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2009 McNeil/Eveline Strategic Plan

MCNEIL CANYON AND EVELINE STATE RECREATION SITE TRAILS 2009 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATED * APPROVED 3/4/09

Meeting date: Feb. 18, 2009

Dave Brann, Derek Stonorov, Molly Brann, George Matz

Additional input from Pete Swanson, Carmen Field, Alan Gnad

 

MCNEIL CANYON TRAILS

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Trailheads, parking, facilities, signs, plowing:

McNeil Canyon Trailhead is at mile 12 East End Road adjacent to the school parking lot.  A Nordic Ski Area highway sign is observable to easterly traveling vehicles.  The School parking lot is available weekdays during school hours or when the school gate is open.  A KNSC volunteer opens and shuts the gate on the weekends.  A KNSC storage shed is at the trailhead with a sign and bulletin board.  The School parking lot is plowed by the School District.

 

McNeil Canyon School is supportive of skiing and provides ski opportunities at recess and after school for students.  They have a large collection of skis, boots and poles for student use.  These were purchased with funds from their Site Council and the Snomads.

 

Trails, Description, ownership, equipment:

The KNSC has developed and maintains a winter trail system at McNeil Canyon.  The system is approximately 9 km.  The Eveline State Recreation Site trails are accessed from this trailhead with a 3 km connecting trail.  Including the 5 km of trails at Eveline there is a total of 17 km of trails in the area.

 

A Stadium, with a start/finish area, is on school grounds.   A 7 km loop, with connections for shorter options, starts at the trailhead.  A .5 km loop is adjacent to the school playground.  Most McNeil trails have detailed GPS/GIS data and are on a GIS map.

 

No preferred skiing direction is designated or type of skiing is noted.  Skiers are allowed to ski with dogs.  Snowshoers are asked to stay to the side of the trail.

 

Land ownership is a combination of Kenai Peninsula Borough and KPB School District lands.  A formal MOA is signed with the Borough.  The KNSC has an agreement with the school to groom and maintain the trails.

 

A 2-stroke snowmachine, roller, drag and track setter are stored on KPBSD property.

 

MCNEIL CANYON TRAILS

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Short Term Goals: McNeil:

  • 1. Trailhead - access - plowing
  • a. Work with the Emergency Services Station to access additional parking.
  • b. Provide a more secure location for equipment.
  • 2. Facilities - Outhouses - Lighted trails
  • a. Establish a training program for parent volunteers and coaches.
  • b. Install a state approved outhouse.
  • c. Provide a picnic table at the scenic overlook.
  • 3. Signage - maps - kiosks
  • a. Name loops and install temporary signs.
  • b. Install permanent signs.
  • c. Update maps.
  • d. Build an information kiosk.
  • 4. MOA - Permanent Trail Easements
  • a. Revise MOA with KPB when changes in the trail are made.
  • 5. Trails - Bridges
  • a. Upgrade trails to mower quality.
  • b. Mow trails in summer and fall.
  • c. Remove hazard trees.
  • d. Develop .5 km trail between the Emergency Services Station and the existing trails.
  • e. Support McNeil Canyon School’s goal to build a new 3 km loop on school grounds.
  • f. Add 1.6 km to reroute and add interesting terrain to the 7.5 km loop within the existing grazing lease.
  • g. Add a .5 km hayfield loop for scenic options.
  • h. Build a bridge over the creek on the backside of the 5 km loop.
  • 6. Equipment
  • a. Maintain equipment as needed.
  • b. Upgrade to one 4-stroke snowmachine and a power drag to share with Eveline.

