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2007 CAPITAL PROJECT REQUESTS 2007 Capital Projects Brochure  and Map (3.09MB) Capital Project Request Table (14KB) Park Bond Project Descriptions (16KB) Abbott Loop Community Park  (Full Brochure 2.80MB) Map (618KB) Abbott Loop Community Park is one of the newest parks in Anchorage and provides for year round family and community recreation as well as linkage to the Far North Bicentennial park trail system. Summer activities include little league baseball, soccer, horseback riding, picnicking, walking, jogging and biking. Winter activities focus on Nordic skiing as the park is a major access to the larger groomed trail network. A large amount of construction work was completed in 2006 including the paved parking lot, irrigation upgrades to the league fields, dugouts, and utility extensions to provide future lighting, picnic pavilion and pedestrian pathways. This state funding request would be used to implement the remaining elements of the Community Park Master Plan Vision.  The plan elements include the development of a playground, sledding hill, lighting, signage, trailhead improvements, park amenities, concession stand and improved pedestrian circulation.  Total park improvement project cost is $900,000, with $400,000 requested as a state grant and $500,000 in private donations from the Anchorage Park Foundation. Anchorage Multi-Use Athletic Fields  (Full Brochure 2.80MB)   Map (590KB) Over the past few years, the Municipality of Anchorage has seen a marked increase in the number of registrations for soccer programs. Since 2000, it is estimated that there has been a 12% increase in outdoor soccer registrations.  Anchorage currently has 25 multi-use sports fields.  Based on the population size and reasonable standards, about 50 fields are needed.   Given this growth, soccer has become the most popular youth sport in Anchorage. The challenge for the Parks & Recreation Department and the soccer organizations within Anchorage is how to provide quality multi-use fields to meet the increasing demand. The Parks & Recreation Department, with the involvement of the Anchorage School District, has convened a Soccer Task Force to inventory existing fields and make recommendations to the Municipality on how facilities can be improved and how we can utilize all of Anchorage’s public fields and facilities in a sustainable manner while accommodating the growth in popularity of field sports.  The task force consists of representatives from many of the major soccer clubs within the Municipality, Parks & Recreation Commissioners, Anchorage School District, recreation and competition league coaches, and at-large members.  Their recommendations will be reviewed through a public process and finally adopted by the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission. This funding request would be used to implement the recommendations of the final Soccer Task Force plan.  The plan elements include the rehabilitation of existing multi-use sports fields to a reasonable standard for all multi-use field users, promote new field development and provide the park amenities needed to offer quality spectator and player use. Total park improvement project cost is $2,000,000, with $1,000,000 requested as a state grant, $500,000 as a municipal park bond and $500,000 in private donations raised through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Anchorage Neighborhood Playground Safety Upgrades  (Full Brochure 2.57MB)   Map (370KB) Neighborhood parks form the backbone of the Anchorage park system.  They are close to home and include areas for informal play, family and community building.  They also create a sense of identity to neighborhoods.  These important community assets are in need of upgrades to provide safe, healthy and secure places for our families and children.  Much of the neighborhood park system was built in the 80’s and has received extensive use.  Equipment is at the end of its life cycle, and is in need of replacement.   This state funding request would be used to implement a comprehensive playground and neighborhood park upgrades package to address serious safety and security concerns.  The plan elements will include the rehabilitation/replacement of existing facilities and the development of complimentary park amenities to enhance the neighborhood park experience.  Total park improvement project cost is $2,000,000, with $1,000,000 requested as a state grant and $1,000,000 in private donations raised through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Anchorage Veteran’s Memorial Improvements  (Full Brochure 2.47MB)   Map (246KB) The Anchorage Veteran’s Memorial is intended to be a place that inspires and nurtures all visitors -- veterans, non-veterans and especially school children – for a heightened sense of patriotism and an appreciation for the sacrifices endured by the veterans from the 49th State. The current Veteran’s Memorial in Delaney Park experiences many limiting features and there is a strong desire within the community for the memorial to adequately reflect the contributions of our Alaskan veterans.  