Community Reference Guide
Ankeny
Ankeny leadership embraced the motto "The shortest distance between two points is the least time" after an independent study showed the downtown Des Moines financial district to be only 13 minutes away. This means commuters can expect a faster and less-congested commute from Ankeny than from Des Moines' western suburbs. With the completion of the Ankeny Regional Airport in the heart of the industrial park, Ankeny is becoming a vibrant business center for Central Iowa. Ankeny's aggressive economic development program has attracted several major industries over the past five years and offers competitively priced sites and buildings for industry. Ankeny leadership embraced the motto "The shortest distance between two points is the least time" after an independent study showed the downtown Des Moines financial district to be only 13 minutes away. This means commuters can expect a faster and less-congested commute from Ankeny than from Des Moines' western suburbs. With the completion of the Ankeny Regional Airport in the heart of the industrial park, Ankeny is becoming a vibrant business center for Central Iowa. Ankeny's aggressive economic development program has attracted several major industries over the past five years and offers competitively priced sites and buildings for industry.
Ankeny offers friendly, family-oriented living with few big-city problems, less crime and lower taxes. Yet, at the same time it is a growing community of 25,000 people offering all the cultural amenities and economic opportunities of a major metropolitan center. Ankeny is home to 25 churches and numerous community groups, several health care centers and a variety of shopping areas and family oriented entertainment options.
POPULATION (2000 Est.) 25,297
CULTURAL& RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
- 3 Golf Courses
- 10 Tennis Courts
- 12 Parks
- 3 Swimming Pools
- 1 Country Club
- 1 Community Theater
In addition Ankeny provides: Little League, softball and soccer complexes, a bike trail, disc golf course, 3,500-seat field house, 4,000-seat stadium, all-weather track, YMCA, and a comprehensive park and recreational program. The 5,900 acre Saylorville Dam project west of the city provides opportunities for hiking, boating, swimming, biking, camping and fishing.
ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS
Summer Fest, a community wide celebration, offers a Grand Parade, local talent show competition, games for all ages, and fireworks. Celebration in Brass, a Drum Corps International drum and bugle corps competition, sponsored by the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce, attracts corps from the United States and Canada. Aviation Expo, the world's most unique aviation event, features 1/5 scale model aircraft, and Santa's North Pole Festival, an Ankeny Arts Council event, brings craft exhibitors from all over Iowa.
EDUCATION
Ankeny Public Schools
| East Elem. | 710 SE 3rd St | 965-9660 |
| Northeast Elem. | 1705 NE Trilein Dr | 965-9620 |
| Northwest Elem. | 1202 W 1st St | 965-9680 |
| Southeast Elem. | 1005 SE Trilein Dr | 965-9650 |
| Terrace Elem. | 310 NWSchool St | 965-9670 |
| Westwood Elem. | 2920 NW9th | 965-9640 |
| Northview Middle (8-9) | 1010 NWPrairie Ridge Dr | 965-9700 |
| Ankeny High School | 1302 N Ankeny Blvd | 965-9630 |
Colleges
- Des Moines Area Community College
- Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary