The Anchorage Assembly voted Tuesday to prohibit taking and paying for private property for public recreation uses, a vote that effectively puts a Coastal Trail extension on hold for a while.
So be it. But let's not give up for good on a good idea.
The Coastal Trail extension from Kincaid Park to Potter Marsh is an expensive and complex proposition, even without the Assembly's unfortunate decision to prohibit the use of eminent domain for public recreation. Questions of hydrology and drainage, possible disruption to wildlife habitat in the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, a federal prohibition against crossing park or refuge land if there are other alternatives, and the cost of boardwalks or bridges over sensitive areas mean that any extension won't be a quick project.
But imagine that long stretch from downtown Anchorage to Potter Marsh, with its beautiful views and peaceful miles, and further imagine a trail that might one day run from downtown Anchorage to, say, Seward.
There should be a way to this without going to war.
Let's start modestly. Property owners who object to selling some of their land for such a trail have driven the opposition. And they've won before the Assembly. But why not build segments from both the Kincaid and Potter ends, where rights of way are or can be established on public land?
Yes, the goal would be an eventual Coastal Trail extension linkup. Bur even if the Coastal Trail extension never happened, the segments on either end could link up with other Anchorage trails and connect more of our 250 miles of trails and greenbelts
We don't have to do a Coastal Trail Extension all at once; if the will, way and wherewithal come together; we can and should finish the job over time. Meanwhile, let's start on those segments that neither require the forced sale of private property nor present expensive engineering problems.
BOTTOM LIONE: Despite setbacks and costs, Coastal Trail extension is still a great project. Let's do what we can and see where the trail goes.