Get to Know: Clive
Nestled between the larger suburbs of Greater Des Moines (DSM), the city of Clive is an ideal choice to call home. The Clive Greenbelt is a parks system that features trails and the famous Clive Greenbelt Goats, who assist with managing invasive plants in the area. The Greenbelt Trail is 11.3 miles, while the Clive portion of the Raccoon River Valley Trail is 2.6 miles of recreational fun. The annual Clive Festival boasts music, food, fireworks and a Running Festival each summer. Public art continues to be added within the city, thanks to the Art Along the Trail program. The locally designed “Oriental Bell,” made of recycled steel and aluminum cylinder, is part of the Clive public art permanent collection, along with other art pieces like the “Seahorse” sculpture and “Views from the Valley” murals.
Clive at a Glance
Clive in one sentence: Clive offers a small-town feel with big-city amenities and is known for its beautiful Greenbelt Park and Trail.
The top five best things about Clive: Clive’s central location at the crossroads of two major interstate systems (35 and 80) and several main transportation corridors creates easy access to work, world-class art and culture and exceptional schools, while Clive’s residents and businesses consistently give Clive the highest marks for safety, care for natural and open spaces, value for taxes paid and trust in their municipal government. Clive tops the lists of relocation options for several reasons: low residential taxes, high-quality educational systems, a vibrant public art initiative and an exceptional offering of parks and recreational areas surrounding one of our best features, the Clive Greenbelt Trail.
Hidden Gems and Unexpected Finds in Clive: 5 Borough Bagels offers authentic New York bagels, made from scratch cream cheeses and delicious coffee drinks at 13435 University Avenue in Clive. The repurposed Harbach Center features a new neighborhood expansion of the Clive Public Library and exciting new amenities and programing. Do you need to use a computer? A quiet place to study? Want to play a pickup game of basketball? All of this and more will be possible at the Harbach Center.
Community Traditions and Annual Events: A 45+ year tradition, the Clive Festival is a celebration of Clive held at Greenbelt Landing in July. Featuring live music and activities for all ages, the Clive Festival is best known for the Giant Slip N Slide and the “Thunder Over Clive” Fireworks. Over 400 individuals in the community receive baskets of food, personal care items, clothing, and toys to help make the holiday season brighter during the Clive Holiday Baskets for the Needy program. Food Truck Fridays allow the whole family to enjoy music, food and fun at Campbell Park in Clive.
Best Ways to Get Connected: Several groups offer great ways to get connected in Clive. The Clive Lions Club sponsors Scout Packs, has an annual holiday food and toy project for families in need, spends hundreds of hours annually conducting eye exams for preschoolers and helps with numerous other community service projects. Clive Community Services (CCS) is a community-supported organization that provides free human services to all in need. It operates a food pantry, and offers personal care items, clothing, and free medical clinic. CCS is completely financed by grants and donations and depends on volunteers to operate. Members of the Clive Historical Society work to make a difference within the community by preserving local historical landmarks and sharing our history through hosting open-house events and appointment tours.
Big Things on the Horizon for Clive: The Greenbelt Landing Project is a plan for enhancing nearly 15 acres located on the east side of NW 114th Street in Clive, just outside the Aquatic Center. This project will enhance recreational opportunities, improve water quality and help maintain wildlife habitat in a park contiguous with the larger Clive Greenbelt. Plans for the updated space include enhancements for community gathering, nature exploration, exercise and engagement with the outdoors and include highlights like a stormwater treatment wetland of native plant species to infiltrate and filter stormwater, an ADA-accessible boardwalk to provide educational access to visitors, an enhanced and restored riparian upland and lowland habitat using native plantings and create ADA access to Walnut Creek. Updates to the pond area will include a staging area for concerts and programming.
If you’re coming to check out the community, be sure to spend your day ... with the Clive Greenbelt Goats. During warmer weather the herd is moved along the trail working to clear the area. In the winter months you can visit them at the goat enclosure located north of Clive City Hall. Walk the popular Clive Greenbelt Trail’s 7.9-mile paved trail winds along Walnut Creek and through dense woodlands — you’ll soon forget you’re in an urban setting! Then visit the microbrewery located on the Clive Greenbelt Trail; 515 Brewing Company is known for handcrafting some of the best beers in Iowa.
Resources