Wildlife viewing tower going up at Reflections Lake

REFLECTIONS LAKE — Portions of the trails around Reflections Lake in the Palmer Hay Flats Game Refuge are closed until early April while a new 30-foot tall wildlife viewing tower is constructed.

Funded primarily through a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program and the Recreational Trails Program, the $244,000 project is coordinated by Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats Refuge, in partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The main entrance off the frontage road at the Knik River Access exit along the Glenn Highway is closed, but visitors may still access portions of the Reflections Lake loop trail from the secondary access site, 200 yards south of the primary access trail.

Joe Meehan, Lands and Refuges program coordinator with Fish and Game said the closures are necessary to maintain public safety and to allow contractors safe access to the site.

“The installation of this tower is the last major improvement we envision at Reflections Lake and will culminate a wonderful community effort that has transformed this site from a trash-strewn dumping and target-shooting area to one that offers family-friendly outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing,” Meehan said. “We are grateful to Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats Refuge and the community for stepping forward to make this transformation possible.”

Refuge manager Doug Hill said the tower will allow refuge visitors to view large flocks of migrating waterbirds as they move through the refuge starting in April.

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats volunteer Bill Wood has been involved in the effort for a number of years. He said portions of the trails on the north side of the loop around Reflections Lake are closed while crews complete the 17-ton steel structure.

The tower includes two levels. Stairs provide access to the top floor of the tower, which measures 30-feet, 10-inches tall. A ramp leads to a second platform 8.5-feet off the ground.

Wood said the tower faces north and west and will provide stunning sunset views of the mountains, tide flats and the sea — with or without binoculars.

He also was part of a small group of volunteers who hiked across the lake with ladders, rebar, sledges, measuring tapes and assorted paraphernalia to survey and stake the perimeter of the tower Feb. 7, 2014.

Wood said the tower is supported by a helical pile system.

Contact Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.