ARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Parks & Recreation Commission 632 W. 6 th Avenue, Suite 630 P.O. Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519 Tel 907-343-4355 MEMORANDUM OVERVIEW University Lake Park is a 64-acre community use park and natural area located in the UMED district of Anchorage. The park is popular among dog walkers and trail users and features a designated off-leash loop trail as well as access to the Campbell Creek and Chester Creek trail systems. The popularity of the park and diversity of users has contributed to the success of the park as well as presented management and maintenance challenges for the Parks and Recreation Department. To address these challenges, the Department worked with stakeholders and community members to develop a master plan for the park. In September 2016, the University Lake Park Master Plan was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission and ultimately received final approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2017. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS The Parks and Recreation Department is proposing improvements at University Lake Park intended to implement key priorities identified through the master planning process. This includes an expansion of the existing parking lot to accommodate vehicle demand, the addition of wayfinding and signage to eliminate confusion and conflicts among various park users and uses, and trail circulation upgrades to improve overall usability and user experience. Funding for this project was approved by Anchorage voters as part of the 2018 Park Bond Package and is currently $350,000. An additional $250,000 of funding may be realized for this project pending the approval of the 2020 Park Bond. Date: February 13, 2020 To: Parks & Recreation Commission Cc: Steve Rafuse, Parks Superintendent From: Taylor Keegan, Park Planner Project: PRC 20-02 University Lake Park Improvements
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A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N
M u n i c i p a l i t y o f A n c h o r a g e , A l a s k a
Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Parks & Recreation Commission
632 W. 6th Avenue, Suite 630 P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519 Tel 907-343-4355
MEMORANDUM
OVERVIEW
University Lake Park is a 64-acre community use park and natural area located in the UMED district of Anchorage. The park is popular among dog walkers and trail users and features a designated off-leash loop trail as well as access to the Campbell Creek and Chester Creek trail systems. The popularity of the park and diversity of users has contributed to the success of the park as well as presented management and maintenance challenges for the Parks and Recreation Department. To address these challenges, the Department worked with stakeholders and community members to develop a master plan for the park. In September 2016, the University Lake Park Master Plan was approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission and ultimately received final approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2017.
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
The Parks and Recreation Department is proposing improvements at University Lake Park intended to implement key priorities identified through the master planning process. This includes an expansion of the existing parking lot to accommodate vehicle demand, the addition of wayfinding and signage to eliminate confusion and conflicts among various park users and uses, and trail circulation upgrades to improve overall usability and user experience. Funding for this project was approved by Anchorage voters as part of the 2018 Park Bond Package and is currently $350,000. An additional $250,000 of funding may be realized for this project pending the approval of the 2020 Park Bond.
Date: February 13, 2020
To: Parks & Recreation Commission
Cc: Steve Rafuse, Parks Superintendent
From: Taylor Keegan, Park Planner
Project: PRC 20-02 University Lake Park Improvements
PRC 20-02 February 7, 2020 Page 2 of 3
P A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N
M u n i c i p a l i t y o f A n c h o r a g e , A l a s k a
Parking Lot Upgrades
The parking lot will be expanded and upgraded to better accommodate park users arriving by vehicle. In recent years, the demand for parking has exceeded available parking, resulting in park visitors parking in neighboring lots and in the designated fire lane on University Lake Drive. The proposed parking lot expansion is anticipated to meet current and future demand for vehicle parking; thereby, minimizing conflicts and allowing the Parks and Recreation Department to better manage the park.
Upgrades include: • Lighting • Kiosks, signage, and wayfinding • Increase parking from 22 to 57 spaces • Landscaping • Trail access
Trail Circulation Improvements
Trail upgrades in and around the parking area are intended to improve circulation by providing separation of the off-leash trail and the multi-use trail. The current trail configuration and combination of uses has led to conflicts between active trail users such as cyclists, runners, and skiers and off-leash dogs. Circulation upgrades will reduce these conflicts by providing adequate separation of uses.
