Thanks to receiving a Recreational Trails Grant, we have been able to begin working on a trail to connect the Lower Parking Lot to the Nature Center.  The new lot has been great for providing additional parking and increasing safety (less people are now parking on Eagle River Road).  It has also been instrumental in allowing people with disabilities to access the Rodak Nature Trail and Viewing Decks.  They can now bypass the steep section of the trail that begins behind the Nature Center.
The new trail design and construction is spearheaded by Blaine Smith (with Alaska Trails) along with our staff trail manager Gus Gustafson.  The original "sneaky trail" that existed in that location was used by volunteers to quickly access their cabins.  The intent of the new trail is to make it as safe and easy as possible for those parking in the lower lot to reach the Nature Center.  The large crib stairs with handrails is slated to be completed by mid-July. 
We cannot thank our trail crew volunteers enough. So many of them have come out daily to help with the backbreaking work of digging and moving dirt and rocks.  THANK YOU Jerry, Joe, Mike K, Mike, Pat, Sheri, Dan,Ruth, Daniela, Paul, Lyndon, Tom, Hank, Ruth, Kate, Betsy, Elaine and Marc. 

The Salmon Viewing Deck has been rebuilt and ready to enjoy.  In the next weeks we'll let you know when the contractors will be staining it. At that time it will need to be closed off for a few days. 
What's still left?  The interpretive displays are in design and production, along with additional benches.  We hope to have a grand opening ceremony to honor all our business, foundation and individual sponsors in August or September 2022.   We'll keep you posted.

Friends of Eagle River Nature Center
Gratefully Acknowledges the Generous Support
Of the Following Donors of the
2022 Reconstruction of the Salmon Viewing Deck

Major Corporate Sponsor
ConocoPhillips Alaska

Major Individual Sponsor
Terry S. Lauck and Allyson Parker-Lauck

Rasmuson Foundation
REI Co-op
JD, Dana and Jacob Batove
Gorm Family
Dick Griffith
Tom Iverson Family
Julie K. Jessen and John Clifton Passmore
Dore and Kevin Meyers
Bill Schmid and Sue Spyker
Stephen and Sarah Wright
Thank you to all our Dick Griffith Matching Donors and For the Cause Donors of 2021-2022 who contributed to this project. Special thanks to the State of Alaska for providing a legislative grant to make the reconstruction possible and to Golder Associates, Inc. and Dakota Drilling, Inc. for their geotechnical work.