Alaska State News
What does it take to get Alaskans outside year round?
Most Alaskans will tell you that they don’t let the weather stop them from enjoying the outdoors year around! Here’s the latest on a new lighted trail in the Government Peak Recreation Area!
PALMER, Alaska – (Excerpted from a recent news story by KTVA Channel 11′s Shannon Ballard).
A popular Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s (MatSu) valley park will soon be seen in a whole new light. The Government Peak Recreation Area near Hatcher Pass will see its first lighted trail system this winter!
40-foot-long pre-rigged light poles were placed by Yukon Electric crews during the week of June 13th, along the MatSu’s Government Peak trails. The pre-rigged poles provide for a rigging attachment that connects to a helicopter for transport. This allows the poles to be lifted safely, and installed into predrilled holes along the trail.
The $600,000 project will light three-and-a-half miles of ski trails with 102 LED light poles, stated project manager Mike Campfield. The Mat-Su Valley Ski Club, and Rasmuson Foundation added to the funding pot, with 2/3rds of the funding provided by the Mat-Su Health Foundation.
“….the Mat-Su Health Foundation…is trying to promote people getting outside in the winter when you usually just sit around and watch TV,” stated Campfield.
The Government Peak project is lighting the way to a healthy and more active MatSu Valley community. Brightly lit trails will allow folks to enjoy the Government Peak area, despite those dark and gloomy winter nights. Timers will turn lights on depending on natural light, turning them off automatically at 9 p.m. The LEDs will cost the MatSu Borough about $2,000 per year to operate.
“We’re doing work that we’ve never done before, and that’s the most exciting part of this, …we are being able to do something brand new,” exclaimed Sean Nelson, owner of Yukon Electric.
As professional planners we have the ability to influence the quality of life in our communities through best planning practices. Providing for an exceptional outdoor experience is one of the things that can translate into many community benefits. This includes supporting healthy lifestyles, using nature as an outdoor classroom, and formulating a coalition for positive action! Congrats this week, to the MatSu Borough and its lucky residents! Kristine Bunnell, Municipality of Anchorage.