Valley of the Moon Park Master Plan  

Construction Updates

As of the December 2017 the Parking Lot and Lighting has been completed at Valley of the Moon Park. There are some finishing touches to be implemented in the summer of 2018 such as completing parking lot signage and making sure drainage and erosion on site is in operating condition.

Per the 2014 Valley of the Moon Master Plan, this park will receive parking lot improvements, new fencing around the dog park, two ADA accessible pathways to the dog park, lighting in the pavilions and parking lot, a snow storage area, and landscaping. These improvements will be funded from our capital bond improvements.

Please contact Park Planner, Taylor Keegan (KeeganTH@muni.org,) if you have more questions or comments.

610 W. 17th Ave (View Map) 

Anchorage Parks and Recreation is updating the master plan for the Valley of the Moon Park.  To ensure that the updated plan aligns with the desires of the local community, Parks and Recreation is working with an advisory group.     

Link to MASTER PLAN document

BACKGROUND

Valley of the Moon Park is a 21.78 acre community-use park located between downtown and midtown along the Chester Creek Greenbelt.  The park is one of Anchorage's most popular parks and features a playground, two picnic shelters, a community garden, a ball field, a parking lot as well as open space, forest and a stream.   

HISTORY

In 1960, the Municipality acquired the present day Valley of the Moon Park as part of the Chester Creek Greenbelt.  In the years that followed, basic park amenities such as a playground and ball field were developed.

In 1973, Anchorage residents passed a bond measure to build the first four miles of the Chester Creek Bike Trail.  This effort was led by Lanie Fleischer and a handful of dedicated citizens who saw the value in a trail system that would connect children to schools, parks and libraries.

Development of the park continued in the 1970's with the addition of a picnic shelter.  In the mid-80's, the MOA acquired the adjacent property to the east adding another 2.83 acres of wooded area to the park. 

In 2010, the Municipality invested $500,000 worth of improvements in the park.  Parks and Recreation added a second picnic shelter, replaced and upgraded play equipment, improved ADA accessibility, and added landscaping and stream bank restoration. 

PROJECT NEED

Parks and Recreation seeks to address two main issues with the site plan update: 1) overflow parking onto 17th Ave, and 2) to provide formal direction to the off-leash dog area. 

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 

Public engagement is important to any planning project. To ensure that the updated site plan aligns with the desires of the community, Parks and Recreation is working with an advisory group.  The goals of the advisory group are to: 

The final product is a site plan that identifies future improvements and establishes a framework for fundraising.  

Advisory Group Meeting Minutes

Location: Federation of Community Councils (1057 West Fireweed Lane)

• Meeting #1: March 18, 2014 (minutes)
• Meeting #2: April 15, 2014 (minutes)
• Meeting #3: April 29, 2014 (minutes)

Master Plan Approval Process

Parks and Recreation will begin the approval process in fall/winter of 2014.  Parks and Recreation will present the preferred alternative site plan to local Community Councils, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.  The public will have an opportunity for comment at these meetings.  

Community Council Resolutions: North Star CC & South Addition CC

Parks and Recreation Commission meeting: January 8th, 2015

Planning and Zoning Commission meeting: May 11th, 2015

Assembly meeting (off-leash dog park): July 14th, 2015