Trail Watch Homepage

You are here : Home > Departments > TrailWatch > Trail Watch Homepage

Trail Watch: Keeping trails safe for Family, Friends and Visitors

TRAIL MAP FEATURE!!! MOA Trails Mapper.

Welcome to Trail Watch – Extra eyes and ears for trail safety
The Anchorage trail system includes over 134 miles of paved trails / sidewalks and some 160 miles of non paved trails that spread through the city’s urban center, wrap around coastline neighborhoods and stretch into the foothills of nearby Chugach State Park.   Anchorage residents consistently rank the award winning trail system as the city’s number one recreational asset.

Trail Watch taps into our community passion for trails by recruiting trail users to help promote safety and prevent crime. Volunteers receive safety training, agree to carry cell phones reporting suspicious activity, post incident reports on the Trail Watch website and wear distinctive arm bands. Through this highly visible presence, crime is discouraged and residents feel safer as they use the trails to run, ski, walk their dogs, ride their horses, bike or commute to work.

As of April 2008, 340 trail users had registered as trail watchers and were out on the trails.  We are excited that you are interested in learning more about this citizen based trail safety team and hope you will join our team on the trails

Trail Watch Ride and Roll kicks of the summer
The TW Advisory Committee would like to invite all to be part of a fun Trail Watch awareness event on Chester Creek and T.K Coastal Trail – the 3rd Annual Trail Watch Ride and Roll Day on May 10, from 12:30pm - 5pm.

TW Advisory Committee are encouraging riders, rollers and walkers to enjoy the Chester Creek, T.K Coastal Trail and Campbell Creek Trail in this low key recreational day on the trails. Trail Watch volunteers will be providing water, snacks, and children of need with bike helmets and trail / TW information. Last year volunteers assisted over 300 riders and walkers and provided 50 children with helmets that did not have helmets.

This year, Kincaid Chalet, Westchester Lagoon Headquarters, Russian Jack Springs Selkregg Chalet and Goose Lake Paddleboat Café Trail Watch stations will be open to support riders and suggested as starting points for the day trips. Others stations will be located at Pt Woronzof, Lyn Ary Park and Chester Creek Sports Complex. A new station will be located on Campbell Creek Trail at the Taku Lake trail head / parking lot.

Volunteers are welcome to assist Trail Watch members at the seven (7) stations. If interested please email John McCleary, P&R trail Watch Coordinator at mccleaji@ci.anchorage.ak.us with your preferred station and time. Come out and join in on a fun day on our trails supported by Trail Watch, Parks and Recreation, Covenant House, Paddleboat Cafe, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Safe Kids Alaska and REI.

Bike to Work/ School Day – Thursday, May 15
Come join the Anchorage work force as they hit the trails and streets on Thursday, May 15 demonstrating an alternative way to come to work, being fit and having fun. On Saturday, May 17, REI will host the “Celebration of Cycles” event on the Parkstrip the day devoted to the two wheelers and riders. Complete the “How Bikable is Anchorage” survey found on the Bike to Work Day link at www.muni.org/healthchp/biketoworkday.cfm and become eligible for prizes. Remember to wear your armband or vest to let the bikers know we are on the trails too!!

Moose never should be taken lightly!!
Moose are very common along our winter trails.  While the moose seem slow and docile they can explode with speeds that catch most by surprise. We ask Trail Watch volunteers and the public to be moose aware and be cautious near moose. If a moose is encountered, back off, be prepared to get off the trail and put trees between you and the moose, always keep watching the moose as you give them their space. The moose always have the right of way!

Warm weather encourages new trail users - the bruins!!
As snows thaw and winter gives way to spring, new trail users will be out on the trails. Bears have been seen in April searching for food on the hillside and in the larger parks such as Far North Bicentennial and Kincaid parks. Trail users should keep a watchful eye when on the trails to avoid surprising a bear and allowing a good distance from them.

About Trail Watch
In September, 2003 the Municipality of Anchorage launched the Trail Watch program as a way for Anchorage residents to help keep city trails safe. Almost 150 people joined the program in the first month and can be seen on local trails wearing the distinctive Trail Watch armband..... (more)

Role of the Volunteer
Trail Watch is designed to be a user-friendly program.  Participants are encouraged to match their volunteer time with their current trail use schedule.   For example, volunteers who would like to set their own schedule can participate as Trail Watchers. Trail Watchers can volunteer as much or as little as their personal schedule allows. Volunteers who would prefer a set schedule and can make a commitment of at least two hours per week can volunteer as Trail Ambassadors... (more)

Register
Becoming a volunteer is easy. You can sign up right now with our online application. After signing up, you will receive an automatic e-mail with instructions for picking up your armband and your new member packet.  Click here to begin the short application process. Please note that all volunteer applications are subject to background check.

For more information about Trail Watch, visit the sidebar links (to the right) or call 343-4296.

632 W. 6th Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
PO Box 196650 Anchorage, Alaska 99519
Disclaimer | Privacy Statement | Site Help | (c)2004 MOA IT e-Gov