The Trails Advisory Commission on July 28 voted to recommend that the borough accept two parcels donated by the Interior Alaska Land Trust to expand the Iceberg Recreation Area on Chena Ridge.

Trail coordinator Andrea Jacobs told the commission that Iceberg is "currently a roughly 420-acre facility" and that acquiring the two parcels would "expand it by 310 acres for a potential total 730-acre facility." Jacobs said future plans discussed with the land trust include multi-use, non-motorized and motorized trails and interpretive routes, and that a conservation easement would be retained on both parcels.

Owen Guthrie, board president of the Interior Alaska Land Trust, addressed the commission during public comment and thanked commissioners for a prior letter of support; he described the parcels as "a 219-acre lot and a 90-acre lot" acquired to expand and secure trail access. Commissioners discussed location and trail connections; several members said the donation would resolve longstanding access that had been in informal or trespass use.

Commissioners voted to adopt a letter recommending the borough accept the donation and work with the land trust to ensure easement language allows for trail construction. The motion passed with all commissioners present voting in favor.

Jacobs noted the Iceberg master plan (adopted 2007) lists acquisition of adjacent lands as a priority and staff said the parcels include sections currently referenced in the Comprehensive Recreational Trails Plan (Chena Ridge FE Ditch Trails, I-B-5). The conservation easement will remain in place and the land trust has said it will work with the borough to ensure easement language permits the intended trail work.

The recommendation moves to the mayor's office for consideration; any formal transfer, easement design or trail construction would be subject to subsequent borough review and approvals.