Children ice skate on Beach Lake, while a dog team passes on the nearby sled-dog trails last winter. Planners heard users' requests for recreation at the park as they consider a re-write of the Beach Lake Regional Park master plan. STAR PHOTO by MELISSA DeVAUGHN

Three things were obvious after the first public forum on the rewrite of the Beach Lake Regional Park master plan: People want to maintain the natural feel of the park; skiers and dog mushers are heavily invested in the area; and there is a need for additional recreational activities within the park.

"None of the topics discussed tonight came as a real surprise," said Anchorage Parks and Recreation director John Rodda, after the Nov. 18 meeting wrapped up. "We've heard most of the concerns before. But this meeting gave the community a chance to have their voice heard as we move forward with rewriting the master plan for the park."

The original master plan for the 1,750-acre park off South Birchwood Loop Road, approved in 1973, designated a large portion of the park for camping and other recreational uses. Most of those plans never were developed.

Writing a new master plan will incorporate 145 acres of land added to the park recently, through an agreement reached with the State of Alaska and will set the course for future development.

"We wanted to hear what the people who use the park today envision for the park's future," said Sarah Wilson-Doyle from Land Design North, which is tasked with creating the new master plan. "There were a lot of good ideas presented and a lot suggestions of how we can improve existing park uses."

Preserving the natural environment seemed the chief concern of those at the meeting.

"Nearly everyone I talked to, whether they were skiers, sled doggers or general park users, want to make sure the park was preserved as a greenbelt," said Lorene Lynn a soil and wetland scientist with HDR Alaska, who was there to answer questions about the wetlands within the park.

"No one wants to see the park turn into something like the (Delaney) Park Strip in Anchorage," she continued. "They seem to like the wilderness feel the park has and want to see that preserved."

Discussion was not limited to preservation; several people addressed the need for new recreation opportunities in the area, beyond Nordic skiing and running sled dogs.

"Mushing and skiing have been the focus of the park for so long," said Lacey Masters, who uses the park for both activities. "But we need to make sure other users have a fighting chance to be included in the park's future. Not everyone is into mushing and skiing."

Suggestions for additional uses included developing a coastal trail around Beach Lake, a series of single-track mountain bike trails, establishing vista points within the park, multiuse trails to accommodate horse riders and skijorers, and developing soccer or baseball fields.

Equestrian use of the park has grown over the years and is something that Mary Anne Hartzog would like to see expanded.

"There is really nowhere to ride in Anchorage," she said. "I'm lucky to live in Peters Creek with room to ride, but my friends in Anchorage with horses are being forced out of town to find a place to ride. I'd like to see some trails developed for horses. It seems to me that that could a good summertime use of the park."

Anthony Rogers, who frequents the park regularly with his family, suggested new hiking trails be developed.

"There are some beautiful views along the beach on the far side of the (Beach) lake," he said. "You can see Mount McKinley, the Alaska Range and watch beluga whales from that spot. Right now it is difficult to access because there are no trails."

In addition to Rogers, residents who live near the new section of the park acquired from the state, the Northwest quarter of Section 25, also touted the majestic views from atop the hillside within the park.

"Preserving the vistas from key areas seemed to be an important point people wanted to make tonight," said Chris Beck, a planner with Agnew:Beck working on the rewrite. "Viewing both the scenery and the wildlife is a large reason people use the park."

Kristy Rasey said there is a need for dedicated skijor trails.

"Beach Lake has some of the best ski and sled dog trails in the state, why not skijoring," she said. "Those who enjoy skijoring can't use ski trails because the dogs would tear up the groomed trails. And being on skis, we don't fit well with the sled dog people. It would be nice to have a dedicated skijor trail in the park."

There was also considerable support for expanding parking at both the ski chalet and the dog mushing trail head.

Some wanted to see improvements made to enhance dry-land training for both sports, such as paved ski trails for roller ski use in the summer and a gravel trail for sled dogs to run out of season.

Preventing abuse and destruction of the park's current development and trails is an area needing addressing in the future master plan, according to several park users.

"Is seems like every year we have to deal with repairing trails damaged by 4x4s and ATVs," said Bill Waddell, trail groomer for the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association. "This year word must have spread through the high school kids that our trails were a good place to play in the mud and go four-wheeling."

Nordic skiers echoed the complaint, calling for better restrictions on access to trails by motorized vehicles.

"The park currently has restrictions prohibiting motorized vehicles off the roadway," Rodda said. "That is not likely to be changed in the new plan. But we need to look at developing better preventive measures to preserve the trails."

Among the possible solutions to the problem were additional signs and installing better blockades or fencing.

Trying to fit all the desired recreational opportunities into one area is difficult, if not impossible, according to Doug Gibson, a member of the citizens advisory committee for the master plan rewrite.

"We need to think regionally as we move forward with the process," he said. "We need to expand our focus beyond Beach Lake and recognize and identify other significant areas in the community that might be more appropriate for different recreational uses rather than trying to fit everything into the Beach Lake Park."

The meeting is the first of many opportunities people will have to comment on the development of a new master plan. Those unable to attend with suggestions and comments about the park can e-mail them to swdoyle@landdesignnorth.com.

A second public forum is scheduled for January for additional input, the date, time and location of this meeting has not yet been determined. Between now and the January forum, the organizers of the rewrite will be making presentations at each of the six local community councils.

Reach the reporter at darrell.breese.@alaskastar.com.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Wednesday, November 25, 2009.