Mountain-encircled ‘ice rink' provides backdrop for winter gathering

January 27, 2006

DAWN DE BUSK/Frontiersman reporter

PALMER HAY FLATS - A Valley-based conservation organization aims to share one of its favorite bodies of water - Reflections Lake - with residents of the Valley by holding a Family Fun Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the lake, which is located along the Knik River access road at Mile 30.5 Glenn Highway.

As temperatures slid below zero on Thursday, volunteers from Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats cleared an ice-skating spot on Reflections Lake, a once-unnamed lake surrounded by mountain ranges and the open space of Southcentral wetlands and river basins.

&#8220One of the members owns an ATV with a little blade on it. So, he'll plow the snow. We'll bring our snow shovels and fine-tune it by hand,” Kris Abshire, who heads Alaskans for the Palmer Hay Flats, said Tuesday.

&#8220It would really be great if we had a hot-mopper to make it really clear and smooth for the ice-skaters. We'll just pretend like the newfangled inventions don't exist. In the old-fashioned days of Currier and Ives, there weren't any hot-moppers,” she said.

For those residents who don't own nonmotorized winter recreational equipment, Saturday's event will include free use of snowshoes, skis and skates, Abshire said.

There will be burn barrels and a groomed trail around Reflections Lake for wintertime exploration in the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge.

In November, Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats received the OK from the Alaska Historical Commission to christen the unnamed body of water Reflections Lake. The commission had denied the group's request in August, but AFPH appealed and won.

&#8220The Fish and Game is really excited about the fact that there are groups of citizens like Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats who've taken an interest in the refuge. It helps with our decreasing budget and small staff,” John Hechtel, regional refuge manager for Alaska Department of Fish and Game said.

As the Valley population grows, this spectacularly scenic spot with views of mountains and water and occasional wildlife is located close enough to Wasilla and Palmer's major populace, but also easily accessible from Anchorage and Eagle River, and could become a site for more coordinated recreational events.

&#8220It's only going to become more popular over time. It's been a traditional problem from a land management point of view because of the dumping of trash and illegal shooting. We hope to be turning it around and seeing a lot more legitimate uses. We want to increase the recreational opportunities for the general public and keep it safe,” Hechtel said.

The federal Bureau of Land Management cleaned up the area two years ago, fenced off easy road access, and turned over the land to the state, according to Joe Meehan, Fish and Game's program coordinator for lands and refuge programs.

Meehan said illegal activities have dropped off dramatically since then.

&#8220We'd like to develop it so it's more friendly so people can ice skate, ski and snowshoe there. If we could stock the lake, people could ice fish. We'd like to build a little bridge so people can walk around the lake during the summer, with boardwalks with interpretive panels and bathrooms. We'd make it a rest stop place along the Glenn Highway, with facilities available for people launching boats into Knik River. That's an ideal situation,” he said.

Lack of state funding prohibits building and maintenance of such facilities, but Fish and Game can apply for federal grants to bring to fruition some of the recreational improvements, Meehan said.

Abshire sent out flyers around the Valley, reminding people to bring a lunch to supplement the marshmallow roast as well as packing their favorite outdoor chairs, extra blankets and warm layers.

&#8220It's cold and some people may only want to stay for an hour or so,” Abshire said.

However, burn barrels will be set up to provide some exterior heat while hot cocoa could warm people's insides.

Besides hitting the outdoor ice rink, residents can take in some scenery by strapping on snowshoes or skis and touring the circumference of Reflections Lake.

REI will offer free use of rental skis and snowshoes, Abshire said.

&#8220I think what we'll do now is push for an annual event. We haven't planned as far as taking over and maintaining it. But It would be fun way to take it. We need to attract more people to go to there to enjoy it,” Mat-Su Borough Recreation and Library Services Manager Linda Brenner said.

The borough has helped Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats round up ice skates for people to use as well as providing picnic tables and burn barrels for Saturday's event, Brenner said.

Also, if there's a significant amount of snow, parks maintenance crews will groom a track around Reflections Lake.

&#8220Hopefully, it'll warm up. It's pretty chilly out there,” Brenner said.

Contact Dawn De Busk at

352-2252 or dawn.debusk@

frontiersman.com.