The proposed memorial improvements will re-orient the existing Veteran’s Memorial to recognize the use of the space that has evolved over many years. The existing memorial will be modified by orienting the area to the west, re-organizing the existing elements and constructing new elements. These improvements will provide a space for public ceremony while recognizing the needs of many for a space for quiet remembrance.  It will provide space to acknowledge the campaigns of America’s military while recognizing the specific sacrifices of Alaskans and their contributions to the protection of liberty. Improvements will make the memorial fully accessible to the disabled, will provide sound attenuation from nearby roadways, and provide lighting and visibility that meets the needs of our veterans and citizens while providing a safe and secure public space. The power of the memorial elements and the park surroundings into which it is placed will enable all visitors to contemplate both the cost of America’s liberty and the memory of those men and women who have paid it through their military service. Campbell Park  (Full Brochure 2.63MB)   Map (434KB) Campbell Park, among other popular features, provides the public access to an incredible salmon stream – Little Campbell Creek.  This heavily used community park in Anchorage’s Central Park District needs attention. This state funding request would be used to improve the parking lot and upgrade/expand off-street parking; expand the children’s play area and provide playground safety upgrades; improve picnic and other turf areas, trail connections, and signage; add or upgrade amenities such as benches and waste receptacles; and stabilize the stream bank and restore vegetation to control erosion and enhance stream habitat. Total park improvement project cost is $1,200,000. Carr-Gottstein Park  (Full Brochure 2.41MB)   Map (324KB) Carr-Gottstein Park is an undeveloped park that can serve the recreation needs of the Bayshore-Klatt Community Council area in the Southport subdivision. The park is about 12.97 acres and is uniquely situated on the coast providing spectacular views to the Alaska Coastal Wildlife Refuge and the west. A large sloping hill identifies two distinct areas of this park. These areas provide for a wide range of recreational opportunities from passive open space to active recreational amenities such as playground equipment to service the neighborhood. Requested funds would be used to develop a master plan for the park to be used in future park bonds and fundraising efforts. Total park improvement project cost is $50,000. Chester Creek Sports Complex  (Full Brochure 2.41MB) Map (197KB) The Chester Creek Sports Complex is Anchorage’s premier athletic venue, featuring the Sullivan Arena, Mulcahy Baseball Stadium, the Anchorage Football Stadium, Ben Boeke Ice Arena, and the Kosinski Baseball Fields.  The facility is also home to the Anchorage Aces, UAA hockey and basketball programs, Pilots and Bucs baseball teams, the American Legion, and a variety of high school and community-sponsored football, soccer, and hockey events.  The Municipality of Anchorage and UAA are working together on a master plan for the Chester Creek Sports Complex that will improve parking, vehicle access and facility use.  The Chester Creek Sports Complex is one of the most important areas for Anchorage organized sports and community events.  Players and spectators deserve high-quality, state-of-the-art facilities.  Last year’s federal grant improved facilities at the Anchorage Football Stadium including home side bleachers, press box, track reconfiguration, fencing and paved surfaces for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.  However, significant deficiencies in parking and access remain and impact the ability to use the area efficiently and displace parking to neighborhoods. Requested state and federal funding will be used for needed major maintenance and upgrades to the complex facilities, parking, and access in accordance with the new master plan.  Total project cost for this phase is $5,100,000, with $1,600,000 from state grants, $1.5 million from federal grants and $2,000,000 in private donations through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Cuddy Family Midtown Park  (Full Brochure 2.65MB)   Map   (459KB) Cuddy Midtown Family Park is the “Central Park” for Midtown providing the central gathering area for special events, festivals, music and activities related to the library and surrounding businesses. The park’s newly created master plan calls for expansion of the existing theatre, development of a children’s playground, enhancement of trails and pedestrian facilities, development of a great lawn for large music festivals, inclusion of a speed skating oval and hard court activity center for court sports, and development of a storm water retention pond to mitigate flooding along Fish Creek. Cuddy Family Midtown Park provides a unique opportunity to create a physical and symbolic heart in a part of the Anchorage community, where one does not currently exist. It is important to use the park’s improvement to as a catalyst for redefining a broader Midtown area vision. Another important opportunity is connection of the park with the Loussac Library, which is already one of the major anchors of the neighborhood. Imagine if the library provided a much stronger connection between the park and the surrounding community. This plan will provide that connection and a as well as a visible place where recreation, relaxation, and public events can take place.  