Hooray for Hay Flats

MAT-SU — The Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge is more than just pretty scenery for the drive to Anchorage.

This is nothing new to members of the group Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats. But now with a physically address and its first full-time director, the group is looking to step up efforts to promote responsible use of this often overlooked gem.

“It’s open to hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, birding, photography,” said Randi Perlman, the group’s new executive director. “Just about any activity you can think about doing in Alaska is there, right in our backyard.”

There are three access points to the game refuge, each offering different recreation opportunities.

The first is the Cottonwood Creek access off of Hayfield Road in the Fairview Loop area. Here, there is an upper and lower parking lot. The upper has access to the Scout Ridge trail loop, a lake and an observation point. The lower lot is a favorite for fishermen and hunters during those seasons and a head for a wetlands trail.

The second access point is near the intersection of the Glenn and Parks highways off of the frontage road going south from the Trunk Road exit. In the winter, visitors can ski on Rabbit Sough, and fishing on Wasilla Creek is open in the summer with restrictions.

The third access point at Reflections Lake is reached by the Knik River Access exit off of the Glenn Highway. There is a loop around the lake, and Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats set up an interpretive sign with information about the local flora and fauna.

In addition to the sign, the group, which started in 2005, has constructed walkways over wetlands, widened trails and cleaned debris and trashed cars out of the refuge, Perlman said.

To get more people to benefit from the concrete results of its work, Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats partners with other local groups for outings in the refuge.

Every winter and summer the group hosts family fun days at Reflections Lake. Anchorage Audubon will have the first bird walk of the season in the Hay Flats on April 10, followed by a walkabout around Reflections Lake on May 15.

The group works with local elementary schools to provide opportunities for education out of the classroom, Perlman said. There is a natural plant garden created by students near the Cottonwood Creek access, and students have run ecological studies in the area.

Now, with an office as a headquarters and Perlman touting the cause, the group is redoubling its efforts to increase access and encourage stewardship.

The grand goal of the group is to build a natural science education and community center. The Mat-Su Valley does not have a facility for students and adults to learn about the natural environment like the Campbell Creek Science Center in Anchorage or the Eagle River Nature Center, Perlman said.

The plans are very preliminary, she said, but the land is there near the Cottonwood Creek access and local teachers are very interested in the idea. The big hurdle now is funding.

“We are looking at various different sources. We are gathering the community around us, and we will start going after grants,” Perlman said.

Perlman said people are already stopping by the office at 2901 E. Bogard Rd., where they can find information about the Hay Flats, the various awards the group has won and, of course, make a donation.

“This is kind of our coming out. We have been a kitchen table group for the first five years. … Now, we’re taking it to the next step,” Perlman said.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.