Near Island Trails
Mission: Create sustainable trail systems throughout the archipelago.
Project Dates: 2009-present
Summary:
The Near Island trail network improvement project started in the early 1990's, after the Near Island Bridge was completed in the late 80's, with the North End Trail. Parks and rec director, Ian Fulp, contracted that job out to a trail building crew out of Anchorage and the large map sign was put in by Kodiak resident Wanda Schultz.
The rest of Near Island was just a random series of social trails developed by hikers who wanted to explore the Island.
Sometime around 2010, Andy Schroader, with his startup Non profit company called "Island Trails Network" Started work on the Rotary Park Trail that would connect North End Trail to the Rotary Park picnic gazebo and ultimately Trident Basen and the South End Point social trails. With that project Schroader involved not only his ITN Crew but also community volunteers and eco-challenge participants which included myself, Marcus Dunbar.
After working with Schroader on the Rotary Trail I asked what was next and could we start involving the HS Cross Country Team that was looking for a good community project to volunteer with.
From that came the Channelside Trail, Then with financial support from the Kouremetis Family's Foundation, ITN was able to continue hiring a summer crew, to finish Channelside, Improve SouthEnd and Harborview trails, Build the Trident Basen Coastal Trail and the Dog Bay Harbor Trail.
Now Near Island has a 4.25 mile loop around the perimeter of the Island includingTrails; North End, Rotary,Tridentbasen, SouthEnd Harborview, Dog Bay and Channelside. There are numerous locations to park and access the trail system with lots of shorter or longer loop options.
This summer plans are in place to continues Near Island trail improvements with: another layer of gravel on the entire Dog Bay Trail, A channelside lookout trail where Chennelside meets Dog Bay, Installation of a spotting scope the looks out over Dog Bay, Trail drainage improvements, increase signage and general maintenance of the entire trail network.
Funding Partners: Kodiak Rotary, Alaska Legislature
In-Kind Partners: City of Kodiak, Alaska State Parks, Koniag Inc.
