Money approved for trailhead enhancement

November 27, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

PALMER - The snow has started to fly and that means snowmachine season. It also means trucks and trailers parked along the Parks Highway in the Trapper Creek and Petersville areas will be posing a hazard to other vehicles traveling on the Parks Highway.

Recognizing this, the Mat-Su Borough Assembly unanimously approved the use of $65,062 in grant money from the Alaska Department of Natural Resources to enhance three trailheads for winter and summer activities.

The assembly authorized accepting and spending a grant for $16,355 to construct a parking area at the east-west express trailhead.

&#8220It will make things a lot safer for both motorists and the snowmachine riders,” Ron Swanson, borough community development director, said.

Assembly members also accepted a $12,176 grant to build a new parking area and extend roads at Talkeetna Lakes Park.

&#8220The area around the intersection of Comsat and Spur Roads, where the work will be done, is popular for skiers in the winter,” Swanson said. &#8220Right now, turning around near the trailhead is difficult in the winter. These funds will help create a turn-around.”

The final grant for $36,531 for work on the Gold Mint Trail and the Independence Mine-Gold Cord Lake Trail will be added to the $130,869 already accepted by the assembly.

&#8220The project in Hatcher Pass is a joint effort with the state,” Swanson said.

Winter recreation enthusiasts will have to wait until next year to enjoy the improvements, as work on each project is set to begin in the spring.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.