Project Overview
Anchorage Parks and Recreation is planning to upgrade the playground equipment and sports courts at Nunaka Valley North Park! The park includes a playground for ages 2 -12, a basketball court, tennis courts, and volleyball sand court. The play area was last upgraded in 2012, with some of the play equipment dating back to 1994. The playground has been identified as needing upgrades to meet current levels of safety and to allow play opportunities for a greater range of abilities.
Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that is enjoyable for a wide range of individuals. In response to requests for new pickle ball facilities, Anchorage Parks and Recreation prepared an analysis of parks and their potential for added pickleball facilities. Nunaka Valley North was identified as an excellent candidate for pickleball court striping to be added to existing tennis courts. This park has three tennis courts that are infrequently permitted and are within walking distance of many homes. Parks and Recreation is proposing to add pickleball striping to two of the three tennis courts at Nunaka Valley North.
Playground Equipment Survey
Parks and Recreation surveyed the community on preferred play equipment to replace the old wooden structure while keeping the swings and the climber. Four playground concepts were reviewed, and the final recommendation balances community input and budget considerations.
Playground designs:
Timeline
2024:
- Land survey of playground area
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Public outreach
- Online survey for feedback on playground concepts, announced at November Northeast Community Council meeting
2025:
- Public outreach
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Survey results presented at January Northeast Community Council meeting
- Northeast Community Council Resolution of Support - To be considered for approval at February 20, 2025 meeting
- Public meeting at
Parks and Recreation Commission - March 13, 2025
- Site design and engineering
- Procurement of new playground equipment - shipping date estimated for Fall 2025
- Paint pickleball lines on tennis courts, with volunteers from local pickleball organization
2026:
- Installation of new playground equipment and safety surfacing
Funding
The funding for Nunaka Valley North Park Improvements comes from voter-approved bonds for playground development, for Nunaka Valley Park Improvements, and a 2023 State legislative grant to Senate District K.
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2023: State of Alaska Legislative Grant for $30,000
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2024: Voter-approved Municipal Park Bond for Inclusive Playground Development for $200,000
- 2025: Voter-approved Municipal Park Bond for Nunaka Valley Park Improvements for $300,000