Parks and Trails
ACE's View
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View from the coastal trail |
As Anchorage continues to grow, our parks,greenbelts, trails and natural open spaces will play a more important role in the quality of life we've come to enjoy and depend on. ACE is dedicated to defending Far North Bicentennial Park, supporting the southern extension of the Coastal Trail, and implementing a citywide trails and parks dedication to ensure that these assets are a legacy for the future of the city.
With the revision of the Anchorage Park and Greenbelt Plan underway, you can be sure that ACE will continue to be a voice for the protection and creation of parks, greenbelts, trails and natural open spaces.
Current Issues
Parks Budget Survives Assembly Scrutiny
Parks and Transit are still going strong despite a major effort by the Anchorage Assembly to trim the Mayor's budget down to a shoestring. On November 27 and 29, 2007, the Anchorage Assembly passed the 2008 operating budget with multiple cuts and amendments. ACE followed these deliberations and is pleased to report that the Mayor's budget for Transit passed without scrutiny, and important Parks and Recreation programs will continue.
Highlights of the 2008 Parks and Recreation budget include: $100,000 for Youth Employment in Parks, which will be matched with a $50,000 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, and $200,000 additional funding for pools ($100,000 of that is program revenue). Although Parks and Recreation did not get the funding they desired for additional important maintenance positions, a small $6,000 Parks & Trails Legacy Fund will help meet future park maintenance and repair needs.
Thanks to ACE members for letting their representatives know the importance of one of our city's greatest assets!
Development Near Lyn Ary Park
Tonight (Thursday, 12/13) at 6pm at the Spenard Recreation Center, the Parks Commission will consider a request for encroachment into the Coastal Trial easement that would allow the petitioner to build only a few yards from the trail itself, eliminating many of the trees that buffer private land from the trail, and build a fence right up to the trail pavement.
ACE successfully prevented a similar easement encroachment on the same lot just a couple years ago. Let the Parks Commission know that you support adequate access and buffering in our trail system, and that the public's easement should be left alone.
To view the proposal and tonight's agenda, click here and scroll down to PRC-07-103.
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