Clive cutting down hundreds of scenic trail's trees

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) — The central Iowa city of Clive plans to straighten its scenic Greenbelt Trail to cut down on its high number of blind curves. But to do that, it also will be cutting down hundreds of trees.

The city has begun removing more than 400 trees along the trail, The Des Moines Register reported .

City officials say the changes are needed to improve safety — especially from speeding bikes — and to protect against erosion and flooding from nearby Walnut Creek.

But some trail users worry the changes will irreparably damage the path's chief features: its twists and turns and the overhead canopy of mature trees.