A plan to extend 3-phase electrical lines from the Junction of the Spur Road and the Parks Highway into Denali State Park is in the works. David Griffin, a resource Specialist for the Parks and Recreation Division of the Department of Natural Resources, attended last week’s meeting of the Trapper Creek Community Council to give an overview of the plan to upgrade existing single-phase lines from Mile 98 of the Parks highway north to mile 121, and extend the industrial-grade power to mile 134. The 3-phase power lines will be used to run the proposed South Denali Visitor’s Center.

Griffin says the project has an estimated cost of five-point-seven million dollars, of which Alaska State Parks will pay half. Griffin says they are looking for partners on the project to cover the balance. Princess Lodge has committed to $1 million for the project, since the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge at mile 133 on the Parks Highway would benefit from the power source. Griffin says State Parks approached the Mat-Su Borough for assistance, but the Borough would not commit to participating in the project.

The first phase of the South Denali Visitor’s Center will begin construction in Summer 2012. Plans call for an access road, parking lot, campground, and ranger station at mile 134. The actual Visitor’s Center project is a bit further away on the horizon, but will be placed at a higher elevation on a bluff below Curry Ridge.

aired thurs -National Trails Day is celebrated throughout the United States this coming Saturday.  Trail maintenance as well as celebrations are planned across the nation.  Locally, the Denali State Park trails will get attention.  The state park staff is planning a work party for Byers Lake.  Sue Deyoe has more….

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The State of Alaska recently made a land deal with a corporation that owns land inside Denali State Park.  That deal is being called a win-win situation by both parties.  What it may mean in the future is a large hotel built inside the park boundaries, but also road access for both parties with less impact on the surrounding area. Sue Deyoe has the story..

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Two separate black bear hunting violations near Talkeetna were issued last week. (more…)

After several years of waiting, Denali State Park officials have received FEMA funds from the 2006 floods to start work on three different trails in the park.  The work is beginning this summer.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

KTNA’s morning news, weather, announcements, echos for July 1st.  Host is Sue Deyoe.  Headlines – Fishing closures for July 2nd; Denali State Park Trails get money for reconstruction; Denali Park raft company looking for stolen raft. (16 min)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Denali State Park officials have not yet closed the scoping period for information gathering on the park’s trail management plan even though the official deadline was December 15th.  Claire Holland LeClaire continues listening to local residents on their expertise.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Talkeetna Community Council heard from GCI representatives at their Monday night meeting. The council had faced the same issue earlier this fall and had recommended a hold on plans for any tower. After 45 minutes of discussion, the council voted to write a letter to the Borough Planning Commission asking them to accept GCI’s request for a conditional use permit.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Denali State Park planning staffers are still looking for input from local residents to come up with the park’s first Denali State Park Trail Management Plan. (more…)