Also, unmaintained areas to the south of the library will be reshaped and landscaped, facilitating winter maintenance and helping to address local area flooding while enhancing summer public use. Funding is requested to implement the shared library-park parking lot and promenade, better trail connections to adjacent access points, gateways, improved turf and landscape plantings, a children’s playground, a picnic shelter, active recreation opportunities within the center of the speed skating oval and park and recreation facility.  Total project cost for this phase is $4,100,000, with $1,100,000 from state grants and $3,000,000 in private donations through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Delaney Park Strip  (Full Brochure 2.32MB)   Map (114KB) Delaney Park is one of Anchorage’s oldest and most celebrated parks. It was first established as a fire break during the initial town building phase in the 1920’s and later served as the first airport and golf course for the city. During the war, troops were housed there and the first park plans were developed in the 1950’s. Statehood was celebrated here, Pope John Paul II visited, and each year the Governor’s Picnic is held in the park. Like the National Mall, this park is home to a number of memorials to our military and past historic events in Alaska. The initial phase of the project will enhance pedestrian connections to the park and upgrade basic park amenities.  Connections and gateways will be strengthened to adjacent neighborhoods and downtown across 9th and 10th Avenues via the “E” Street Corridor, Town Square Park, the new convention center and the Museum. These improvements will enhance the park by improving visibility, pedestrian safety and linking to major downtown facilities. Additional proposed improvements include upgrades to the existing turf and landscaping, the replacement of basic site amenities such as benches and trash receptacles, installation of an irrigation system, providing pedestrian amenities such as safe walking areas and landscape buffers, improving the tennis courts, outdoor hockey rink drainage and the development of ADA accessible pathways and seating areas. Total project cost for this phase is $1.9 million, with $1,400,000 from state grants, $250,000 to come from local park bond funds and $250,000 from the Anchorage Park Foundation through donors for such projects as the Veteran’s Memorial. Far North Bicentennial Park  (Full Brochure 2.65MB) Map  (238KB) Far North Bicentennial Park is Anchorage’s largest park, providing year-round outdoor recreation opportunities for the entire community. The park is home to the Hilltop Downhill Ski area, the Alaska Botanical Garden, over 100 miles of trails, many of which are lit and important connections to Chugach State Park.  The park has over 1 million visitors each year, contributing to the social, economic and ecological well being of Anchorage. As trail use increases, trail user conflicts, both in winter and in summer, also continue to increase. The growth and love of trails in the park has not been without growing pains.  In a nod to the changing nature of winter sports, there are even conflicts within the Nordic skiing community between those that desire narrow “classic” ski trails versus those that desire wider “skate” ski trails.  This marked increase of use combined with failing trail infrastructure has put tremendous pressure on park resources.  It is important to note that existing trails have largely been constructed by volunteers over the decades and trail facilities have received minimal funding, despite the popularity of trails by the community. Funding would be used to inventory all trails including their condition and current use.   Critical missing trail links and trail amenities would be identified and trail standards, classifications and trail crew specifications would be developed.  The effort would include trailhead and parking upgrades, increase wayfinding and interpretive signage, and other public amenities to enhance the park as a four-season recreation destination.  The outcome would be a comprehensive and strategic trail project list endorsed by the trail community.  In addition and importantly, the funding would be used for immediate upgrades to the existing Tour of Anchorage Trail.  In 2006 short term repairs were made to two bridges, but each need a longer-term structural safeguard.  This trail is an important north-south connector through Far North Bicentennial Park, the route of the popular Tour of Anchorage ski race, part of the national ski-marathon series, and the Iditarod. This project is strongly supported by the Far North Bicentennial Park Trail Users Committee which has stakeholders from every trail user group as well as representatives from adjacent landowners. The total project cost for this phase is $1,500,000, with $1,000,000 requested as a state grant, $250,000 to come from municipal bonds and $250,000 from funds raised through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Jewel Lake Park (Full Brochure 2.78MB)  Map (588KB) Jewel Lake Park provides a wide range of recreation opportunities including one of Anchorage’s most popular lakes for summer swimming.  