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Committee eyes Nordic-ski grooming on railroad land; railroad expressed interest in partnership
Summary
A committee member reported scouting approximately five miles of railroad-owned land as a potential groomed Nordic-ski loop. The railroad signaled openness to partnership; the committee set a work session to refine trailhead location, parking and grooming logistics.
Committee member Al reported reconnaissance on railroad-owned land east of the Parks Highway and south of Tri Valley subdivision, identifying roughly five miles of potential groomed Nordic-ski trail that could be maintained with minimal infrastructure. He said the borough contacted the railroad, which indicated a willingness to consider partnership for low-impact winter uses.
Members discussed trail width (to accommodate classic and skate skiing), whether a mulching pass or a single grooming pass could create adequate tread for skate skiing, and how to avoid summer-season impacts by limiting visible long-term footprints on railroad land. Al said his groomer is compatible with the proposed alignments and that some volunteer equipment sharing or local operator involvement could keep maintenance costs low.
Staff and members emphasized early community engagement with residents near the proposed corridor and with school programs that already use Nordic routes, and they agreed to a public in-person work session to develop trailhead parking, user expectations and partnerships before fall grooming.
Next steps: work session scheduled (in-person, public noticed) May 7 at 6 p.m.; staff will invite school representatives and interested operators and gather maps and grooming-equipment specs for the meeting.
