Willow Trails Committee
Mission Statement: To provide safe and enjoyable recreational trails for Willow residents and visitors.
Goals:
- Identify historic and currently used trails.
- Obtain public use easements for recreational trails and trailheads.
- Maintain trails for safe and enjoyable use while protecting the natural resources.
- Provide information to the public on trail safety and etiquette.
- Provide a forum for trail related issues.
Trail News
The Willow Trail Committee and the Willow Health Organization have partnered together for the Willow Community Summer Trails Project. This project will develop safe and accessible trails for walking, running, biking, horse and ATV riding, connecting neighborhoods and businesses, public and medical facilities, senior centers, parks and greenbelt areas. The first step is to develop a master plan. The project has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation and $5,000 from WACO. We also have been awarded consultation from the NPS, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.
This past month the Willow Summer Trails Subcommittee has hired The Boutet Company to develop the Willow Summer Trails Master Plan. They will be taking public comments and doing field research this summer to find what kind of trails people would use, what trails presently exist and what trails could be developed. This fall, The Boutet Company will present an Alternatives Document that will include possible trail types and locations. After more public comment, they will present the Draft Plan and finally the Master Plan itself by early 2011.
If you are interested in being part of this project, please contact Nina at 495-1112 or Steve, 495-6368.
Also at the March meeting, the committee decided to recognize trail volunteers by awarding a gift certificates to Chris Razink, Vic Stanculescu, Gary McKellar, Mike Frahm, Pat Daniels and Bob Hutchinson.
Good work, gentlemen!
The WTC is just finishing up the winter trail grooming and maintenance of the West Gateway Trail System. The budget was near $17,000 from the State Grooming Pool. This funding source is from snowmachine registration fees.
If you would like to be placed on the WTC email list or have questions, call 495–6368. The Willow Trail Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7pm at the Willow Community Center.
Winter Trail Conditions
Willow Dog Mushers collect our reports, and those of others, and publish a summary of trail conditions.
Willow Area Trail Plan
The June 2006 edition is available both as a downloadable PDF and as
text indexed by section.
Hatcher Pass Management Plan Revision
Our response (Aug 2009) to the above with respect to the Willow side of the Pass
can be found here.
Trail History
We hope to document early uses of our various trails, both for their historical
value and to preserve precedence.
Summer Trails Master Plan
Trail Links
A nice Frontiersman article can be found here for those who may have missed it (Sep 12, 2006) (reprinted in the News-Minor and the Juneau Empire).
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Recreational Trails Project Facts can be found here.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Trail Guide and Trail Conditions page can be found here.
Alaska recreational trails, state grants and trail resources can be found here.
Big Lake Trails, Inc’s web site has information about activities and projects, rides and events. Additionally, members can download trail data (GPS, Maps, GoogleEarth trip planning etc).
Mid Valley Trail Club (Susitna Landing) have maps (for download) of Trapper Lake
area trails on their web site http://www.mvtrailclub.org
Willow Trails Committee
Steve Charles, Chair
Phone: 6368 Email: trails@waco-ak.org
Meets: 3rd Wednesday/Month, WCC, 7PM
