Fun on the Flats: Event promotes awareness of local resource

Jan. 14, 2006

By Russell Stigall/ Frontiersman

PALMER - More than a hundred outdoor enthusiasts skied, snowshoed and skated around Reflections Lake during the annual Winter Family Fun Day on Saturday.

The event was sponsored by Alaskans for Palmer Hayflats Game Refuge, with support from Mat-Su Borough Parks and Recreation and REI. Parks and Rec groomed the mile-long trail that wraps around Reflections Lake and cleared the lake surface for skating. REI supplied skis and snowshoes for use at the event.

Fun Day took place at the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, Knik River access exit, Mile 30.6 of the Glenn Highway.

The purpose of the Winter Fun Day, said Kris Abshire, Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats board member, is to get the public to come out in the winter and enjoy their refuge and become familiar with their public resource.

&#8220This is an annual thing we do over at Reflections Lake,” Abshire said. &#8220This is our winter celebration.”

The turnout for the event was good, partially due to the warm weather - upper 20s and clear - and partially due to the refuge's easy access and proximity to the Valley and Anchorage.

In the fine weather, families lined their fold-out chairs along the shore of Reflections Lake.

&#8220It's like going to the beach, Alaska style,” said Marian Elliott, a board member of Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats.

The hay flats group has been together for two years. Its modest board still meets in each other's homes.

&#8220This is a true kitchen-table group,” Abshire said.

Their purpose is to bring recognition to the usefulness and beauty of the nearby refuge.

The hay flats is a bit of a mystery to most, Abshire said.

&#8220Most folks think the hay flats is what they see when they zip across the highway,” Abshire said. But there is so much more to it.

The group wants to familiarize the public with the whole game refuge, through youth education, adult education and recreational sponsored events.

&#8220All in the long-term goal of community stewardship of this habitat,” Abshire said.

Duck hunters and trappers have known about the flats for years.

&#8220But also the abusers have known about it,” Abshire said. And they have trashed the access points. They destroy the flora and pollute the land and water by shooting to pieces old appliances.

&#8220We want to replace the abusers with good stewards,” Abshire said. &#8220Hunters and birders and walkers and people who just want to smell the flowers.”

Abshire and others would get together and clean up the Reflections Lake area. &#8220Eventually, we said ‘enough is enough'” and started Alaskans for Palmer Hayflats, Abshire said.

&#8220The refuge is just a gem, a true gem,” Abshire said. &#8220And right in the middle of the biggest population center in Alaska.”

&#8220People are astounded at what is really here and how accessible it is.”

In their goal to protect the hay flats and increase awareness of the community-owned resource, the group has several projects in the works.

Members plan to build a Natural Science Education and Visitor Facility, an elevated boardwalk from Cottonwood Creek out to a nearby lake, a bridge across the slough that feeds Reflections Lake. They would like to create a program for school kids and adults to learn about the refuge's ecosystems and habitats and the Pacific flyway for migratory birds.

&#8220It all takes money,” Abshire said, &#8220but at this time we are working on the grants bids.”

They are modeling their organization after Anchorage's Campbell Creek Science Center and Creamer's Field in Fairbanks, she said. The flats could be the Valley's version of these community resources.

The group is currently working with Wasilla and Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District to put on classes for adults and children, and with groups like the Retriever Club, which gives demonstrations on how hunting dogs do their work.

The hay flats group consists of nine people on a volunteer board of directors.

&#8220We need some help,” Abshire said.

The group is looking for help with database entry to keep track of membership and project managers to handle grant applications.

For more information on Alaskans for Palmer Hayflats, interested people may call 373-7484, or e-mail alaskans@palmerhayflats.org, or visit www.PalmerHayFlats.org.

Contact Russell Stigall at 352-2267 or russell.stigall@frontiersman.com