Note from the Executive Director

Summer is just around the corner and we are eager to share plans for the short season of volunteer work, construction, and celebration we enjoy in Anchorage parks.  We have 46 projects between Youth Employment in Parks, Challenge Grants, Neighborhood Parks, and other special projects initiated by our community.  If you aren't involved yet, give us a call. There is place for you with the Anchorage Park Foundation!
-Beth Nordlund

Youth Employment in Parks Summer #5: YEP!

More than 30 Anchorage youth will be working on park improvements and offering recreation programs this summer through the Youth Employment in Parks program. Free recreation staffed by YEP teens will happen all summer long from 1-5pm at Goose Lake Park and Davis Park.  Trail work, streambank improvements, and forest park projects will include University Lake Park, Cheney Lake, Harvard Park, Davis Park, Beaver Dam Trail in Girdwood, Far North Bicentennial Park, and Kincaid Park. Visit the YEP website or like them on Facebook to stay up to speed on this fun and hard-working program.  Please help us thank our funders early and often!

2011 Neighborhood Park Fix-Its: Revitalizing a Park Near You

The Anchorage Park Foundation focuses its work on neighborhood parks because they are the public spaces that affect you close-to-home. We strive to build stronger communities by improving shared spaces and including neighborhoods in our decision making. In summer 2011, the APF will work in partnership with the Parks & Recreation Department to attack the community-identified “Fix-Its” in 7 neighborhood parks. The calendar looks like this:

Harvard Park - May 21st
Cope Street Park - June 11th
Carlson Park - June 18th
Ira Walker Park - June 25th
Little Dipper Park - July 9th
William B. Lyons Park - July 16th
Sand Lake Park - July 23rd

We are working with Community Council committees to prioritize the fix-its to ensure that funds will be used to meet community needs, like replacing dilapidated benches, trash cans, park signs and playground equipment; removing graffiti; restoring landscaped areas; and improving park safety. We will make these fixes with generous support from the Rasmuson Foundation, the Alaska State Legislature and volunteers like you.

How You Can Get Involved

In 2010, over 1,600 volunteers contributed more than 7,000 hours of service to Anchorage parks. Join us to make a difference in our community! There are multiple opportunities to volunteer in 2011, and everyone is invited to join in! To get involved in volunteer fix-its, or to learn more about your neighborhood parks, please contact Park Planner Suzanne Little at LittleSR@muni.org or 343-4586.

2010 Challenge Grants Plan a Summer of Action

From trails and community gardens to skateboard ramps and tennis courts, our 2010 Challenge Grantees are in action implementing over 17 projects that began as part of our 2010 Challenge Grant initiative. Check out our 2010 Challenge Grants page to see the exciting projects happening this summer!

Parks for All

In September 2011, APF plans to build the only playground in Alaska with play surfaces that are 100% accessible to children with disabilities. Cuddy Family Midtown Park needs a playground that is fun for all children, and we are on the case! This project will be a community-build, and we are looking for significant volunteer support even as we raise the final $115,000 for a $515,000 project budget.  Please thank a major donor today, and consider how you may want to help. Read more...

Clark Middle School Students Design William B. Lyons Park Improvements

On May 3, 2011, ADN photographer and blogger Marc Lester accompanied 7th and 8th graders at Clark Middle School to preview the designs for park improvements developed by the students. Read more...

Parks & Recreation Employees Recieve Honors from Mayor Sullivan

Suzanne Little, Senior Parks Planner and Ted Johnson, Parks Maintenance Supervisor recieve honorable Employee of the Year awards for their oustanding public serivce. Read more.

Live.Work.Play.

We are working with the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation to make Anchorage the #1 city in America to live, work and play by 2025. We need your help: Please take this brief survey!