Juneau proposes trading trail maintenance with state to offset $75K budget cut

Juneau's Parks and Recreation Department is proposing to swap trail maintenance responsibilities with Alaska State Parks, a move the department says makes operational sense and comes alongside a $75,000 budget cut that reduced contracted trail brushing on city-owned trails in FY2027.

The proposal goes before the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on July 7. Under the amendment to an existing memorandum of understanding, which already covers certain DNR lands within or adjacent to the Perseverance Trail, the City and Borough of Juneau would take on formal maintenance authority for the Mt. Juneau and Granite Basin trails, which sit on state land. Alaska State Parks would assume responsibility for the North Bridget Cove Beach Access Trail, which sits on CBJ land.

Parks Director Marc Wheeler framed the exchange as operationally sound beyond the budget pressure. "As the furthest CBJ trail from our Park Maintenance shop, maintaining the North Bridget Cove Beach Access Trail requires more resources to maintain than trails closer to town," Wheeler said in his director's report dated July 3. "We feel that this transition of trail management makes sense for both organizations and the community." Wheeler also noted that consolidating trail maintenance within the Gold Creek watershed makes operational sense for the department.

The Budget Cut Behind the Swap

The budget cut came at the CBJ Assembly's June 8 meeting, which finalized a $75,000 reduction to the Parks and Landscape Maintenance budget. To absorb it, the department reduced its contract with Trail Mix, Inc., the nonprofit that maintains many Juneau-area trails, by $75,000 to eliminate brushing on CBJ-owned trails in FY2027.

Brad Garasky, Southeast Region Park Superintendent for Alaska State Parks, raised the issue with CBJ staff in March, noting that the North Bridget Cove trail provides access to the Camping Cove cabin inside Point Bridget State Park. According to Wheeler's director's report, the state is willing to take on maintenance of the trail even though it sits on CBJ land.

The proposed amendment carries one unresolved piece: precise legal descriptions of the affected trail corridors have not been fully incorporated into the agreement. The parties would have 180 days after signing to finalize them.

Broader Budget Context

The June 8 budget action was part of nearly $4.7 million in total FY2027 reductions across CBJ operations, partner agency grants, and capital projects. Juneau voters will see a question on the October ballot to add a 1% seasonal sales tax intended to help fund indoor and outdoor recreation.

The advisory committee's recommendation, if it supports the amendment, would go to the CBJ Assembly for final action.