Update: Mayor Bryce Ward plans to ask the Assembly to postpone public comment on the Capital Improvement Program due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. See the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner story here.
Despite the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, our borough government is still trying to keep functioning. As such, the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly still has a resolution adopting the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on its March 26 special meeting agenda.
The current CIP has several Parks and Recreation projects, including several that deal with trails directly or indirectly. These include:
- Equinox Trail Extension and Completion
- Peede Trail Head and Trail Development
- Isberg Recreation Area Master Plan Implementation
- Growden Park Revitalization
- Fairbanks Lions Recreation Area (FLRA) Revitalization
- Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation Phase III
- Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation Phase V
- Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation Phase VI
- Chena Lake Area Revitalization Phase I
If you care about any or all of these projects, please speak up. Let the assembly know you that trails (and parks and rec in general) are important.
To learn more about the CIP:
- See the CIP overall page.
- See the resolution here.
- CIP spreadsheet (do a search to find all the trail-related projects)
(Endorsing projects does NOT obligate the borough to spend money on it. Rather, it helps prioritize how we spend any money we might have after the dust settles from the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and the oil price wars. Outside funding may also be used for some of these projects.)
You can participate in the meeting telephonically (see note from borough below) or contacting the assembly via email:
- http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/assembly/Pages/Assembly-Members.aspx
- assembly@fnsb.us
NOTE FROM BOROUGH
During the COVID-19 outbreak, it is allowed and encouraged for assemblymembers and the public to participate at this and future meetings telephonically. In person participation is still available while using social distancing practices, however, written comments and telephonic participation is encouraged.
For more information on how to participate telephonically visit the webpage STAY CONNECTED WITH THE ASSEMBLY or call the Borough Clerk’s Office 459-1401.
Here is the letter I just submitted to the Assembly:
Dear Assembly Members,
I encourage you to include the following projects in the Capital Improvement Program:
Equinox Trail Extension and Completion
Peede Trail Head and Trail Development
Isberg Recreation Area Master Plan Implementation
Growden Park Revitalization
Fairbanks Lions Recreation Area (FLRA) Revitalization
Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation Phase III
Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation Phase V
Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation Phase VI
Chena Lake Area Revitalization Phase I
What these projects have in common is that they directly or indirectly include trails, an incredibly important resource in our community.
Trails provide a place for people to get outside and exercise, both of which have been proven in studies to improve mental and physical health. This has been highlighted with the recent coronavirus/COVID-19 restrictions. Many people are getting out on our local trails during this stressful time as a way to stay healthy and keep their spirits up while keeping at least 6 feet away from others. (See recent entries in the Sonot Kkaazoot ski race being held “virtually” in order to maintain social distancing: https://sonotkkaazoot.org/. Scroll down to see the entries.)
Trails also add to our local economy by attracting visitors from Outside who want to experience the wild beauty of Alaska. Some come specifically for the trails while others add trails as one more activity. Local businesses benefit through guiding, renting equipment, and providing food, supplies and housing for those visitors. A good system of trails also attracts active, healthy workers to our community.
Properly built trails are very inexpensive to maintain, so investing in trails pays dividends for many years. Because people are passionate about the activities they do on trails, they are willing to volunteer their time to help maintain those trails. Many groups around Fairbanks have helped build and/or maintain our trails, including the Fairbanks Snow Travelers, the Alaska Dog Mushers Association, the Fairbanks Cycle Club, Running Club North, Arctic Offroad, the Fairbanks Area Hiking Club, and the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks. (There are more, but the list would be too long!)
While all the projects listed at the beginning of this letter are important, I especially urge you to include the top three. Those projects would help maintain or improve existing trail resources in a way that will have a major positive impact on our community.
Thank you for your service.
Eric Troyer