Thursday, November 21, 2013

Wood Center Lounge - Open House Meetings

We hosted two evening open-house style meetings at the Wood Center Lounge to listen to the student perspective on Trails and Greenways around campus and how they use them.  Opinions varied on some subjects, but all notes are listed below.

Known Trail/Route Conflicts:


·        Need better signage/destination awareness on campus
o   Don’t really know where trails are and how to use them
o   Signs can be confusing
o   Rules often misunderstood
·        Need better parking near Smith Lake, Sheep Creek Road area
·        Farmers Loop Crossing –
o   Lots of parents with kids crossing
o   Need a ped light or better/safer crossing area
·        Many intersections are dangerous
·        Wildlife/cold temps
·        Many user groups
·        Parking at SRC is very popular
·        Many don’t want to purchase parking passes
·        Lookout Point parking area is often full on weekends
·        No warming hut along longer ski routes
·        Berm of snow along south of Yukon, top of Observation Point, restricts access to Himalaya Trail area
·        Shuttle stops/buses can be crowded


Opportunities:


·        Himalaya Trails (north of Patty Center and SRC) are valued –
o   Keep the same character
o   Keep trees/naturalness
o   Keep open fields instead of parking areas
o   Could use a more developed route through this area
o   Scenery is good, ravines and small hills are nice
·        UAF is a Tree Campus USA
·        Love snowshoeing around campus
·        Death/Suicide Hill
o   This route is often avoided during icy periods
o   Some use sleds to get down
o   Stairs on Suicide Hill are good
·        Where ski trails are desired by runners/walkers, try putting running tracks on one side and ski tracks on other
·        Green bikes program is good for students and trails
·        Stairs on Alumni Drive are often used
·        Parking behind Reichardt is a favorite of students, reliable
·        Yukon has a nice view for those who are walking
·        Lighting levels are good


Side Notes:

·        ROTC – 30-40 people with headlamps
o   uses ski hut, potato field, and t-field trail in part of morning routine.  Typically meet at SRC and hike/march up t-field trail
o   also uses soccerfield
·        Tanana Loop roundabout is often icy
·        ADMA (Alaska Dog Mushing Assoc) Trails east of Farmers Loop – close proximity to campus
  

Thanks to the Daily News-Miner for stopping by as well!

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