August2005

Trail Reports - August 2005

Add-on to my 8/25 CT1, CT2, CH-1 Report... The asphalt patches on the Coastal Trail between Lyn Ary and Earthquake Park are a big improvement and much appreciated. The "rolly" section below Earthquake Park is much better now and and safer for bikers and roller bladders. The Chester Creek Trail at Valley of the Moon Park could use the same treatment in at least two locations. Thanks for the maintenance!!
CT-1, CT-2, CH-1. Thursday, August 25, 2005. 6:00 - 7:30 PM. No graffiti noticed and no suspicious activity to report. The only real event was a mother moose and two calves just north of Lyn Ary Park. The moose were very close to the trail (sandwiched between the trail and fenced yards. Mom seemed to be in a good mood and most interested in eating, but the little ones were more active and getting very close to the trail. I stopped and kept an eye on things, warning walkers/joggers/bikers for about 15 minutes before the moose move closer to Lyn Ary and away from the trail. I've seen and reported this group of moose before, so they are locals and others should keep an eye out for them. The last time I saw them, they were in the same location, but closer to Fish Creek.
8/25/2005 6:30-8:15 AM CT 1 CT 2 Intermittent light and heavy rain forced waiting in tunnels. The rain was too heavy to ride CH 1. No unsafe acts or conditions noted. The entire trail and parking lot at Westchester and Earthquake Park were devoid of graffiti and litter. There were a surprising number of intrepid runners on the trail (mostly females) 8/18/2005 6 - 8 AM CT 1, CT 2 and CH 1 I forgot to report after this ride. No unsafe acts or conditions on the trail The BBQ for TW was a pleasant time. Thanks
At approximately 1945 hours 22 August I encountered an anxious parent just south and west of International on the Campbell Creek trail. He was searching for two overdue teenage boys. I gathered a description of the subjects, and informed the parent that I remembered seeing the boys earlier fishing along the creek. I encouraged the parent to continue south and west along the trail while I conducted a hasty search for the subjects. The boys were found by me between Lynwood street and Taku Lake. The boys were escorted by me to a rendezvous with the thankful parent at 2010 hours.
Beavers are actively chewing down some pretty large trees from the Minnesota underpass east to Rowena street... They are about to fell a 15 inch tree across the trail...
Old Seward and International on the Campbell creek underpass between Local Burger Man and Lithia Hyundai. The underpass remains full of F... Bush. This has been reported several times and seems to persist without apparent action by Graffiti Busters...WHY can't this be removed by Graffiti Busters. I have tried by reporting to Trial watch three times, Graffiti Busters three times and nothing happens. Tomorrow I will contact the Mayors Office and see if I can raise a little interest there.
Four high school or young college age boys were riding mini motorbikes on the trail at 11:00 pm tonight - Aug 19
SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE !!!!!!!!!!!! ONE HUNDRED YARDS WEST OF MINNESOTA ON THE CAMPBELL CREEK TRAIL. AN OPEN MANHOLE COVER WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO FALL INTO...I WILL REPORT THIS BY TELEPHONE TO AWWU EARLY ON THE MORNING OF 16 AUGUST ...
Graffiti!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is my fourth report and request for Graffiti Busters to remove the F...Bush Graffiti on the walls of the underpass on Campbell Creek Trail one block south of International. I understand that the Graffiti Buster may be busy...But eight weeks later and still no response. Trail Watchers are asked to report these problems so they can be fixed. When nothing happens in response to these reports I wonder why I go through this effort to participate...Please call me at 677 3743 to discuss this non action. Reported to graffiti busters
Sunday, August 14. CT-1, CT-2, CH-1. 6:45 - 8:00 AM. Quiet, cool and drizzly morning on the trails. Few people on the trails this morning. No suspicious activity and no maintenance problems to report.
