Far North Bicentennial Park
by Con Bunde
State Senator
I would say my favorite park is Far North Bicentennial Park. I have had a long history with the park from the time before it was a municipal park. Back in those days I used to actually go bow hunting in the park. I was then later on the committee that fi rst envisioned the park. We hoped that it would kind of be like a "Golden Gate Park" park for Anchorage.
The park has many valuable characteristics. It is very accessible and is a park that encompasses man different user groups. I also think it is a very unique set up, how it shares its trail system with the adjacent BLM lands. I personally have liked using the park for dog mushing. Some of my best memories from the park come from cold, late nights running a dog team along the trails.
We have a very unique situation up here in Anchorage, in terms of parks. Because we have so much wilderness around us we haven't had as much of a need for city parks as in the lower 48. With Anchorage's growth, parks are becoming more and more vital. I hope we maintain a balance of this city bringing more parks, but also maintaining the feel of the more rural and primitive parks such as Far North Bicentennial.
Interviewed by Patrick Johnson