UPDATE, June 2024: the IALT was able to purchase the property and reopen the trail to public use. See more info HERE.
Your help is needed to restore access to a vital piece of an important Goldstream Valley trail that has been blocked since 2020.
In early February, the Interior Alaska Land Trust (IALT) announced that is has worked out a deal to purchase the property over which that trail section runs. However, the land trust needs donations to raise the money to make the purchase. See the IALT Facebook post below.
Exciting News! The Interior Alaska Land Trust (IALT) has agreed to purchase another important parcel in Goldstream Valley. This parcel contains a crucial section of the historic east-west Railroad Trail, enhancing access to the Goldstream Public Use Area to the north and protecting existing and future trail access.
A generous community member has offered to match donations up to $25,000. However, we still need to raise an additional $25,000 to ensure this parcel is protected in perpetuity for the community. Your support is essential. Please consider making a donation today to help us secure this important piece of our local greenspace. Every contribution brings us closer to our goal, thanks to our matching donor.
Thank you for your continued support. Our work is not possible without you. Visit https://interioraklandtrust.org/donate/ to make a difference now.
The IALT donation page does not have a specific place to donate to this effort, but you can add a note that explains your donation intentions. Here’s an example: “For Goldstream Valley land to protect part of Tanana Valley Railroad Trail.”
History of Trail Woes
This trail was blocked in 2020 after a new owner purchased the lot. The issue was described in a blog post on the Interior Alaska Trails website. You can see that blog post HERE.
The trail was (and is) on the Fairbanks Borough Comprehensive Recreational Trails Plan, however, that plan protects trails only if the land is subdivided. Since the lot was purchased without being subdivided, it did not have protection of the trails plan. The only option to keep it open would have been to sue in court for something called a “prescriptive easement,” but that is expensive, time consuming, and not a guaranteed win. No one was willing to do that, including the borough government.
Fortunately, a trails-friendly neighbor allowed for a reroute trail to be built and used on the lot next door. While that has been much appreciated, the reroute is not as good as the original route. Purchase of the land by the IALT will restore the trail to its original route and will give that section protection far into the future.
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