Thanks for help with Wasilla’s new comprehensive plan

To the editor:

As the summer approaches one need not look far in Wasilla to see what our city offers its residents and visitors. We will have road construction as always, but that is a sign of our growth and need to improve and expand our infrastructure.

How many of you have had a chance to visit Iditapark, Wasilla Lake Newcomb Park, Carter or Nunley Park? They are jewels within our city boundaries where families spend many hours enjoying our lakes and amenities.

I point out a few of the things that make Wasilla unique and that guide us as city officials to how and where the city should map out its future. After many years of work from previous and present administrations, city council members, planning commissioners and parks and recreation commissioners, the city of Wasilla’s comprehensive plan has come to completion. The last time this plan was fully updated was in 1996. It is important to know that we as residents and policymakers strive to listen and learn from our residents regarding Wasilla’s unprecedented growth and how to match our goals with what you, the residents, desire in our community.

The new comprehensive plan outlines what brands the city in its identity. For example, are we still considered the home of the Iditarod? In 1996, the comprehensive plan stated so and went into great detail to highlight this and work on using it as an economic tie to our city’s growth. Now, 15 years later we don’t see this is the case due to the fact that the Iditarod restart has moved to Willow. Wasilla had for many years been considered the “Gateway to Denali. Now, in the updated comprehensive plan, we look for ways to market Wasilla as a true destination. For example, Wasilla is nestled between two beautiful lakes that boast fishing, camping, boating and kayaking. If I were a tourist I would consider that to be a wonderful destination, wouldn’t you?

As the city’s comprehensive plan comes to completion this year, I am thankful for the many residents who had a hand in this important planning project for Wasilla. Planning for our roads and infrastructure, the economic direction for our fast growing city, quality parks and recreational facilities and respect for our city’s history were many of the components considered in the updated comprehensive plan. I invite you to review the comprehensive plan and encourage your input as Wasilla moves forward.

Colleen Sullivan-Leonard

Wasilla City Council Member

and former Planning Commissioner