The Great Land Trust, a non-profit dedicated to protecting wild places in Alaska, is planning to create a new park in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The future Settler’s Bay Coastal Park will preserve 295 acres of beautiful undeveloped coastal wetlands for the Knik-Fairview Community to explore and enjoy. Take a peek at this gorgeous area that is slated to be open as a public park in 2018!
The Great Land Trust is a non-profit that purchases land for conservation. Since 1995, they have completed 48 conservation projects totaling 50,000 acres.
Brianna Cassens | Great Land Trust
They serve southcentral Alaska including Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Cordova, Kodiak and Afognak Islands. To date, they have saved over 44 miles of salmon streams and 13,000 acres of wetlands.
Jeremiah Millen | Great Land Trust
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The Settler's Bay Coastal Park is one of their current projects. The goal is to purchase the 295 acres of land and create a public park. Great Land Trust plans to purchase the land after they finish fundraising.
DevDharm Khalsa | Great Land Trust
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The land will be purchased by the trust and then donated to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The park will
protect wildlife and the public’s access to the trails, beaches, salt marshes and fish and wildlife habitat.
The uplands are grassy and forested, perfect for trails. There are plans to create trails for walking, hiking, biking, and skiing throughout the drier portion of the land.
Brianna Cassens | Great Land Trust
The salt marsh is a habitat for fish and wildlife and will be open to the public for walking, bird watching, and photography. There are several salmon streams in the area, so there may be fishing access someday.
DevDharm Khalsa | Great Land Trust
Part of the future plans include interpretive signs that teach the public about the wildlife of the wetlands, as well as warning them of the dangers of the adjacent mudflats.
DevDharm Khalsa | Great Land Trust
At high tide, Beluga whales, harbor seals, and other ocean creatures roam the salt marsh. This park will provide residents the opportunity to connect with the ocean right out their back doors.
DevDharm Khalsa | Great Land Trust
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The Settler's Bay Coastal Park will be a beautiful addition to Alaska. With luck, the park will be open to the public by next summer.
