Russian Jack Springs Golf Course
The Municipal Parks and Recreation Department is holding a public meeting on Thursday February 12th at 6 pm in the Anchorage School District Education Center on Northern Lights regarding the removal of 7.5 acres for the First Tee children’s golf program in Russian Jack Springs Park.
Thursday - February 12 6:00 pm at Anchorage School District Education Center (Northern Lights)
To view the alternatives and for more information click here
The Municipal Parks and Recreation Department has presented 4 new alternatives for the proposed changes to Russian Jack Springs Park (RJSP). As citizens of the community we need to inform the Parks and Recreation Commission of our choices and/or opinions of the suggested alternatives.
In 2006 Proposition 3 was passed approving the long-term lease of the golf course at RJSP to First Tee, of dedicated municipal park land – for the purpose of upgrading and maintaining public golf facilities. The 2006 ordinance in support of this proposition stated that there will be no public or private economic effect. Today, 2 years later, this "lease approval" has now grown into a significant land use issue and a poorly vetted redesign of Russian Jack Springs Park. There has been no public outcry to redesign RJSP.
One million dollars has been allocated from the Alaska State Legislature and Municipal Bonds that could be used for clearing up to 7.5 acres for a driving range and other improvements to the park. Future maintenance of the golf course (during the lease and upon expiration of the lease) will be funded with public dollars. First Tee's only financial commitment to the golf course would be to construct, operate and maintain the driving range.
Public testimony before the Parks and Recreation Commission is crucial to express our views and our opposition to Alternatives 3 and or 4. We oppose Alternatives 3 and 4 and support either Alternatives 1 or 2 (including required safety improvements to the sledding hill). Alternative 2 reflects what was presented to the voters in Proposition 3 "upgrading and maintaining public golf facilities."
The First Tee in partnership with MOA Parks and Recreation has appeared before the Parks and Recreation Commission at least four times. Since First Tee last presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission there are five new commission members who need to be educated on the public's opposition to changes in RJSP.
Northeast Anchorage is the most densely populated area of Anchorage. RJSP is unique in its proximity to the City Center. It encompasses at least five community council districts and it is a park that the residents of this area want to preserve and maintain for future generations. The Anchorage 2020 Comprehensive Plan designates all of the wooded area of RJSP as preservation area. Northeast Anchorage's current undisturbed natural spaces are and will continue to be eliminated. Additions such as the new east Anchorage box stores, the APU hotel, the UAA/APU sports complex, and the proposed Bragaw extension will significantly reduce and dilute the current undisturbed natural spaces in Northeast Anchorage. As these additions occur RJSP will remain the last uninterrupted open green space in Northeast Anchorage.
There will be only one more meeting where you can testify before the Parks and Recreation Commission. In addition to oral comments before the Commission; the Commission also solicits written comments.
Thank you for taking an interest in the future of Russian Jack Springs Park, knowing that the time and effort we put in today will leave a permanent footprint behind for generations that follow us long after we are gone.
To show your support to preserve Russian Jack Springs Park, please take a few moments to join the "Friends of Russian Jack Springs Park" email list. Simply send a blank email to friendsofrjsp-subscribe@googlegroups.com.