Upgrades include: • Re-route of off-leash loop and multi-use trail • Signage and wayfinding
Signage and Wayfinding
Signage and wayfinding will be added in coordination with other proposed improvements to improve park user experience. The addition of these amenities is intended to help users navigate the park and minimize conflicts among various trail users. The installation of signage and wayfinding helps to delineate uses within the park; particularly as it pertains to off-leash vs multi-use trail designations. Additionally, University Lake Park is at the intersection of the Campbell Creek Trail and Chester Creek Trail system. Wayfinding at University Lake Park is part of a larger initiative to incorporate wayfinding throughout the trail system and will help trail users plan and navigate their journey.
Upgrades include: • Kiosks • Trail designation signage (off-leash vs multi-use) • Park maps and wayfinding • Direction signage • Mile markers • Emergency locators
PRC 20-02 February 7, 2020 Page 3 of 3
P A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N
M u n i c i p a l i t y o f A n c h o r a g e , A l a s k a
PLANNING AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Proposed improvements are based on priorities identified during the master planning process and reaffirmed through ongoing planning with the community. The following information outlines the planning and public involvement process to date. 2015-2016: Planning and public involvement for the development of the University Lake Park Master Plan April 2016: University Area Community Council Resolution of Support for University Lake Park Master Plan September 2016: Parks and Recreation Commission Resolution of Support for University Lake Park Master Plan January 2017: Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution of Approval for University Lake Park Master Plan April 2018: Parks Bond passes with funding $350,000 for University Lake Park 2018-2019: Research, Planning, Design, Engineering September 2019: Presentation to University Area Community Council January 2020: University Area Community Council Executive Board confirms support for proposed upgrades April 2020: Park Bond with additional $250,000 for University Lake Park Summer 2020: Construction of proposed improvements
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Parks and Recreation Department recommends the approval of the proposed improvements for University Lake Park. These improvements will address issues identified in the master plan and will provide much need upgrades to support future use of this important community use park and natural area.
P A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N
M u n i c i p a l i t y o f A n c h o r a g e , A l a s k a
Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska Parks & Recreation Commission
632 W. 6th Avenue, Suite 630 P.O. Box 196650
Anchorage, AK 99519 Tel 907-343-4355
PRC RESOLUTION NO. 2020-02 University Lake Park Improvements
WHEREAS, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission serves in an advisory capacity to both the Mayor and the Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission has the responsibility and duty to provide for the long term vision of our park system by ensuring that a balance of parks, natural resources, and recreation facilities provides for the health, welfare, and safety of all residents of the Anchorage Bowl; and WHEREAS, the University Lake Master Plan was approved by the University Area Community Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission in 2016, and received final approval at the Planning and Zoning Commission in 2017; and WHEREAS, the proposed improvements were identified as priorities in the University Lake Park Master Plan and include parking lot upgrades, trail circulation improvements, and wayfinding; and WHEREAS, the proposed parking lot upgrades are intended to meet the demand for parking by park users while improving safety and providing amenities and includes lighting, circulation upgrades, increased visibility, and additional parking spaces; and WHEREAS, the proposed trail wayfinding and trail circulation upgrades will help reduce long standing conflicts among trail users by clearly delineating trail designations and helping visitors navigate the park safely; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission approves the improvements proposed for University Lake Park.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Commission this 13th day of February, 2020.
_____________________________ Chair Parks and Recreation Commission
ATTEST: ________________________________ Director Parks & Recreation Department
U N I V E R S I T Y
L A K E
University
ELMO
RE ROAD
Lake Trail
Gravel Trail
UNIVERSITY LAKE PARK
PARKING PROVIDEDINTERIOR LANDSCAPE PROVIDED
57 5%
GRID: SW 1736
MUN
IC
IPALITYOFANCHORAGE
SCALE SHEET of
MUN
IC
IPALITYOFANCHORAGE
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
CONSULTANT
DATE: 2/5/2020
STATUS: NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
UNIVERSITY LAKE PARK
HOR.VER.
NANA
The Boutet Company, Inc.601 E. 57th Place #102Anchorage, AK. 99518
Ph. 907-522-6776Fx. 907-522-6779
License No. AECC957
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99508
11
SITE PLAN
Department ofParks and
Recreation
Municipality ofAnchorage
HealthyParks
HealthyPeople0 4020
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