Sunshine Creek improvements going forward

Planned improvements to the Sunshine Creek recreational area are making progress as Mat-Su Borough workers have started excavating for the installation of rest rooms.Sunshine Creek is a popular fishing spot and had seen a lot of use over the years. This has led to the degradation of the stream bank, muddy and bumpy access trails and human waste issues. The Susitna Community Council has been working with the Mat-Su Borough on methods to clean up and restore the area. Recent changes in borough personnel however raised the questions whether the Sunshine Creek improvements are still a “Go.”

Working at the project were Community Development Director Linda Brenner and head of the recreational division Dan Kiyes. Both are no longer employed with the borough. The borough hired on a private contractor, Jeff Dillon, to oversee the Sunshine Creek project, among other things. Dillon is a parks and recreation specialist and was the director of parks and recreation in Anchorage for the last five years.

Dillon is also advising the borough how to reorganize the community development department. The department manages land and resources development and oversees libraries, trails, parks and recreational services. He expects the reorganization to take place in the next 90 days.

Dillon plans to come up to Sunshine Creek for a site visit in the next few weeks.