Reports from the Trail

April 2004

 April 28th"The hill going downhill to the Woronzof parking lot has alot of roots growing under the asphalt in a very dangerous spot on the trail. The roots can take a bike tire off the rim and a roller blader has no options. When you get the bottom of the hill it makes a rather sharp left hand turn and if you have gotten out of control on the roots you could be seriously injured. It has been a problem for a long time. Please look into repair. Thanx"

 "Fellow trail watchers and ambassadors: I did my rounds in the southside of town with my three dogs throughout winter. The southside route includes: horse trail paralleling Whispering Spruce, Birch Rd. Park; bike trail along Birch Rd., and athletes' trail around Forsyth Park on Birch Rd. I am happy to report that I did not witness any serious events or incidents along that route. A continual nuissance is the discarting of condoms and other trash in the parking lots (but I'm not writing a report every time I find one). Several times teenagers parked their cars during day time hours (noon-late afternoon) in the parking lots to have sex. I find this behavior rather worrisome considering that both parks are also frequented by little children. As part of the annual Spring clean-up campaign, my husband and I have planned to "scoop the poop" around the athelets' trail in Forsyth park and in Birch Park around the children playground. Here is to a happy and safe summer!

 "4/28/04 - 6:15am-6:45am - LynAry Park (mi.1) to Weschester Lagoon (mi. 0) and return - 40 degrees with 15 mph wind - daylight at this time - 1/2 dozen trail users - trail completely clear of snow even in tunnels - open water on edges of Westchester Lagoon "

 April 26th "4/26/04 - 6:15am-6:45am - LynAry Park (mi.1) to Westchester Lagoon (mi. 0) and back - 38 degrees - many trail users riding bikes, walking (some with dogs), and running; trail is dry with some dirt paths showing on the side of the blacktop, a patch of ice still in NW tunnel, standing water on the edge of the lagoon, many birds can be heard, and light enough to see Pt. McKenzie clearly.  "4-26-04, 7:20-35 a.m., Lyn Ary Park to 2d Ave, a little ice left in the Lagoon tunnel toward Kincaid."

 April 26th "Trail Ride 25 April...Surface on Campbell Creek Trail between Dimond and Dowling has developed serious longitudinal cracks up tp two inches wide. Many of these are clearly dangersous to bikers and skaters.Super new graffitti on the underpass on C street. Signs non exsistant beween Dimond and Taku Lake."

 April 21 The three trash cans on the 15th Avenue/L Street spur to the Chester Creek trail are overflowing.""

 "4/21/04 - 6:15a-6:45a - Coastal Trail from LynAry Park to Westchester Lagoon and return - 1/2 dozen trail users -THE TRAIL IS CLEAR OF SNOW down to the asphalt, there are even cleared sections of dirt on the side of the trail for softer running, there was a little snow in the tunnels.

 April 19 On a walk Monday (April 19) over the noon hour my friend and I cleaned up a drinking party in the park off Ingra at the bottom of the hill across from the Baptist church - two twelve pack boxes (bought at Carr's Gambell at about 6:30 on Saturday night, according to the sales receipt. There were also several paint ball canisters. We also found a medical type wrist band with the following information: "Pediatric Caregiver, 17-21-38, Don't know if he was at the party, but his wrist band was. I just know I wouldn't want him giving care to any kids I know!

 "4/17/04: Dust off those Huffys, gang, it's bike riding season. Well, mountain bike season anyway. Rode Chester Creek Trail from first Northern Lights bridge to Westchester and back and only hit two small patches of snow with the exception of the tunnels. The worst is a 50 yard stretch between Gambell and Lake Otis. I started out on Coastal Trail, and while it was mostly clear, it was icy at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Russian Jack trails still covered with snow, so don't start until that first bridge over Northern Lights. The secret's out, too, because I must have seen a dozen riders in an hour and a half ride."

 "4/14/04 - 6am-7am - Coastal Trail-Weschester Lagoon to Earthquake Park - 34 degrees - 2 trail users were walking their dogs and 1 runner - uneven trail bc of footprints in the soft snow made it difficult to not look at the ground while using the trail. Wonderful shore birds singing and geese honking.

 "4/12/04 - 6 am- 6:30 am - Coastal Trail- Weschester Lagoon (mi.0) to LynAry Park (mi. 1) and back - majority of trail users were dog owners - uneven footing with footprints punched in the snow from a couple inches to one foot, it is difficult to run, walk, and ride a bike now bc of soft snow. The only hard, packed snow was on the north side of the wooden fence west of the NorthWest tunnel.

 (Off the record, you might suggest that the city plow or snowblow the coastal trail on one of these warm days so that people can enjoy the trail earlier this year. Otherwise, if we wait for the compressed 2 feet of snow to melt on its own, the snow won't be gone until the middle of May. Thanks.)"

 "4/7/04 - 6am to 7am - Weschester Lagoon to Earthquake Park -34 degrees - large moon, ducks flying overhead, moose on trail on West side of NW tunnel coming out of lagoon, soft, hard-packed snow that would be difficult on which to ride bike, good walking, skiing, and running. "

 "4/5/04 - 6:45am to 7:15am (daylight)- Coastal Trail mi.0 at Weschester Lagoon to mi. 1 just before LynAry Park - 33 degrees - saw 2 runners - hard packed trail good for running, skiing, walking, and cycling."