Fairbanks borough panel backs grant bids for a Chena Lake loop and a Tanana Lakes trailhead

The Fairbanks North Star Borough's Trails Advisory Commission on Monday endorsed the borough's bids for state-run trail grants to start a paved loop around Chena Lake and fix up the Flicker Trailhead at Tanana Lakes.

At the 2,000-acre Chena Lake Recreation Area, there's no trail linking the west and east sides, and a loop of about 5 kilometers around the lake is a long-term goal, according to the state's public notice. The first phase would prepare ground for a paved path running north from the Plack Road entrance. The commission's letter says the work could also improve winter access for both motorized and non-motorized users.

At Tanana Lakes, the trail around the lake runs about 5 kilometers but has gaps, so people finish parts of it on park and maintenance roads. Most of the park's amenities are on the west side, and the east side, where the Flicker Trailhead sits on Cushman Lake, "currently lacks basic support infrastructure," the commission wrote. The project would add a vault toilet, upgrade the parking lot and fix accessibility problems. It would also better mark where the trail runs onto a flood-control structure that doubles as a maintenance road, separating vehicles from trail users there, according to its notice.

If the state transportation department picks the projects, federal money would cover up to 90% of eligible costs, with the borough paying at least 10%. Work on both would happen between June and October 2028. The notices don't list dollar amounts.

The Borough Assembly authorized Mayor Grier Hopkins to apply on Oct. 22. Public comment on both projects is open through Saturday, Oct. 31.