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Contact: Beth Nordlund |
MEDIA ADVISORY |
Media Invited to Meet Volunteers Behind Park & Trail Projects Across Anchorage
WHAT: Community Challenge Grant Celebration
WHEN: Friday, May 15, 12:00–1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cuddy Park Amphitheater, located in the southwest part of the park – 3600 Denali St
WHO: Neighborhood volunteers, Anchorage Parks and Recreation, community groups, partners
Anchorage, Alaska — Event to celebrate the 10th round of Community Challenge Grants ith a media event this Friday at the Cuddy Park Amphitheater.
The Foundation awarded $311,000 to 14 community-led park and trail improvement projects across the Municipality of Anchorage, recognizing the community members who will bring these projects to life.
This milestone year marks an important expansion of the program. For the first time, almost half of the 2026 Community Challenge Grant projects are outside of the Anchorage bowl, benefiting public lands and communities in Anchorage, Girdwood, Chugiak, Eagle River, and Chugach State Park.
“Expanding the Community Challenge Grant program to benefit more people and parks is a big step forward,” said Beth Nordlund, Executive Director of the Anchorage Park Foundation. “By investing in projects across more communities, we’re supporting stewardship of the landscapes that define Anchorage and empowering more community partners to care for the places they love.”
Girdwood Projects
- Girdwood Arts Institute – Community mural project
- Girdwood Trails Committee – Winner Creek Trail signage highlighting mining heritage
Eagle River / Chugiak Projects
- Chugiak Soccer – Improvements at Oberg Soccer Complex
- Girl Scout Gold Award Project – Beach Lake Chalet
Projects in Chugach State Park
- Chugach Park Fund – Lost Cabin Valley / Wolverine Ski Loop basher project
- Alaska Trails – Nine trail improvement projects across Chugach State Park, Russian Jack Springs Park, and Far North Bicentennial Park
Several grants also support youth engagement and outdoor learning through Schools on Trails partnerships:
Schools on Trails Projects
- Turnagain Neighbors & West High School – Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park / Romig Hill
- Great Land Trust & Bowman Elementary – Tanglewood Park
- Alaska Botanical Garden – Trail segment near Benny Benson Secondary School connecting to the Chugach Foothills Connector
Additional projects strengthen Anchorage’s identity as a Winter City and International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA)-designated Trail Town, supporting year-round recreation:
Winter City & Trail Town Projects
- Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage – Modern live-video scoreboard for race results
- Singletrack Advocates – Maintenance of 17 miles of Kincaid Park trails
“Volunteers bring passion, creativity, and critical skills that turn small investments into lasting improvements for Anchorage parks and trails,” said Kikkan Randall, Executive Director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. “Kincaid is already a great park, but this investment will take it to the next level to host local, national and international events and races.”
Media is invited to attend, meet project leaders, and learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
The program is offered in partnership with Anchorage Parks and Recreation with funding from the Rasmuson Foundation. The 14 grantees must raise a 1:1 match of volunteer time and/or donations. Since its inception in 2005, APF has awarded $2.4 million in funding to 135 community-led projects that have leveraged more than $8.4 million to improve parks and trails.
