Trapper Creek Landing Historical Park
Project Date: 2006-Present
Lead: Chris Beck
Client: Trapper Creek Community Services Inc.
Location: Trapper Creek
Project Description
Trapper Creek Landing is an area of land that adjoins the Susitna River, at the eastern end of the East Petersville Road. This area includes a 57-acre Matanuska-Susitna Borough parcel designated for park use, as well as other surrounding Borough property, with the gravel bars, islands and channels of the Susitna River below ordinary high water held by the State of Alaska.
This area is significant from several perspectives:
- Strategic location for a boat launch – Installing a boat launch at this site would be providing an unmet need. Previous sites along the Susitna River have been closed, creating a growing demand by locals, other Alaska residents and tourist operators for a take-in/put-out point.
- History – This site is historically significant as the staging area for the Cache Creek trail. Early in the century, miners and prospectors would take steam ships up the Susitna River and later ride the railroad to Talkeetna. From Talkeetna they would cross the Susitna River to this site, where they would organize themselves for the 35-mile trip to the Cache Creek mining district. Additionally, in the mid-1900s, the landing was used by one of the last waves of homesteaders in the U.S., the “Fifty-Niners,” who staked claims in the Trapper Creek area.
- Potential for diverse uses – This attractive, mostly natural site has excellent potential to provide a diverse range of riverfront recreational experiences.
- Potential for contributing towards the economic vitality of the community – Develping the Landing Park and interpretive materials will help keep pass-through visitors in the area which will in effect keep more money in Trapper Creek.
- Proximity to commercial operations – This location is just 3 miles from the existing set of commercial services and community facilities at the intersection of the Parks Highway and Petersville Roads.
The purpose of this project is to produce a site development and use plan for the park and interpretive information regarding the history of the landing and other sites of interest along the East Petersville Road. Agnew::Beck worked with the community, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, National Park Service and other partners to develop this plan.
Products
|
