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 neighborhood expansion of the Clive Public Library and exciting 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 is 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 80 families 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 is dedicated to serving the community through a variety of service projects and volunteer opportunities. Clive Community Services (CCS) is a community-supported organization that provides free human services to those in need, including a food pantry, clothing and personal care items and a free medical clinic, and relies on volunteers and donations to operate. Members of the Clive Historical Society also work to preserve local history and foster community connection through educational efforts and community engagement.
Big Things on the Horizon for Clive: Clive ontinues to invest in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship through the Greenbelt Landing Project, a multi-phase effort enhancing nearly 15 acres along NW 114th Street near the Clive Aquatic Center. The project is designed to expand recreational opportunities, improve water quality and support wildlife habitat within the larger Clive Greenbelt. Planned and ongoing improvements include spaces for community gathering, nature exploration and exercise, along with features like a stormwater treatment wetland, ADA-accessible boardwalk, restored native habitats and enhanced access to Walnut Creek.
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.
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