June 6 National Trails Day
Volunteer to Help Improve Our Trails
(See details in sidebar)
July 4 Bicyclists En Masse in the 4th of July Parade?
Details to come
HOT ISSUES & BIG NEWS Celebrate National Trails Day by Volunteering on June 6
Celebrate National Trails Day by spending the morning improving trails in Far North Bicentennial Park. Projects include: (1) North Bivouac / Tank Trail alder brushback and South Bivouac parking lot entrance brushback (meet at N. Bivouac trailhead, mi. 2.4 Campbell Airstrip Road), (2) Moose Meadow Trail safety treatment to improve trail visibility between Viewpoint and Blackbear Trails, and (3) Singletrack Advocates mountain bike trails grand opening and tweaks. The work day begins at 8:30 a.m. at respective trailheads and work areas and ends with a pizza party at the Campbell Creek Science Center starting about 12:30. For more info call John McCleary at 343-4296 or email him at McClearyJI@muni.org.
Muni Releases Draft Bicycle Plan for Public Comment
The Municipality of Anchorage has released for public comment the long-awaited draft Anchorage Bicycle Plan, which is aimed at increasing the facilities and use of bicycles for transportation (or "utility biking" as ATGC board member Bob Shipley puts it). To review the plan and submit comments, go to www.muni.org/transplan/non-motorized.cfm.
Far North Bicentennial Park Trail Improvement Plan Released for Comment
Anchorage Parks & Rec's draft Far North Bicentennial Park Trail Improvement plan is out for comment. It includes proposed future trail development and use classifications, a list of future trail projects, and a map of existing and proposed new trails. Parks & Rec is seeking comments by April 29. Details and a link to the plan can be found at www.muni.org/parks/FNBPTrailsPlanHome.cfm.
Parks & Rec Compromises on Russian Jack Springs Park Improvements
The Municipality of Anchorage, Parks & Rec Department has proposed an alternative to the golf course and other park improvements at Russian Jack Springs Park that greatly reduces the amount of clearing from what the First Tee proponents initially sought. The alternative, which is a blend of alternatives 2 and 3 on the Parks Dept. website, would remove no more than 0.75 acre of trees (down from the 7.5 acres of previous alternative 4 or 1.6 acres of alternative 3). Improvements would include re-design of the sledding hill for safety (with a maximum of 0.5 acre clearing), development of a separate snowboarding area, remodeling of the existing golf course, and a public picnic area and family playground. This was consitent with ATGC board views, and we testified in favor. Information is at www.muni.org/parks/RussianJackSummerWinterImprovementsHome.cfm .
Access to Near Point from Stuckagain Heights Saved (For Now) -- Needs Your Help
The nonprofit Conservation Fund announced in December that it has reached an agreement with the landowner to purchase 149 acres in Stuckagain Heights at the end of the road (where an antenna farm had been planned) to protect public access to traditional trails to Near Point and the North Fork of Campbell Creek. The purchase price is $1.6 million, and the Conservation Fund is raising funds for the purchase and transfer of the land to Chugach State Park, which has begun working with the neighborhood to plan appropriate public access facilities. Contributions can be made to: The Conservation Fund, 2727 Hiland Road, Eagle River, Alaska 99577. More
