Outdoors/Adventure

15 Anchorage recreation projects get $200,000 boost

Not all capital improvements in Alaska are multi-million-dollar projects.

The Anchorage Park Foundation awarded 15 Foundation Challenge Grants totaling $200,699 for a range of recreation and outdoors improvements. Some individual projects cost less than $1,000 and employ the services of Eagle Scouts to ensure they happen.

The grants, funded through the Rasmuson Foundation, are handed out every two years. In 2013, they totaled about $320,000 because the Anchorage Park Foundation had money leftover from previous projects. But with 33 applications this year, the eight-year-old program had its most competitive season.

"The exciting thing about it is that it's community driven," said Alyse Loran, program and grant manager of the Anchorage Park Foundation. "It goes to your neighbors and reflects the priorities of community councils. This is what people want to see on their parks and trails."

The biggest single grant, $40,000, goes to the Schools on Trails program, to rehabilitate the Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail and improve it with more interpretive signage and add a viewing platform. The nature trail, which connects to the Chester Creek Trail, is near the Westchester Lagoon Disc Golf Course.

Here are the grant winners:

Kincaid Nordic Ski Holders – $856: Eagle Scout candidate George Cvancara will construct Nordic ski holders at Kincaid Park.

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Fishing Line Collection Stations – $1,500: Anchorage Waterways Council will build and install collection stations for used fishing line at various fishing spots in parks around Anchorage.

Ship Creek Trail Wayfinding – $30,000: Anchorage Community Land Trust will install wayfinding signs along the Ship Creek trail, including wayfinding to Davis Park and the connection to the Glenn Highway bike trail to Eagle River.

Bonnie Cusack Rink Warming Shack Renovation – $2,750: Anchorage Skate Club will renovate the warming shack at the Bonnie Cusack Memorial Outdoor Rink at Chester Creek Sports Complex.

Singletrack Trail Improvements – $10,000: Singletrack Advocates will maintain and improve existing singletrack trails at Hillside and Kincaid Park.

Far North Bicentennial Park Bridge Maintenance – $4,150: The Alaskan Sled Dog Racing Association will perform maintenance and upgrades to bridges in Far North Bicentennial Park.

Scenic Foothills Trail – $20,000: The Scenic Foothills Trails User Group will construct a trail connecting the Scenic Foothills neighborhood to Far North Bicentennial Park.

Russian Jack Springs Park Learning Labs – $21,050: The Anchorage Schools on Trails Program will construct learning labs at Russian Jack Springs Park near the connection to Nunaka Valley Elementary School.

Chugach Foothills Park Mutt Mitt Station – $1,400: Eagle Scout candidate Ferris Allen will install a dog waste collection station at Chugach Foothills Park.

Cuddy Family Midtown Park Public Address System – $3,911: Alaska Speedskating Club will install a public address and speaker system at Cuddy Family Midtown Park.

Girdwood Tennis Court Rehabilitation – $10,000: The Girdwood Tennis Committee will rehabilitate the Girdwood tennis court.

Historic Iditarod Trail Improvements – $17,882: The Girdwood Trails Committee will improve tread and drainage on a portion of the Historic Iditarod Trail.

Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail Improvements – $40,000: The Schools on Trails Program will rehabilitate the Westchester Lagoon Nature Trail and improve it to aid instruction along the trail.

Barbara Street Park Revitalization – $15,500: Eagle Scout candidate James Allen and community member Schawna Thoma will revitalize Barbara Street Park by painting, cleaning, and installing new toddler play equipment.

Benches for All – $21,700: Intrinsic Landscapes LLC. will design and install three sculptural communal seating areas in parks to be determined.

Mike Campbell

Mike Campbell was a longtime editor for Alaska Dispatch News, and before that, the Anchorage Daily News.

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