July2005

Trail Reports - July 2005

I'd like to report the following graffiti: UAA underpass between the dorm and University lake. Overpass over NL from Goose lake. Tikishla Park baseball score box. Sign before the underpass under Lake Otis. A sign posted advertising an apartment on the trail up from the ball fields on Lake Otis. Overpass going to Rogers Park School. Thanks Reported to graffiti busters
CT-1, CT-2, CH-1. Sunday, July 31. 6:30-8:00 AM. Quiet drizzly morning. Advised one out-of-Towner on access points and distances on the Coastal Trail, otherwise few people out and little to report. I encountered one moose on the Chester Creek trail just south of the ball fields. The moose eyed me for a few minutes then headed off into the trees. I advised one woman on a bike to watch out for the moose. Outstanding job on the gravel clean-up below Resolution Plaza. I noticed was getting worse on my Thursday evening TW ride, but did not get around to reporting it again. Now this morning I see that it has been cleaned up. Thanks!
There is a tire in the Chester Creek behind the outdoor ice skating rink and football field, about 20 feet west of the wooden bridge. Additionally, there is graffiti on the overpass near Rogers Parks School. On July 28, 1730 I observed a motorized skateboard and a young male operator entering the trail at the outdoor ice rink and he headed west bound on the Chester Creek trail. Reported to maintenance
07/28/2005 6:20 AM--8:40 AM CT1, CT2, CH1 Trail in good shape except for gravel/debris dumped on CT-1 (reported separately) No wildlife spotted. Only 53 (31 men 23 women) people met on the trail this wet and cool morning
There continues to be a pile of gravel below the parking lot at the Resolution building spread over the surface of the trail. The location is .28 miles from the beginning of CT-1 at 3rd avenue. They are apparently dumping debris (gravel & large rocks) over the edge of the slope at the parking lot. A trail cyclist stopped me today to report a near accident at this location. This is an accident and lawsuit about to happen.
Location: Birch Park on Birch Road, South Anchorage, again the playground equipment (the roof of the play house), the concrete access pad, and a large boulder next to the pad in Birch Park have been sprayed with graffiti. Some of it are obscene words, some of it depict a satanic symbol. Reported to graffiti busters
At Taku Lake and West to C Street to the bridge that crosses Campbell Creek (just west of overpass) followed a motorized skateboard/scooter (approx. 6pm) till he stopped at the end of the bridge. I mentioned to him that MOTORIZED VEHICLES are not allowed on the trail system and his reply was that he was not aware of this and had not seen any signs. At the West end of this bridge where it forks towards Arctic Blvd., there is a sign posted and I showed it to him. He was polite, apologized, but again made the comment that he had not seen any other signs on the trail system...
In areas were we have repeated graffiti and vandalism, I would suggest installing surveillance equipment to help in the prosecution of the thugs that are defacing and devaluing our public areas. It is a shame that the new bridge connecting Foxridge to Taku Lake is already littered with graffiti and profanity. I would expect that purchase cost of surveillance equipment would easily be offset by reduced maintenance costs associated with constantly re-painting the same areas. I think it would also be appropriate to install signage that informs people that mini-motorcycles and motorized scooters are MOTORIZED VEHICLES and not allowed on the trail system.
Thursday 7/14/2005 CT-1, CT-2, CH-1 6:15 AM to 8:30 AM Many walkers, joggers and bikers on the trail. CT-1 and CT-2 to Lyn Ary park should be widened to accommodate the heavy traffic. More than usual number of bikers were going unusually fast. These people do not give advance warning before passing. An public education program would be appropriate. The trails were clean and devoid of graffiti. No animals sighted.
CT-1, CT-2, CH-1. Sunday, July 10. 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM. Broken auto glass in the parking lot at Earthquake Park has been cleaned up - thank you!! Encountered evidence of new graffiti on the Chester Creek trail near the community gardens on C Street. I found a stencil with 4 letters or numbers cut out of it and bright orange spray paint on it on the trail just north of the community gardens. It looks like the vandal was interrupted and left his materials on the trail. I took the stencil and disposed of it in a trash can back at Westchester lagoon. Saw one moose at Fish Creek on the Coastal Trail, otherwise no wildlife or suspicious activity to report.
PARTILLAY DESTROYED PICNIC TABLE IN EAST CHESTER PARK. TRAIL SIDE. 11 JULY 2005
CAMPSITE 16 tH AND A STREET. NORTHSIDE OF CREEK IN THE TREE LINE IN LEFT FIELD AREA OF THE BASEBALL STADIUM. A SINGLE BLUE TENT VISIBLE FORM THE TRAIL. MONDAY 11 JULY 2005
CT-1, CT-2, CH-1. Thursday July 7. 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Broken auto window glass was present in the parking lot at Earthquake Park. Gravel is continuing to encroach on the Coastal Trail below Resolution Plaza, between Elderberry Park and 3rd Ave. Finally, the dip in the pavement on the north edge of the Chester Creek Trail immediately east of A Street is worse. That should get filled with some patch and smoothed out as soon as possible. I also observed a young woman with several small children riding a motorized scooter on the Coastal Trail in the vicinity of Elderberry Park. Otherwise, few problems to report. No wildlife sightings, no suspicious activity. Reported to maintenance
07/07/2005 AM No unsafe acts witnessed No graffiti seen Unsafe condition--Thick gravel spilling down embankment onto CT-1 trail. Gravel source dumped from parking lot at Resolution Bldg (Red Building) and includes large chunks of concrete. This needs to be addressed NOW. Reported to maintenance
At the skateboard ramp/park area south of the gazebo at Taku Lake, there is a ramp in the middle of the bike trail. Looks like the ramp was dragged there, also a garbage can was placed at the high end of the ramp, appears to have been knocked over some times, plenty of garbage all over... I asked the young guys there about the ramp being moved and suggested the garbage be picked up, but only got stares, mumbling, no response...Reported to maintenance
In the past several years and again this evening (about 10 p.m.) I noticed a sewage smell along the Chester Creek Trail -- just east of the ball parks off of Lake Otis. Have always wondered if there was a leak from a septic tank or sewer line or something in that area. Also, the bike path from Russian Jack bridge crossing No Lts almost all the way to the Goose Lake bridge is in terrible condition -- the ruts are running with the trail, and there are several holes and root problems. This is a nice part of the trail, but I don't know the last time there was anything done to maintain it. Except for the "forever to be overlooked" and very dangerous hill at Point Woronzof (which put a woman in the hospital last year for a week -- hint hint), the trail seems to be in reasonable condition heading toward Kincaid -- Wish there were a way we could require alcohol to only be sold in plastic or aluminum containers -- it would sure make it easier on bicycles -- I got 3 flats heading from Eagle River to Kincaid a couple of weeks ago -- all from glass -- especially along Boniface -- what a beautiful trail that is , but very frustrating because of the glass -- and I am very diligent about trying to avoid it and cleaning my tires when I have to ride through it. OK, enough from me -- otherwise a beautiful ride tonight...Reported to maintenance