William B. Lyons Park Improvements 2020
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Anchorage Parks and Recreation is currently in the planning process for improvements to William B. Lyons Park. Proposed improvements include a new playground, landscaping, and more connectivity with the adjacent Mountain View Boys and Girls Club.
HISTORY
The Municipality of Anchorage purchased this land in 1972 with bond funds and Community Development Block grants to add more parkland to the Mountain View neighborhood. The Municipality established a joint use agreement with the New Hope Baptist Church next door for use of the parking lot. The park was originally known as Mountain View Park, and the name was changed to William B. Lyons in honor of the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church. William B. Lyons is 1.86 acres and is categorized as a Special Use Area, as defined in the 2006 Park Plan.
In 1997, the Municipality and the Boys and Girls Club developed plans to build a community center. The community center is now run by the Boys and Girls Club and maintained by the Municipality's Facility Maintenance department.
The park used to have a picnic shelter and play equipment for 2-12 year olds, but Parks and Recreation removed that equipment in 2011 at the request of the Boys and Girls Club.
In 2012, Parks and Recreation worked with the Boys and Girls Club, the Anchorage Community Land Trust, the Anchorage Park Foundation, and Clark Middle School to redesign the park space. The park now features a shelter, an amphitheater, student artwork, a mural on the parking lot surface, and open play space and the park functions as a central community space for larger events. You can read more about those improvements here and here.
In April 2019, voters approved the 2019 Parks and Recreation bond which included funds to improve William B. Lyons Park.
PROJECT FUNDING
2019 Municipal Park Bond: $300,000
Anchorage Park Foundation Inclusive Play: $100,000
Land and Water Conservation Fund: $157,000
Wells Fargo: $50,000
PROJECT TIMELINE
April 2019: Park bond passed
Fall 2019 - Winter 2020: Public outreach, planning, and design for the new playground. This
project was approved by the Mountain View Community Council in February 2020
after attending the Mountain View Community Council meeting in the fall,
organizing a focus, a public workshop in December, and two Community Advisory
Group meetings. Additionally, an online survey was circulated to the
public for those who could not attend meeting in person and was factored into
the two concepts and final designs presented to the Community Advisory Group
and Mountain View Community Council.
Spring/Summer 2020: Urban Design Commission and construction of new improvements
COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP (CAG)
A group of volunteer neighbors will work with the design team to develop the playground improvement concepts. Once a preferred concept is selected, the project will be presented to the Mountain View Community Council and then the Parks & Recreation Commission for final approval. If you would like to participate, please email Park Planner Taylor Keegan at taylor.keegan@anchorageak.gov.