/30/15 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

If you've never been to the pond, now is the time to visit and enjoy the peace and solitude of the place because it is about to change drastically.

Oct 25, 2015: Quarry Estates Development Information

More information about the Friedrich Quarry Estates development directly north of the park where the Jensen Farm was demolished (from http://friedrichlanddevelopment.com/quarry-estates/) via their website.

Oct 24, 2015: Vanished View - Two Years Ago Today

Oct 24, 2013: Jensen Farm 

(The Jensen Farm has since been demolished to make way for the Quarry Estates subdivision north of the park) 

A NE view across the prairie (north wetland complex) towards the old Jensen farmstead. 10/24/13 (Wolf. Oesterreich)