Paddlers can now easily take a four-mile ride down Beaver Creek to Merle Hay Road.

The first waterway access point of the Central Iowa Water Trails project opened in Johnston on Tuesday. The inaugural launch was held for a new carry-down access site on Beaver Creek.

Entering Beaver Creek before the access point was constructed was difficult, Johnston Mayor Paula Dierenfeld said.

“This is so exciting,” Dierenfeld said. “I’ve been on the creek a few times. You used to have to drag a canoe across leaves and mud … but, now, that’s all changed.”

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