November 19th Community Advisory Group Meeting Summary

 



Community Advisory Group

The Community Advisory Group represents a diversity of interests, perspectives, and knowledge within the community. Their role is to provide context and share the historical, environmental, and personal understanding of the Potter Marsh Watershed Park; act as a sounding board on challenges within the park and surrounding area, opportunities for future development and management of the park, and offer thoughtful feedback on work items as they progress throughout the process; and to serve as a liaison for the project, helping to communicate project updates and gather input from their respective networks and community groups.

The first Community Advisory Group meeting was held November 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Z.J. Loussac Library. The group introduced themselves and worked as a group to identify some of the opportunities at Potter Marsh Watershed Park. 

Summary of Community Advisory Group Meeting Comments

The comments from the first Community Advisory Group meeting for the Potter Marsh Watershed Park Master Plan highlight a strong consensus around minimal, wildlife-focused development, emphasizing the park's role as a unique "neighborhood wild area" and stressing the importance of signage, education, and community partnerships.

Vision: Preservation and "Wild Lite" Approach

The central vision is to preserve the area's "wildness" and ecological integrity for the movement of wildlife while offering a quality recreational experience.

  • Status Quo/Wildness: The primary goal should be to keep the property comfortable for wildlife, maintaining its role as a principal stepping stone for animals moving from saltwater to alpine areas. The area should remain relatively unchanged.

  • Minimal Development: Development should be minimal, limited, and highly-durable, concentrated close to access points.

  • "Wild Lite" Gateway: Focus on creating a "Wild Lite" or "gateway experience" near the main trailhead—a short, accessible loop with great views and interpretive points that serve as a signature element, leaving most of the park's acreage in a natural or primitive state.

  • High-Impact Management: Manage high-impact uses like equestrians and e-bikes. Minimize amenities that attract wildlife, such as picnic areas.

  • Protecting Wildlife: Preserve the open flow for animals. Ensure development is done with resource protection in mind.

Access, Infrastructure, and Design

The group advocated for concentrated, high-quality development at select access points.

  • Limited Access Points: Concentrate 80% of use at or near Limited Development Access Sites (LDAS). Focus on minimal development on fringes with two main parking areas: one on Goldenview/Moen area and the new South Potter Marsh parking.

  • Trail Focus: Prioritize a short-distance, creatively-designed loop trail with built infrastructure (boardwalk, viewing knoll) near the main trailhead to offer an immersive, accessible experience just beyond the parking lot.

  • Natural Materials: Advocate for sustainable design principles, such as permeable parking surfaces (no asphalt) and benches made from on-site natural materials (cottonwood/birch).

  • Trail Hierarchy: The Moen Homestead Trail should be connected. Do not develop new trails on the lower, west slope.

Education, Signage, and Interpretation

Interpretation is seen as crucial for defining the park's purpose and encouraging stewardship.

  • Clear Signage: Initial priority is clear, widespread signage that provides information on the park's goals, rules (what to do and not to do), approved uses, and interpretive/educational content.

  • Educational Themes: Use the park to teach about ecosystem continuity, the transition of wildlife (saltwater to alpine), and habitat.

  • Creative Interpretation: Incorporate creative, interactive interpretation (not high-tech) such as:

    • Displays about "frogsicles" (wood frogs).

    • A display showing the sunset range across the horizon throughout the year.

    • Wildlife cameras.

  • Outdoor Classroom: The Marsh and Park are a fabulous outdoor classroom for nearby schools (Goldenview Middle School, Rabbit Creek Elementary) via non-motorized transportation. Include gathering space and bike racks.

Management, Enforcement, and Partnerships

A sustainable management model based on inter-agency cooperation and local stewardship is essential.

  • Integrated Management: The park should not be managed as an MOA entity alone. Its management and education efforts should be integrated with State Parks, USFWS, ADF&G (Potter Marsh), DOT&PF, and other entities.

  • Community First: Create the space for the neighborhood first so residents take pride in "their" park, which will aid in management and enforcement.

  • Funding and Phasing: Limit development until viable funding is acquired to sustain long-term maintenance. Start small, build up in logical steps, and ensure development fits within annual park bonds.

  • Need for Support Structure: A municipal management presence is needed, including a consistent contact for questions and a visible support structure for enforcement and maintenance.

  • Key Partners: Recommended partners include: Great Land Trust (GLT), Anchorage Audubon, Rabbit Creek Community Council, Potter Creek Homeowners Assoc., DOT&PF, and local schools.

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