parks

The road entrance to Kenai Fjords National Park is marked by a sign, seen on Aug. 27, 2022. The National Park Service has released its annual report on the economic impact of park visitation. Alaska is among the states that reaps the most economic benefit from visitors to its national parks, according to the report. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

Visitors to Alaska’s national parklands pumped $2.3 billion into the state’s economy, report says

Tourism to national parks in Alaska has rebounded from pre-pandemic levels after three years of lower numbers, according to a report released by the National… Continue reading

 

This Monday evening photo shows the Savikko Park playground on South Douglas. The playground is set to be replaced throughout the summer as a part of the City and Borough of Juneau’s park improvement project. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New playground, improvements slated for Savikko Park

Construction at the park will begin Wednesday and last through August, city officials say.

 

Trail Mix Inc. contracted with ROTAK Helicopter Services to provide a K-Max heavy lift helicopter to slingload dozens of tons of gravels for new construction on the Horse Tram Trail on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Special delivery: Trail Mix uses helicopter to build new trail

The synchropter can lift more than its own weight.

 

Archie (center), Ella (left) and Arrow (right) enjoy the dog-friendly Field 2 in Melvin Park on April 26, 2020. The field, Dimond Park, and the grassy area on top of Gold Street are all closed to dogs indefinitely due to a rising amount of unremoved dog poop. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Poop piles pose problem for parks

Three areas are closed, and more may follow if behavior does not improve.

Archie (center), Ella (left) and Arrow (right) enjoy the dog-friendly Field 2 in Melvin Park on April 26, 2020. The field, Dimond Park, and the grassy area on top of Gold Street are all closed to dogs indefinitely due to a rising amount of unremoved dog poop. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
A bald eagle perches on top of the whale statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on May 26, 2020. The pump rooms for the whale have been repaired after being damaged by flooding last October, but theywill remain turned off for now to save costs and discourage gatherings. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Thar she doesn’t blow: Whale statue all fixed up, but will remain off for now

Cost-saving and crowd-prevention will keep the statue quiet for now.

A bald eagle perches on top of the whale statue at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on May 26, 2020. The pump rooms for the whale have been repaired after being damaged by flooding last October, but theywill remain turned off for now to save costs and discourage gatherings. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Director George Schaaf speaks during the opening of the new pavilion at Auke Lake. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Auke Lake rec area one step closer to completion

The project is one of many successes.

City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Director George Schaaf speaks during the opening of the new pavilion at Auke Lake. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Keri Williamson, an engineer for the city’s Engineering and Public Works Department, talks about the damage at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park utilities building on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. City waste water pumps were overwhelmed during last weekend’s storm and caused a backup of sewage into park’s building that housing the pumps and controls for the whale statue. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Juneau whale statue pumps to be repaired by spring, hopefully

The whale will winter on the binnacle list this year.

Keri Williamson, an engineer for the city’s Engineering and Public Works Department, talks about the damage at the Mayor Bill Overstreet Park utilities building on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. City waste water pumps were overwhelmed during last weekend’s storm and caused a backup of sewage into park’s building that housing the pumps and controls for the whale statue. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)