Requested funds would be combined with funds from the Anchorage Park Foundation primarily to improve safety and security at the park. Improvements include the beach and lifeguard areas, parking lot, and play areas.  Funds would also be used to provide or upgrade items such as benches, waste receptacles, signage, fencing, and trail connections.  Beach and bank improvements will include water quality protection measures. Total park improvement project cost is $1,600,000, with $1,000,000 funded through this state request, $500,000 to come from municipal bonds and $100,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Kincaid Park Soccer & Nordic Improvements  (Full Brochure 2.70MB)   Map (518KB) Kincaid Park is one of Anchorage’s major outdoor recreation centers with over 1,000 acres of forest and over 100 miles of trails. The park serves a wide variety of recreation needs for both summer and winter recreation for residents and visitors to the state. The park is best known for the world class Nordic Skiing and Biathlon facilities that have hosted national and international events. The vision for Kincaid Park is to transform it into a world-class cross country skiing facility in the winter, while also serving bicyclists, hikers, disc golfers, soccer and football players, and other recreational users during the rest of the year.  Planned improvements include:  a 2.3 kilometer Nordic trail with snowmaking-system; seven natural turf soccer fields; an artificial turf field serving as a soccer field, football field, and a biathlon start/finish area and stadium; a 5- kilometer paved ski training loop, and a 2.3 kilometer paved inner-loop with lighting.  Paved trails are needed for spring/summer/fall ski training when there is no snow. The total funding request for this phase of the project is for $6,100,000, with $2,100,000 requested as a state grant, $2 million as a federal grant, and the remaining $2,000,000 as funding to come from the Anchorage Park Foundation.   The Nordic Ski Club and Anchorage Soccer Clubs are strong supporters of the planned improvements. The park has over 1 million visitors each year and hosts a number of statewide Nordic and Cross Country running events which provides economic development to the region through hotel and visitor expenditures. Muldoon Community Park  (Full Brochure 2.55MB)   Map (357KB) Muldoon Community Park is Anchorage’s newest acquired park. Acquired in October of 2006, this park is about 12 acres of land that includes a portion of the headwaters to Chester Creek. Muldoon Community Park is also located adjacent to the Muldoon Town Center as proposed in the Anchorage 2020 Plan. The 2006 Anchorage Bowl Parks Plan identified a deficiency of community use park facilities in the Northeast community council area of town.  In 2003, the Northeast Community Council area showed a deficit of 22 acres of park land per 1,000 residents based on the Parks Plan’s recommended level of service. By 2020, this deficit is proposed to be 57 acres. In addition, opportunities for connectivity to Chugach State Park have been impacted by recent development patterns. The park provides a critical link between the State Park and municipal park land for wildlife habitat and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The acquisition of this park was the first step in addressing this level of service issues in the area. Consistent with our Parks Plan, a master plan for the park is required to determine the uses and amenities appropriate to the park and the surrounding neighborhood. The requested funds would be used to develop a master plan for the park and construct the designed public facilities. Total park improvement project cost is $1,100,000. Park-School Partnership  (Full Brochure 2.72MB)   Pics (523KB) In 2005 and 2006, the Alaska State Legislature provided Parks & Recreation with funds for a joint venture with the Anchorage School District to address the shortage of park facilities anticipated over the next 5 to 15 years in the Muldoon area.  The project was to develop Totem Sports Fields at a future elementary school site.  The department looks forward to furthering its partnership with the Anchorage School District to provide healthy recreation opportunities for Anchorage’s youth.  Currently, soccer is the most popular youth sport in Anchorage and is continuing to grow in popularity. The Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department and the Anchorage School District have been taking steps to improve the quality of the existing fields and working with the soccer community to construct new fields. The Parks & Recreation Department, with the involvement of the Anchorage School District, has convened a Soccer Task Force to inventory existing fields and make recommendations to the Municipality on how facilities can be improved and how we can utilize all of Anchorage’s public fields and facilities in a sustainable manner while accommodating the growth in popularity of field sports. The Soccer Task Force consists of representatives from many of the major soccer clubs within the Municipality, Parks & Recreation Commissioners, Anchorage School District, recreation and competition league coaches, and at-large members.  