 

 

Long Term Goals: McNeil

  • 1. Trailhead - Access - Parking
  • a. Improve access to McNeil Canyon School parking lot.
  • 2. Facilities - Outhouses - Lighted trails
  • a. Build permanent equipment storage and maintenance building for snow machines and other equipment.
  • b. Develop lighted loop.
  • 3. Signage - Maps - Kiosks
  • a. Create permanent maps of the area.
  • 4. MOA Permanent Trail Easements
  • a. Identify land owners and get MOA to develop the trail to Bald Mountain.
  • 5. Trails - Bridges
  • a. Sign, groom and maintain a trail to Bald Mountain.
  • 6. Equipment
  • a. Purchase a second snowmachine or a track ATV to share with Eveline State Recreation Site and other locations to facilitate summer and winter maintenance.
  • b. Hire an operator and maintenance person.
  • c. Purchase piston bully.


EVELINE STATE RECREATION SITE TRAILS

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Trailheads, parking, facilities, signs, plowing:

Eveline State Recreation Site winter trails can be accessed with the Connecting Trail from McNeil Canyon School or from the Alpine Meadows Drive trailhead approximately 1.5 miles east of McNeil Canyon School.  Summer trails are accessed from Alpine Meadows Drive.

 

The Alpine Meadows Drive parking lot is adjacent to the road and has room for 10 - 12 vehicles.  There is a bridge across the ditch for pedestrian access.

 

An outhouse is located near the parking lot and a picnic table is on the trail in a scenic location.  Trail registers and information are located at both entrances.  A large attractive sign identifies Eveline State Recreation Site.  Other State Park signs identify the area and name trails and loops.  A memorial to Eveline is located near the trailhead and parking area.

 

The Borough plows the parking lot on Alpine Meadows Drive.

 

Winter Trails - Description, ownership, equipment:

The 80-acre Eveline State Recreation Site is owned by Alaska State Parks and is managed by the KNSC for non-motorized recreation.  The highest point is about 1450 feet elevation.  The high elevation makes this an area that has early season skiing potential.

 

A written Memorandum of Understanding has been in effect since Feb. 1, 2001.  Edmund Schuster donated 60 acres to create the State Recreation Site in memory of his wife Eveline in 1999.  Later, he donated an additional 20 acres.  The Eveline State Recreation Site was officially dedicated to the memory of Eveline Schuster in a special ceremony in June 2007.

 

The 3 km Connecting Trail from McNeil Canyon School is located on a section line and a permanent trail easement given by Mr. Schuster.  The Eveline system has about 5 km of winter trails.  The trail is groomed from the McNeil trailhead.

 

Winter use includes snow shoeing and skiing with or without dogs.

 

Summer Trails - Description:

Part of the winter trail system is maintained for summer use.  A 3 km loop is mowed for an easy walking or jogging trail.  The area has magnificent wild flowers and scenic views of the glaciers across the Bay.

 

 

EVELINE STATE RECREATION SITE

NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Short Term Goals: Eveline:

  • 1. Trailhead - access - plowing
  • 2. Facilities - Outhouses - Lighted trails
  • 3. Signage - maps - kiosks
  • a. Install permanent signs.
  • b. GPS Eveline loops and connections.
  • c. Update map.
  • 4. MOA - Permanent Trail Easements
  • 5. Trails - Bridges
  • a. Upgrade all loops and the connecting trail to allow access from McNeil earlier in the season. Cut willow, brush and trees as necessary to widen and level the trail.
  • b. Move the connecting trail from the muskeg to the dedicated easement.
  • c. Mow trails in summer and fall.
  • d. Remove hazard trees.
  • e. Install boardwalks across muskegs.
  • f. Establish benches at scenic rest spots.
  • g. Create interactive natural play equipment along trail.
  • h. Identify plants and birds and add interpretive information along trails.
  • i. Make all loops suitable for 4-season trails.
  • j. Mark recreation area boundaries.
  • 6. Equipment

 

Long Term Goals: Eveline:

  • 1. Trailhead - Access - Parking
  • 2. Facilities - Outhouses - Lighted trails
  • a. Improve picnic area with fire pit, tent platform and yurt or ski hut.
  • 3. Signage - Maps - Kiosks
  • 4. MOA Permanent Trail Easements
  • 5. Trails - Bridges
  • 6. Equipment