Experiment farm officials reminds users of greenbelt about change to trailhead

PALMER — The UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm relocated trail access to the Matanuska Greenbelt last summer due to a rash of vandalism, theft and haphazard hijinks on the farm, and is reminding users of the area of the change.

“It was safety then protection of property,” UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm Executive Director Jodie Anderson said. “We felt like this was a really good compromise so that we can still allow access but we’re preserving the areas we need to preserve.”

Instead of the traditional route through the farm, hikers, bikers and dog walkers just have to go up the hill, taking Old Trunk Road about a quarter-mile then turning on the right hand side. This new access point also comes with a brand new parking pot, courtesy of the farm.

Anderson said that all the interference on the experimental fields disrupted experiments like their nutrition studies for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. She said that she started this position last year and this was the first major issue she had to face. She said that this was the best way to keep the trail access while protecting the property and liability.

“We’re just hoping that we can keep enough people happy and UA lands happy without them yanking any of our opportunities. I think that this may have satisfied a lot of the concerned UA had,” Anderson said.

From the wandering dogs stressing animals to the latent littering and interference with farm equipment and operations, there was just too much unsavory and unsafe activity coming through the original trailhead, according to Anderson. Equipment was getting jumped on, damaged and outright stolen.

“It’s a working farm and we don’t want people to get hurt,” Anderson said.

Although it was put into effect nearly a year ago, people still show up and ask what happened typically on a weekly basis. Anderson said they’ve been active with their outreach since the decision was made to relocate, particularly with social media, providing announcements and updates.

“I think the word’s getting out,” Anderson said.

Anderson said that the vast majority of people understand why but there are some people who don’t bother to ask why, ignore the fences and hop over anyway.

“There’s the one percent who ruined it for everyone and then there’s the five percent who complained about the one percent and then there’s the 94 percent who’re just like, ‘oh okay, cool,’” Anderson said. “Most everybody is really excited about the new place and they love the new parking lot.”

The new parking lot provides a lot more elbow room than before, when trail users had to work around staff and visitors. Now there are plenty of places to park. Leashes as still required along with general trail courtesy to avoid losing access in the future.

Anderson said that she’s more familiar with the farm side of greenbelt, but she enjoys the expansive system that stretches for many miles in between the Palmer-Wasilla Highway, Glenn Highway, Parks Highway, and Trunk Road.

It’s almost like the Central Park for the Valley, often regarded as a hidden hiking gem that’s mostly easy to moderate with varying difficulties and access points to choose from. Access points include the Mat-Su College, Experiment Farm, Crevasse-Moraine (which has a sledding hill), and Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area.

The trails are easy top navigate with numerous signs to help navigate through the woodsy maze favored by horseback riders, dog walkers and fat tire bicyclers. So, even novices can find their way around.

“I’ve always felt super safe back there, and I just absolutely love the Green Belt. It’s one of my favorite places,” Anderson said.

Beverly Tallman typically walks her golden retriever twice a week, and the greenbelt is typically her destination, with the occasional Government Peak trek. She said that she was already using this spot anyway years before the parking lot was put in so she was unaffected by the change. She has a season parking pass.

“I like to support the trails,” Tallman said.

Tallman said that it’s a great place to walk dogs and meet other dog walkers who are often friendly. She shared Anderson’s sentiment of safety along the coveted Greenbelt system. She said that she took her grandchildren sledding at Crevasse-Moraine and loves the interconnected trails that feel like a wondrous, wild escape right in the middle of civilianization.

“I get my exercise, they get theirs and I feel safe. If you hike in Anchorage, I wouldn’t be on the Kincaid trails without somebody else with me. So here I can walk by myself-with the dogs,” Tallman said.

Anderson is excited for the summer because that’s when things really kick off at the farm. While the farm is now gated off, people can still take guided tours which are offered on the last Wednesday of the month. That’s in addition to all the other programs, classes and events that will happen on a regular basis, at least once a week according to Anderson.

For more information about the farm, call: 907-746-9450.

For more information about the Greenbelt system, visit: www.matanuska-greenbelt.org

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com