Heading west on the Coastal Trail past the lagoon, after one crosses the wooden bridge over Fish Creek, there are 3 benches and a bike rack. Someone has carved the "F" word into a darker rectangle of asphalt. It is very large and very apparent, especially when wet.Reported to maintenance
Below Lynn Ary Park on the beach, there is a party location. I have picked up several lawn sized trash bags weekly of empty beer cans and liquor bottles. There is also a smoldering fire that burns until there is a high tide. Park benches have been burned because the metal frames are in the area. My 15 year old daughter discovered a cell phone there last week. She called the number to return the phone to a teen who invited her down to the party spot on Saturday nights. So definitely there is under-age drinking done at this location. And who knows how many vehicles are driven to this spot. One can smell the burning wood all the way up on Illiamna Avenue. The party either must be very well attended or a few are consuming an incredible amount of alcohol, due to the trash that is left on the beach. So the issues here are under-age drinking, possible DWI's, destruction of municipal property, and illegal burning. Reported to APD
CT-1, CT-2, CH-1. Thursday, Aug.11. 6:00-8:00 PM. I was flagged down by a resident who was walking on the Chester Creek Trail this evening. He told me that someone had entered his pickup truck several times, and most recently a wallet was taken from his vehicle. The vehicle was parked at his house on 22nd and Eagle, near where I met him on the trail. I told him I would keep my eye out for a wallet (none found). I also advised him to call APD. The resident also advised that he had located two homeless camps at this same location on the trail. The first camp is located on the south side of Chester Creek and directly south of the bridge crossing Chester creek (south of the ball fields and Sullivan arena and just west of Cal Worthington's). That camp appears to be abandoned but has a lot of debris remaining. The second camp is located west of the first camp but near there and appears to be active. A mother and two baby moose were on the Coastal Trail just south of Fish Creek. There were several close encounters from bike riders who ignored my warnings, but no incidents. The moose tied up the trail for about 15 minutes and moved on. Broken glass in the Lyn Ary parking lot is currently a problem - the whole area could do with a sweeping. Talked to several trail users tonight about TW and answered questions from several guest. No graffiti on Chester Creek trail to report and no suspicious activity or other problems tonight.Reported to maintenance & CWS
In an unscheduled ride on Campbell Creek trail the last Tuesday (2-3 PM)and found heavy graffiti on the railroad bridge abutments and also starting again in the tunnel at Arctic. Trail heavily used by teens. Reported to graffiti busters
8/11/2005 0600 to 0815 CT1, CT2, CH1 Trail is good shape No graffiti, no unsafe acts, no unsafe conditions Trail use quite heavy. People in a good mood. Many visitors. I find the trail maps being read every time I ride the coastal trail.
There are shards of broken glass in the parking lot next to the baseball diamonds at Lyn Ary park.
I often walk on the beach to watch the trail from a different perspective. I noticed some graffiti on the wooden bridge (ocean side)which crosses over Fish Creek west of West Chester Lagoon.
Garbage collection Birch Park, South Anchorage I have noticed that garbage collection in summer is not as frequent as it should be. In summer with Birch Park becoming increasingly more popular and groups of people choosing to celebrate events there, pick-up of garbage must be more often We expect individuals to be good citizens and keep the parks clean but if the garbage collection does not come around often enough, they will eventually be discouraged and drop it elsewhere. Last night the garbage container was literally overflowing and dogs had torn out bags and scattered the contents all over. With black bears known to roam the area these are ideal feeding grounds. Two young men cleaned up the mess when I came to the park in the evening. BIRCH PARK NEEDS A GARBAGE REMOVAL--URGENTLY!!
There is a hole on the trail near the intersection of Northern Lights and Bragaw. It appears to have been filled once before with gravel. Now most of the gravel have moved out of the hole and is a hazard for any one using the trail, especially ones using a stroller or bike trailer.Reported to maintenance
Thurs 8/4/2005 6:15-8:00 AM CT 1, CT 2 & CH 1 Light rain, not many people on the trail. Entire length of the sections were in good shape and clean. No unsafe conditions or acts. Only animal was a red fox at Lyn Ary Park. Thanks to maintenance who cleaned the gravel from CT-1 0.28 miles from 3rd.