Kincaid Outdoor Center
Kincaid Park is situated among 1,400 acres of rolling, forested hills and beautiful scenery. Visitors are treated to spectacular views of Mt. Susitna across Cook Inlet; Fire Island; Denali and Mt. Foraker to the north; and (we think) the best sunsets in Anchorage! Many species of wildlife roam free within the park; so look for black and brown bears; moose; bald eagles; and a host of smaller wildlife like snowshoe hares, the occasional river otter, and songbirds.
Anchorage Parks & Recreation manages the Kincaid Outdoor Center, located at the west end of Raspberry Road in Kincaid Park. Here, the public may access restrooms and common areas for day use.
Kincaid Park is a popular venue for sporting events. To date, 25 major events have been held in the park, including: national level competitions for the selection of the U.S. Olympic Teams for Nordic skiing Special Olympics; Alaska Ski for Women, the largest womens-only ski race in the country; the National Masters Nordic Skiing Championships; and the NCAA National Nordic Skiing Championships.
Kincaid's 60 kilometers of interwoven trails, of which nearly 20 kilometers are lighted, play host to four seasons of biking, hiking, biathlon, triathlon, walking, running, and skiing activities and competitions. Additionally, access to the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is within easy reach of the Outdoor Center.
Ski programs for adults and children are available December to March. Contact Kincaid staff at 907-343-6397 for more information.
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Dr. Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Springs Park
Selkregg Chalet is situated within the 300 acre park, one of the oldest city parks transferred from BLM in 1948. Other facilities located in the park include the Mann Leiser Memorial Greenhouse within the Municipal Greenhouse Complex, Cartee and RJS Softball Complexes, soccer fields, tennis courts, picnic/playground areas laced with nine miles of bike/ski trails.The park has a colorful history. Jacob Marunenko, a Russian immigrant who arrived in 1915 homesteaded the location of the park in the early 1930’s. He became known as Jake Marchin or "Russian Jack". During World War II, the army needed expansion areas. The homestead reverted back to the federal government control. Later in 1948 it was given to the city with intent to be a park. In the interim, the area of the greenhouse and golf course became a minimum security prison farm for APD housing inmates who committed minor offences involving alcohol. The "Prison Farm" was known for its vegetables, particularly cabbages and potatoes grown there until the early 60’s. It was also the city’s water source in case of an emergency. With demands for recreation growing the prison farm was moved in 1968 and is now known as the Clithrow Center.
The park chalet, like many facilities in the park system, leads a double role. In the winter the Chalet serves as a meeting place for ski classes, Junior Nordic League and Ski Patrol, and is a warm up lodge for the sledders and skiers as well as rental space for weddings and parties. In the summer, the chalet becomes the club house for the 9 hole golf course, hosting weddings and parties, with the ski trails turning into trails used for biking, walking, jogging and special events.
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