ANCHORAGE – Mayor Ethan Berkowitz welcomes Anchorage’s new “50 Cities” partnership to help kids and families get outside. As a selected city, Anchorage will receive a grant from American Express to build a community team that coordinates outdoor activities for Anchorage children.
“We welcome new resources that will help coordinate public and private partners to get kids and families outside,” said Mayor Berkowitz. “This grant provides an opportunity to increase access and awareness to Anchorage’s amazing network of trails, parks, and outdoor recreational opportunities.”
As a result of this new funding, Get Outdoors Anchorage, through the YMCA, will be hiring a Get Outdoors Coordinator who will work with the many afterschool programs, schools, and community organizations to make sure kids get outside, get healthy, and experience all Anchorage has to offer.
“Nunaka Valley Elementary wants this tunnel to be less scary. They want a place to gather and learn outside on the trail. And they want signs! We can do this,” says Beth Nordlund, Executive Director of the Anchorage Park Foundation. “Schools all over Anchorage will get a chance to make trails more useful and get more kids outside.”
Through the Corps Network and Youth Employment in Parks, the Anchorage Park Foundation is proud to accept an Americorp member to serve as the coordinator for Schools on Trails, working with schools all over Anchorage to find out what teachers and other programs need to get kids outside.
“The Trails Initiative is one of our Live.Work.Play. areas of focus,” says Archana Mishra, AEDC Live.Work.Play. Director. “Anchorage’s business community knows that great trails attract a talented workforce, and strengthens our economy. Schools on Trails strengthens education, wellness, safety – this program has it all!”
The announcement of this new partnership will occur today, at 10am, at Russian Jack Springs Park (parking available at Nunaka Valley Elementary).
For more information, contact Myer Hutchinson at (907) 343-7133.
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