Anchorage voters in April 2020 approved a $3.95 million bond package to improve and upgrade existing parks in Anchorage. The bond package may feel familiar to Anchorage voters; the municipality has been including park bond packages on the spring ballot each year for the past several years. In this year’s package, skateparks and accessible playgrounds, improved park features, and rehabilitated natural resources are on the list, as are projects to resurface trails, improve signage, install lighting, and build bridges. The bond package passed last spring, so many of the projects will be out to bid in the next few months.
Find the interactive map for the 2020 Municipal Parks bond projects at https://anchorageparkfoundation.org/park-bond-story-map/.
Campbell Creek Trail Rehabilitation and Wayfinding, $600,000 – Continue trail resurfacing and implement new wayfinding and signage on portions of this 7.5 mile multi-use trail. Expected to go to bid between January and March.
Chanshtnu Muldoon Park Phase 2, $450,000 – Continuation of neighborhood-led improvements for this community park that opened in June 2018. Some work has been completed; more funding will be requested in a 2021 bond.
Chester Creek Complex Facility Safety, $200,000 – Improvements will address health and safety codes, energy-efficient lighting, and ADA access improvements. Ongoing small projects often completed by term contractors.
Elderberry Park, $250,000 – Implementation of the approved plan, including ADA access to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, renovation of the existing plaza, and a new inclusive playground at this historic neighborhood park downtown. Project expected to go out to bid in January.
Facility Safety Upgrades, $100,000 – Health, safety and ADA upgrades for multiple park assets including Fairview Recreation Center. Ongoing small projects often completed by term contractors.
Far North Bicentennial Park Trail Safety Upgrades $50,000 – Local match for $1.5 million in Federal Lands Access Program investments within Anchorage’s largest park. This larger project is contingent on additional funding and may bid in spring.
Government Hill Park and Trail Improvements, $100,000 – Implementation of neighborhood-led planning efforts for park and trail improvements in Government Hill. Community-driven project may be completed in portions by term contractors.
Inclusive Playground Equipment, $600,000 – New playgrounds and renovation of playgrounds using an inclusive play approach – including William B. Lyons Park in Mountain View. These projects will be attached to other park upgrade work.
Russian Jack Springs Park Safety and ADA, $300,000 – Improvements for safety, facilities, and other priorities identified during a community-led planning effort. This funding will be added to additional funding to update and enact a master plan. Project may be ready to bid in 2021 or 2022.
Taku Lake Park, $500,000 – New skate park, inclusive playground, lighting and other access improvements for this community use park located along the Campbell Creek Trail. This project is contingent on additional funding but may go to bid in 2021 or 2022.
Tikishla Park Improvements, $250,000 – Community-led priorities include an inclusive playground, picnic facilities, lighting and other safety improvements at this park located on the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail. Building on previous bond funding, this project will go to bid in early January or February.
University Lake Park, $250,000 – Expand the existing parking lot, provide safety improvements at the off-leash dog park, rehabilitate natural resources, improve the Iditarod trail, and other community priorities. Some of this work will be done by term contractors or as small bid projects.
Dave Rose Park, $300,0000 – Expand parking lot, install LED lighting, improve ADA access to this popular inclusive playground, picnic shelter and cricket field. Some of this work will be done by term contractors or as small bid projects.