Alaska News

Anchorage parks and rec to hold 2nd hearing on Kincaid snowmachine use

A public hearing held Thursday to discuss whether or not snowmachines should be allowed access to Kincaid Park's motocross track drew quite a crowd, according to Anchorage TV station KTUU. As a result, the Municipality's Parks and Recreation Department was only able to hear from about half of the commenters and, in order to hear the rest, a second hearing will be held on February 14.

The public was invited to comment after the Anchorage Lions Club and the Nordic Skiing Association butted heads over the proposed access.

The Lions club wants to use the motocross track inside the park for snowmachine races and events, but the Nordic Skiing Association is concerned over loud noise and potential trail damage.

Kincaid is a 1,400-acre park in west Anchorage popular with cross-country skiers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and hikers. It boast 60 kilometers of trails, a third of them lighted.

While the two groups don't see eye-to-eye, Parks and Rec just wants everybody to get along.

John Rodda, director of parks and rec said, "Should we would be looking for another space, another site, something large enough that they can actually prepare for snow-cross likely that would include motocross? it really makes no sense to have two different locations." Rodda added, "If we can find a big enough site to accommodate everybody, then ideally they can develop it. That would accommodate their needs and interests and less impact to other people."

The second hearing will be held on February 14 at the Spenard Recreation Center. Read more.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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