Many, many thanks to Ed Rasmuson, the Rasmuson Foundation board, Mayor Mark Begich and this newspaper for demonstrating the vision and leadership to keep the south extension of the Coastal Trail project alive. What an incredibly generous and courageous gift the Rasmusons have given to all of us in Anchorage.
Funding the continuance of the EIS process, which has been stalled by back-door politics, is nothing less than a confirmation of what multiple opinion polls, public comment and community sentiment have been telling us for the past 10 years: that most of Anchorage's citizens want to see the trail extended. The popularity of the existing trail is uncontested, and its extension from Kincaid Park to Potter Marsh will allow all of us access to an amazing and beautiful stretch of our coastline.
As encouraging as Rasmuson's gift sounds, finding an acceptable route for the trail is not a slam-dunk. Homeowners and other people have raised legitimate concerns that must, and will, be addressed through the EIS process. Trade-offs and compromises will need to be made to achieve the overall goals, but solutions clearly do exist. Mayor Begich has committed to helping find those solutions, and with a little help from the rest of us, we can succeed. Please stay informed and involved to help make the south Coastal Trail a reality.
-- Mike Jens
Friends of the Coastal Trail
Anchorage