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By Carolyn Brodin
Special to the Turnagain Times
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The Girdwood Trails Committee would like to update the community on the proposed 17-20K Nordic/Multi-use trails system in Girdwood. This project was first presented to the community in 2006. This would be a multi- phase project beginning with a 5K trail to be located between the Winner Creek Trail and the Chugach Powder Guides cat trail (yellow loop on map). The proposed trail system would be available for public use as well as make competition possible.
The trail would accommodate both skate and classic skiers in the winter; be appropriately maintained; and have a drained, firm surface to accommodate non-motorized use in the summer. Jim Galanes, a former Nordic Olympian and coach, and now of The Boutet Company, designed the trail system, wrote the feasibility study (ftp.theboutetcompany.com:user name-public; password-access).
In order to attain adequate snow coverage, this trail will need more cleared width than is found on our existing trails. The trail tread will be 22 feet wide. This clearing could result in additional tree loss from wind and snow. However, the proposed trail system would not impact other traditional trails, such as Stumpy’s Winter Trail or Winner Creek Trail.
The new trail would be constructed on Heritage Land Bank (HLB) land. HLB, which would give the construction easement to a Girdwood entity, has allocated $50,000 for the project. Girdwood 2020 has committed $30,000. Other funding for construction costs will be by grants, donations, and fundraising. The grooming and maintenance costs are expected to be paid by contributions, user fees, race fees and fundraising.
The 2007 construction cost estimate is $180,000 for the first 5K of trail, plus $30,000 needed for final design and alignment determinations and permitting. Galanes estimates winter grooming will cost $30,000-35,000 a year. Questions about minimal lighting, parking, and a staging area for races have yet to be addressed. For safety and maintenance reasons, dogs would not be allowed on the groomed trail in the winter; however, dogs would be permitted in the summer.
Deb Essex, Girdwood resident, has volunteered to form the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club, a 501(c)(3), to receive the HLB easement and determine how best to construct, operate and maintain the proposed trail. The Trails Committee approved this action, but asked that the community be brought up to date on the project.
According to the Girdwood Area Plan 2007 survey, the community has almost as many supporters of Nordic skiing as alpine skiing (41% Nordic; 52% alpine). The Girdwood Trails Committee wishes to get an idea of how many skiers would be willing to pay a fee to support maintenance of the trail. All the existing Girdwood winter use trails would still be available for use at no cost.
They also wish to know how many residents support construction of a competition quality Nordic/Multi-use trail system, even if they might choose not to use it.
Please respond with any comments you have about this proposed new trail system.
Send your comments via email to GirdwoodTrails@gmail.com or via letter to PO Box 1154, Girdwood, AK 99587.
The Trails Committee meets the first Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center.
Come and get involved with our trails!