HomeMy WebLinkAboutA027 - April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Ames City CouncilITEM #:31
DATE:04-28-26
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:REQUEST TO WAIVE ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITION OF MOTORIZED
VEHICLES IN ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Each September from 2004 through 2011, members of the local Moose Lodge provided golf
cart rides around Ada Hayden Heritage Park (AHHP) for older adults with mobility
impairments. Lodge members determined that if they did not provide this service, these
individuals may never get to experience the overall beauty of the 437-acre site. Although
motorized mobility devices (e.g., electric wheelchairs, motorized mobility scooters, etc.) are
permitted on the trails, many individuals do not have this type of device that enables them to
enjoy the park system.
In 2016 – 2019 and 2021 - 2024, the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park (Friends) provided
this valuable service to individuals with mobility impairments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the golf cart tours were not held in 2020. The tours were also not held in 2025 due to the trail
replacement project. When the tours have been held, the Friends have received many positive
comments.
The Friends are proposing to offer tours on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 9:00 am –
8:00 pm, and Thursday, September 17, 2026, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Friends will rent
golf carts, provide volunteers as drivers and interpreters, and provide the City with a
Certificate of Insurance to cover liability. Tours will be promoted, and reservations will
be taken for various time slots.
Municipal Code Section 19.9 restricts motorized vehicles to streets and parking lots.
Therefore, the Friends are requesting that the City Council waive enforcement of this
ordinance on Wednesday, September 16 (9:00 am - 8:00 pm) and Thursday, September 17
(9:00 am - 4:00 pm) at AHHP. This request is attached. The Parks and Recreation
Commission reviewed this request at its April 16, 2026 meeting and recommended City
Council grant this waiver.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Waive enforcement of Section 19.9 of Municipal Code on Wednesday, September 16,
2026 (9:00 am - 8:00 pm) and Thursday, September 17, 2026 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm) at
Ada Hayden Heritage Park to allow the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park to provide
golf cart tours to mobility impaired individuals.
2. Deny the request.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park are proposing to provide a tremendous
service for members of our community that otherwise would not have the opportunity
to tour this park in its entirety. Therefore, it is City Manager ’s recommendation to approve
Alternative #1 as stated above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Request For Ada Hayden Heritage Park Golf Cart Tours 2026.pdf
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April 13, 2026
To: Keith Abraham, Director, Ames Parks and Recreation Director and Ames Parks
Commissioners
RE: Ada Hayden mobility challenged park tour event
Keith and Parks Commissioners:
Continuing successful events from the past, the Friends of Ada Hayden would again like to
provide an opportunity for Ames area residents who have mobility issues to access Ada Hayden
Park. For the Fall ’26 proposed event, we would rent golf carts, provide a driver/interpreter for
each cart and facilitate a 1.5 – 2-hour tour of the park.
We are looking forward to high attendance and interest this fall after canceling the event last fall
to accommodate trail repair activities. Our goal is to exceed our past high mark of 90
participants! Our principal contacts have included the ever-growing senior housing operations.
Northcrest, Green Hills, Northridge, The Meadows, Windsor Oaks and others would welcome
the event to continue. Additionally, we will offer a tour option on day one for council and city
staff.
For 2026 we are proposing Wednesday September 16th and Thursday September 17th for tours.
Tours would be conducted beginning at 9:30 a.m. on the proposed days. Wednesday tour times
are proposed for 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30, with a special 5:30 pm tour specifically for City Council
members and members of the Parks Commission. Thursday tour times are proposed for 9:30,
11:30, and 1:30.
We will provide liability/hazard insurance for both the City of Ames and the golf cart company.
We are seeking approval from both the Parks Commission and the Ames City Council for a
temporary suspension of the “no motorized vehicles” rule on the trails to hold this special event.
The Friends of Ada Hayden are happy to provide this service to the mobility challenged residents
of the community at no cost to the City or the Parks Department. We appreciate your
partnership, and that you will approve this request. Please let me know if you have questions or
concerns about the event.
Thank you.
Jeri Neal, Board Member, Secretary
Friends of the Ada Hayden Heritage Park
916 Ridgewood Ave , Ames, Iowa 50010
515-233-1185
Leopold.ecology@gmail.com
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