Their recommendations will be reviewed through a public process and finally adopted by the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission. This state funding request would be used to implement the recommendations of the final Soccer Task Force plan pertinent to existing and new Anchorage School District facilities.  The plan elements will include the rehabilitation of existing multi-use sports fields to a reasonable standard, new field development and the amenities needed to provide successful spectator and player use. Total park improvement project cost is $2,100,000. Russian Jack Springs Park  (Full Brochure 2.82MB)   Map (634KB) Russian Jack Springs Park is located in Northeast Anchorage in a highly-populated and under-served area.  The park provides a variety of park and recreation services to the entire community.  Major improvements are planned for Russian Jack’s existing nine-hole, three-par golf course to make it a PGA-authorized First Tee Learning Center with grass greens, automated irrigation, a practice area, and pitch and put area.   The rebuilt 9-hole course will be a quality, ADA-accessible course designed to accommodate both a junior/senior golf learning center as well as usage by families.   The Municipality is working in partnership with First Tee, a non-profit organization associated with the PGA of America, the Tiger Woods Foundation, and other professional golf associations that provide free golf instruction for low-income kids. Other park improvements will include some forest thinning to improve public safety, relocation of picnic areas for enhanced visibility, and a children’s playground.   Planned winter recreational improvements include a sledding hill, Nordic start and finish area, a lighted multi-use trail, and a skating pond.  Pedestrian amenities, trail improvements, and signage are also planned. The total project cost is $3,250,000, with $1,500,000 requested through this state grant, $250,000 from local park bond funds, and $1,500,000 from the Anchorage Park Foundation.   First Tee currently is providing free golf course architectural planning and design services with a cash value of $120,000. Ruth Arcand Equestrian Center & Park  (Full Brochure 2.35MB)   Map (148KB) The William Chamberlin Equestrian Center in Ruth Arcand Park was developed in the early 1980’s and hosts a wide variety of equestrian related activities as well as community recreation events. The facilities are in need of a new master plan to address growing public use and increased residential demands in the area as well as the needs of the aging facility. Specific health and safety upgrades include an ADA-accessible learning center and a large animal composting facility. The existing trail system will be expanded and upgraded to meet public safety as well as water quality issues including bridge repairs, trail hardening and storm water management. The construction of the ADA-accessible learning center will allow for year-round therapeutic riding experiences for disabled youth and adults. The large animal composting facility will serve the needs of the greater Anchorage area and improve public health and safety and protect local water supply. In addition public improvements will include expanded picnic and play areas, development of community gardens, and trail access to surrounding neighborhoods. This project is supported by the Rainbow Connection and equestrian groups who have matching grants for federal funds to assist with the development of these projects. The first phase will be to update the Master Plan and expand public use of the park. The initial project cost is estimated at $1,600,000 with $1,100,000 from a state grant and $500,000 from private donations raised through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Section 36 Park  (Full Brochure 3MB)   Map (680KB) Section 36 is located in the Southeast Park District which has the largest concentration of natural use areas and the lowest amount of developed parks in the Anchorage Bowl.  The population growth expected in the next fifteen years will have an impact on the level of parks and recreation services that will be needed to meet future demands.  Section 36 is currently held in the Municipal Heritage Land Bank and existing bond money will be used to complete a master plan for 600 acre park.  Section 36 will be transferred to Parks and Recreation when the master plan is complete and when funds are identified for maintenance and management if the park.  The State funds requested will be used to implement improvement projects identified within the Section 36 Master Plan. Total initial project cost is estimated at $1,200,000, with $1,000,000 requested as a state grant and $200,000 to come from the Anchorage Park Foundation. Skate Parks Repairs & Upgrades  (Full Brochure 2.57MB)   Pics (270KB) Anchorage is currently lacking the facilities to accommodate the recreational needs of its growing skateboard and BMX bike rider populations. Based on survey information collected from the skateboard and BMX communities in the summer of 2006 by Parks & Recreation staff, the average rating of skateboard/BMX parks within Anchorage is 2.5 out of 10. The survey data collected also indicated that skateboarders and BMX riders must travel on average about 2 to 5 miles to recreate at a skateboard/BMX park. Skatepark websites have also rated Anchorage skateparks similarly low citing poor ramp conditions and lack of places to recreate. The Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department is currently leading a planning process to develop a 10,000+ square foot modular ramp skateboard and BMX facility at the Spenard Recreation Center. As a part of this process, we are creating a Skate Park Leadership Advisory Team (SPLAT) to create community involvement of the user groups.  The Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department wishes to provide a legal and safe place for the growing number of skateboarders and BMX riders in our community to recreate. These sites should be easily and safely accessible. In addition to the planned facility at Spenard Recreation Center, there currently exists a small modular skateboard/BMX park in South Anchorage and a collection of ramps in a hockey rink in Midtown. Requested project funds would be used to create satellite “skate spots” (smaller skateparks) throughout the Municipality to provide legal and accessible places to skate/ride.  The Northeast Park District (adjacent to the proposed Muldoon Community Center) is one supported venue.  Funds would also be used to construct a competition-venue skateboard/BMX facility located in a central part of town on a bus route and with the ability to stage events with a larger spectator crowd. The total funding request for this project is for $1,500,000, with $750,000 requested as a state grant, $100,000 from the GO bond and $650,000 to come from the Anchorage Park Foundation. South Anchorage Sports Park  (Full Brochure 2.36MB) Map (168KB) South Anchorage Sports Park serves as a major athletic sports complex for all of Anchorage with Little League fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, and related public park amenities. Funding would be used to complete the American Legion Major League Stadium and baseball field, complete the Little League fields, and provide upgrades to existing soccer fields.  Specific items to be developed include automatic irrigation for fields, potable water, electricity, landscaping, and paved parking. Work will also include completion of picnic areas and pavilion, trails, and signage.  The project will contribute to the health and safety of the community by improving the turf fields and allowing increased participation in youth and adult sports. The park serves over 50,000 youth and another 25,000 adults annually in a variety of athletic leagues and activities Taku Lake Park  (Full Brochure 2.70MB)   Map (513KB) Taku Lake Park provides a wide range of recreation opportunities including a skateboard park, a major trailhead for the Campbell Creek Trail and one of Anchorage’s most popular lakes for fishing.  Requested funds would be combined with funds from the Anchorage Park Foundation to improve safety and security at the park including the parking lots and play areas.  Funds would also be used to provide or upgrade park amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, signage, fencing, and trail connections.  Lake and stream bank improvements will include water quality protection measures. Total park improvement project cost is $200,000, with $100,000 funded through this state request and $100,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Town Square Park    (Full Brochure 5.81MB)  Map (292KB) Town Square Park is Anchorage’s primary public plaza and the heart of Downtown Anchorage. It provides venues for summer flowers enjoyed by tourist and residents, music in the park, civic events and festivals, winter ice skating -- all of which promote tourism, civic pride and economic development for related downtown businesses. The upgrades planned for Town Square Park will enhance the park for public events and improve visibility and connectivity to surrounding business and public areas including the Performing Arts Center and the Egan Center.  Improvements for the park include a permanent summer reflecting pond/winter ice skating rink, improved lighting, enhanced visibility from 6th avenue, information kiosk, outdoor seating areas, outdoor vendor utilities, repair or replacement of the brick walkways, installation of an irrigation system, signage, and connectivity to both E Street Corridor and F Street to the Convention Center. Total initial project cost is estimated at $2,750,000, with $500,000 requested as a state grant, $250,000 to come from local park bond funds, and $2,000,000 to come from the Anchorage Park Foundation. The park has over 1 million visits each year from tourists to local residents. University Lake Park  (Full Brochure 2.43MB)   Map (235KB) Situated between Alaska Pacific University and the Alaska Native Medical Center in the U-Med District, University Lake Park is a popular recreational respite.  The park is heavily used by students, employees and patients of adjacent universities, office buildings and hospitals.  In addition, the park is a favorite for off-leash dog walkers as one of the Municipality’s designated off-leash-dog areas.      The park faces the challenge of serving diverse user groups and has not had facility upgrades to keep pace with demand.  State funds would supplement the Anchorage Park Foundation contributions to address key needs, including parking, amenities for off-leash-dogs, and lake and stream protection.  Initial improvements include safety and security upgrades, stabilization and revegetation of the lake and stream banks, upgrades to park trails, and amenity upgrades including benches and trash receptacles, fencing, signage, water access, and landscaping. Total park improvement project cost is $1,400,000, with $1,200,000 funded through this state request and $200,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Valley of the Moon Park (Full Brochure 2.96MB) Valley of the Moon Park is one of Anchorage’s most popular and well used recreation areas. Located close to Downtown, the park offers picnic and play areas including the city’s tallest play structure as well as open field space for neighborhood football and soccer games. The park is also a part of the Chester Creek Greenbelt and offers trail users a respite from their athletic activities on the trail. Due to its ideal location, the park also draws a very culturally diverse user group that represents the many nationalities that inhabit the Anchorage Bowl. Unfortunately, the popularity and extensive use of the park has left visible signs on the park infrastructure. The park has developed the need for safety upgrades for play equipment, upgraded turf areas including irrigation, stabilized and enhanced stream bank areas for habitat protection, and to provide improved signage, park amenities and landscaping. Requested state funds would be supplemented by a municipal park bond and private funds donated through the Anchorage Park Foundation. Total park improvement project cost is $850,000, with $500,000 funded through this state request, $250,000 municipal bond and $100,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Winter Recreation & Sports Legacy Project  (Full Brochure 2.44MB)   Pics (270KB) Anchorage is taking steps to embrace its potential as one of the nation’s foremost winter recreation and sports cities.  Past projects – from hockey stadiums to the Coastal trail – already make Anchorage a great place to live and visit in winter.  Our mountains, snow, trails and gifted athletes combine to give Southcentral Alaska a growing international reputation as a winter Mecca.  And while few wish summer was shorter, Anchorage residents clearly relish winter life.  Examples include hugely popular ice hockey, alpine skiing and Junior Nordic programs, including the donation-fueled Trails Pin program which largely funds the Nordic Ski Association’s trail grooming program.  Snowmachining, ice skating, dog mushing, skijoring, curling and speed skating are all widely popular activities, for participants and spectators.   Winter sports and recreation activities and events create at least $200,000,000 in annual local spending. While current facilities and programs provide a great base, much needs to be done for Anchorage to reach its full winter potential.  The 2005 MOA Winter Recreation and Sports study examined the need for improved winter sport and recreation facilities.  Major goals include:  1. Continued expansion of winter recreation opportunities for Anchorage residents (for fun, for health); 2. Expanded winter national & international tourism; 3. More winter events and competitions, including improved event venues; 4. Better facilities for athletes training for and competing in winter sports; better access to gear and skills for recreational users (“no child left inside!”); 5. A stronger identity for Anchorage as an internationally known winter destination. To reach these goals, this project seeks $2,300,000, with $1,250,000 funded through this state request, a $1,000,000 federal request and $50,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation.  Project priorities are listed below: Improved Winter Chalets & Warming Huts – This project would develop and/or upgrade a system of modest buildings in major parks.These structures would serve as warming huts, gear rental & training centers, maintenance facilities and concession stands.These improvements would help support new and improved events and help make winter more inviting and enjoyable for a wider spectrum of residents.Priorities included new and/or upgraded facilities at Westchester Lagoon, on the Hillside, Goose Lake, Russian Jack, Far North Bicentennial Park, Delaney Park, Cheney Lake & Jewel Lake. Winter Connectivity – Anchorage has a good trail system that could be much better.Priorities for improvement include improved Chugach State Park access, better links between schools and neighborhoods, and improved linkages between in-town hotels and recreation destinations.Improved trail lighting is also an important ingredient to encourage winter trail use.Priorities for trail lighting include Russian Jack Springs Park to Goose Lake Park, Goose Lake Park to UAA, and Russian Jack Springs Park to Tudor Road via the Chester Creek Multi-Use connector. Fairview Recreation Center    (Full Brochure 2.56MB) The Fairview Recreation Center serves northwest Anchorage in a high density population area that is underserved by other facilities. The building is over 25 years old and has had considerable repairs to major structural components over the past few years such as a new roof installed in 2005. A 2006 state grant is being used to evaluate the building for health and safety, and reflect changes in recreation uses over the past two decades.  