Denali kennels proposes parking expansion

The National Park Service is considering a new project for the Denali National Park Headquarters area and asking for public comment.

The proposal is a project to provide improved visitor access to the sled dog kennels at headquarters. It includes constructing a new parking loop to accommodate up to six buses.  A new visitor parking lot with 11 spaces adjacent to the existing visitor parking area would be constructed as well as a two-way road connecting to the new bus parking loop and parking lot.  17 more parking spaces would be added along the new road.  In the plan, a roof would be built over the viewing stands now in place for visitors.  The stands are used in summer during sled dog demonstrations. Short pedestrian paths linking the new parking to the existing kennels trail are also part of the plan.

Removal and re-vegetation of the existing service road that currently leads to the kennels would occur after the other roads are built.

The park would like to limit traffic through the headquarters area. Recommendations of the Cultural Landscape Report for the Park call for limiting traffic through the Historic District and minimizing paving in the historic portion of the headquarters area.  Park officials say this plan would accomplish those goals.

The original EA on this plan has changed.  After site investigation it was determined the original proposed alignment of a new road was not feasible.  The new proposal warranted a new environmental document.

Comments on the document are due January 22^nd .  Information can be found at the Denali National Park website or by contacting Miriam Valentine at the Talkeetna Ranger Station.