Resident and Student Life Meeting

Attendees:

Laura McCollough

Known Trail/Route Conflicts

·        Frisbee Golf Area located within residential area (near Hess Village and N Chandalar Drive) presents several user conflicts such as noise, flying objects near windows and residents, night-time users hanging out around people’s homes.  Area for golf is not well-defined.

·        N-S access between MSB and Lola Tilly is main route between the two spots and definitely not safe for all users. 

Opportunities

·        A better defined pathway for Frisbee golf users (and encouraging them to stay on the path) might make residents feel safer

·        Alternative route between MSB and Lola Tilly might be to cut through the Wood Center

·        Create an indoor spine like UAA

·        Make UAF a pedestrian campus. 

·        Provide accessible routes where possible, with alternative routes for others with abilities to take short cuts.

·        MSB is a hub on campus that needs better access.

·        Create a trailhead/parking area along North Tanana for staff on east side of campus to access North Campus trails during lunch hour

·        There is a need for lower campus dog park.  Revitalize Sustainable Village ski trails, possibly connect with Thompson Drive parking, and provide this as dog-friendly area.  Potential partnership with West Valley High?  Funding might be possible through kiosk parking payment at Thompson Drive parking?  Creating a dog friendly area gives people currently using trails and fields on campus for dog areas a designated place to go.

Side Notes

·        Frisbee Golf has a map, the course used to have 18 holes and now has 9

·        Make sure there are accessible routes on campus.  Not everyone is from Alaska or enjoys the outdoors

·        Students all want a car space.  They want the option to walk if they can, but often can’t.

·        An interesting overlay would show who lives in which dorms and how they get to their classes (e.g. sophomores, juniors, and seniors all live in Cutler)

·        Students generally choose housing location NOT based on class locations

·        Students love their privacy, especially in Alaska

·        Some students talk about liking ‘obstacles’, like to brag about difficulties, the ‘tradition’ of suicide hill

Student Recreation / Terrain Park Meeting

Attendees:

Mark Oldmixton

Kaydee Miller

Sam Braband

Erik Ofelt

Known Trail/Route Conflicts

·        Terrain Park expansion and existing E-W cut through trail

·        Lookout Point Crossing

·        Suicide Hill – all uses (especially access to Patty Center)

·        Snow Storage at Observation Point

·        Railroad Right-of-Way near Sheep Creek Road and Farm

·        Roundabout creates user conflicts, suggest better designated crossings

Opportunities

·        Terrain Park is a campus and community amenity that draws users to campus

·        Zipline and/or aerial tram would be a fun amenity for campus to consider

·        Himalaya Trail (trail network north of Patty Center and SRC) is the main green (or natural) area within the main campus and people love the character of it and enjoy using it. This character should be maintained.

·        E/W Trails near Terrain Park could take advantage of previously cleared utilidors

Side Notes

·        Stairs should be covered or constructed of metal grating.  Tundra mats may be an  option for some trail construction.

·        How snow is plowed/stored needs to be considered with any proposed trail upgrades

·        Commuter Trail (north of Farm, extended from Sheep Creek Road to Lookout Point parking) is terrible at break up.  This trail is constructed in an existing drainage ditch.

·        Trail grooming needs to be considered for skiers vs. bikers vs. walkers.

·        ‘Obstacles’ found in Himalaya Trail area can sometimes be considered fun, for some users

·        Terrain Park needs a defined perimeter, 4 days/week, hours are about 12-4pm.

·        A second climbing tower is planned for the future

·        Many cyclists prefer road riding to sidewalks, safer for them as they are more visible to vehicles

Open House Meetings

Discovery Week is coming up!  We will be busy meeting with stakeholder groups and committees between November 19th-22nd, you should have a confirmed meeting time arranged already if you are a member of one of these groups.

For everyone else who may want to get involved, we have scheduled two open house style meetings scheduled at the Wood Center lounge during Discovery Week:

Tuesday, November 19^th - 5pm-7pm  – Student Open House  

This meeting is primarily to hear the students' perspective, but anybody is welcome to attend.

Thursday, November 21^st - 5pm-7pm – Open House 

This meeting is open to everyone interested with an invitation extended to the community as well.  All committee members and stakeholder should try and attend this meeting as we summarize what was learned during Discovery Week, present our next steps, and involve the community.