The effort will also develop a long term capital improvement program and design to upgrade the building and services to the community. Funding will be used to implement the identified capital improvement design. The total state request is for $3,000,000. Goose Lake Park  (Full Brochure 2.47MB)   Pics (268KB) Goose Lake Park provides a wide range of recreation opportunities including one of Anchorage’s most popular lakes for summer swimming.  Requested funds would be combined with funds from the Anchorage Park Foundation and municipal park bonds to primarily replace the ‘Boathouse’ with a new facility that reflects the character of Anchorage’s beloved community park.  The facility would be designed with restrooms, showers, café, storage and life guard station.    Other plan elements would be to improve safety and security at the park, including the beach and lifeguard areas, parking lot, and play areas.  Funds would also be used to provide or upgrade items such as benches, waste receptacles, signage, fencing, and trail connections.  Beach and bank improvements will include water quality protection measures. Total park improvement project cost is $4,000,000, with $3,250,000 funded through this state request, $500,000 from municipal park bond and $250,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Russian Jack Greenhouse & Chalet  (Full Brochure 2.56MB) The Russian Jack Park Greenhouse is the facility behind the magic of the annual flower display in Anchorage every year.  The existing 1-1/2 acre greenhouse complex, including a public area and nursery is in need of new roofs and other improvements to continue operations. The Lidia Selkregg Chalet in Russian Jack Springs Park is the Northeast Park District headquarters and serves the public with needed amenities for meeting spaces, gatherings and sports events.  The facility is in need of major maintenance to maintain/upgrade the chalet.  Funds will be used to evaluate the building from a health and safety aspect as well as used to plan for the next phase of construction for this facility.  Funds are also planned to be used to provide life safety upgrades and improve/ replace recreation equipment.  Total park improvement project cost is $500,000, with $50,000 funded through this state request, $200,000 from municipal park bond and $250,000 to be raised by the Anchorage Park Foundation. Swimming Pools Facility Upgrades    (Full Brochure 2.56MB) Anchorage Parks and Recreation request funding to repair and upgrade its community swimming pools. The indoor pools are utilized year round by Anchorage families for water safety classes, recreational and fitness activities.    All five swimming pools are 20 years or older and are in need of immediate repair and upgrade of their mechanical, electrical and ventilation systems.  Depending upon the facility, additional repairs may include painting the natatorium, replacing the roof and pool hull, replacing deck or pool tiles, upgrading electrical panels and wiring. Total park improvement project cost is $4,000,000. Natural Resource Area Greenbelt Trails  (Full Brochure 7.91MB)   Map (198 KB) Trails provide non-motorized links between residential areas, parks and schools, close-to-home recreation, and a sense of community.  They increase economic development potential and contribute to a healthy community, protect water quality and fish habitat and provide wildlife movement corridors.  Anchorage enjoys several premiere Greenbelt trails – Chester Creek Trail, Campbell Creek Trail, Coastal Trail and Ship Creek Trail – that are highly appreciate, prized and utilized community asset.  Residents can enjoy wildlife, spawning salmon and natural habitat that is becoming scarcer within city limits along all of these trail systems.    The Greenbelt trails in turn provide residents a multitude of benefits like clean air, clean water, flood control, wildlife habitat and healthy recreational opportunities. The recently adopted Anchorage Bowl Park, Natural Resource, and Recreation Facility Plan outlines strategies for existing trail improvements.  The most important strategy identified is ‘to continue to upgrade existing Areawide trails through systematic repairs and rehabilitation.’  The Municipality has over 250 miles of trail and there are recent indications that there is failing infrastructure.  Trails are flooding at major road underpasses, trails are eroding along the coastline and rivers, trail pavement is cracking and suffers from root damage and bridges have not had adequate structural review.   Funds from this grant would be used to implement a comprehensive repair program to address serious safety and security concerns.  The plan elements will include the rehabilitation/replacement of existing trails and bridges.  The total park improvement project cost is $2,000,000. Ship Creek Trail  (Full Brochure 2.48MB)   Map (293KB) Funds would be used to plan and design the last phase of Ship Creek Trail to connect to the Coastal Trail through Ship Creek Point. Requested state funds would be supplemented by the federal request of $2,880,000. Total trail improvement project cost is $3,200,000. Questions??

632 W. 6th Avenue   Anchorage, Alaska  99501
PO Box 196650 Anchorage, Alaska  99519
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