The latest news

A public hearing about Anchorage’s bear problem will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 16 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Loussac Library. Here is this morning’s article concerning Assemblyman Starr’s proposal. The agenda item falls late in the meeting. If you feel strongly about this issue and wish to testify, we recommend going early to sign up. Take a sack dinner and a good book.

Here is the full text of Starr’s resolution.

The new trails (we are informally calling them the STA Trails) are a hoot to ski and snowshoe! After the recent snowfall the lower loop is in excellent condition with the exception of one downed birch tree (hint). There are two spruce trees on the South Intermediate Loop’s lower reaches in need of removal. Skiing and snowshoeing the trails after a dump of snow is encouraged.

Bill Starr's bear resolution

Eagle River Assemblyman Bill Starr has drafted a resolution to address the bear situation at the Assembly meeting on Tuesday, October 28th. You may comment by e-mailing the Anchorage Assembly members or by attending the meeting.

Click here for a contact list.

Click here for the agenda.

Clearing the trails

Today's work party cleared more trees from the new trail system. It's always impressive what a few volunteers can do in a few hourse (especially with a chain saw). Thanks to all the folks who came out and took on this mess:

One of the more impressive tangles involved several trees that completely buried a switchback.

Deep into the cutting of timber and tossing of debris.

Almost there.

Ready to ride.

"Fifteen minutes ago," Mike said, "We didn't know where this trail was."

Trees blown down on the trails

Mark Your Calendars!

Please Help Us Clear the New Singletrack Trails!

Saturday, October 18th
1:00 p.m.

Meet at the Prospect Heights Parking Lot, then
walk down the Gasline toward Hilltop.
Enter the second trail entrance on the right,
which is marked “Advanced Loop”
(trail entrance is blocked by a chain)

BRING:
Chain saw if you have one
Hand saws
Work gloves
Food and water

Dress for the Weather!

It's a mess out there

With the freeze/thaw that’s going on this time of year, the surface of the new trail has become incredibly muddy and is not holding up well to traffic. Please refrain from using it until the ground stays frozen throughout the day. Once winter sets in the trail will be awesome for skiing, snow shoeing, running and snow biking.

FNBP Trails Plan Timeline

Greetings Trail Advocates,

I would like to remind everyone how far Anchorage mountain bike advocacy has come in the past 3 or 4 years. We have organized as a user group and have gained the respect of other park users and Parks & Recreation. Without their support we wouldn’t have been able to build Brown Bear and now the new network of singletrack. I am very appreciative of the partnerships that we have developed. Once the go-ahead was given to begin construction of the news trails, Parks & Rec threw 100% of their cooperation into the project. They have donated in-kind, approximately $33,000 worth of services and spent many hours with us out on the trails.

The FNBP Trails Plan is another step in the process of thoughtful management of the park. Thanks for your support, and thanks for participating!

Here is the timeline for the FNBP Trails Plan.

September, 2008
Public Open House
Proposed Trail Network, Classifications & Project List Available for Review

October 6, 2008
Comments Due on the above review documents http://apps.amicro.biz/feedback/dowl/

December, 2008
Complete Draft Plan Available for Review

January, 2008
Stakeholder Follow-up Meetings
Steering Committee Meeting
Parks & Recreation Commission Review & Public Hearing (January 8, 2009)

Spring 09 Final Trail Improvement Plan Review by the Urban Design Commission

Will our trails be blocked?

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

The Municipality of Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department is putting the finishing touches on the Far North Bicentennial Park Trails Plan. One omission from the most recent version of the plan is Phase II of the Hillside Singletrack Project. This second phase is located on the north side of Campbell Airstrip Road and just below Stuckagain Heights neighborhood.

As a bit of background, the Basher Community Council passed a resolution unanimously in support of Phase II of the project. It also received extensive multi-agency review through the Coastal Zone Management Program and an Environmental Checklist. This occurred before this summer’s problems with the bears reached a critical point.

The reason given for the removal of the project was the need to maintain wildlife corridors. I can understand that the wildlife issue deserves more thoughtful discussion and the development of a management plan. Removing Phase II of the project essentially eliminates the hope for any future trail project in this area. At least if the project is in the plan, it could conceivably happen at some point in the near or distant future. If it’s not in the plan, any proposal could be turned down simply on the basis that “it isn’t consistent with the Trails Plan.”

Parks & Rec has to balance a lot of competing issues in the park. Singletrack concerns are just one of them. There are many difficult choices to be made. It would be worth your time to visit the Trails Plan website and click on the link to give your individual opinion. There are a lot of supporting materials available on the website as well. http://www.muni.org/parks/FNBPTrailsPlanDocs.cfm.

Please note that the plan is a work in progress, and will later be presented for public review. Now is the time to speak up on behalf of our trail project.

THE DEADLINE IS OCT. 6.