Parks committee pauses recommendation on Tlingit Park transfer, asks for clearer proposal from tribe and borough

The Haines Borough Parks and Recreation Committee on March 11 declined to make a recommendation on a proposed conveyance of portions of Tlingit Park and instead asked borough staff and the Chilkoot Indian Association (CIA) to provide more detailed information before the committee takes a position.

Elena (committee member) told colleagues she had spoken with tribal leadership and believes “there is interest from CIA in the land being returned to the tribe.” She also warned the committee to consider whether recent borough grant activity could be tied to park planning: “the Haines Borough just got a large grant for child care is my understanding, and whether or not that's gonna be, part of those discussions, is important,” Elena said.

Committee members raised questions about which specific parcels would be affected, whether transfers would include the senior center and preschool property, and how public access and camping would be handled during summer events. Several members—while expressing personal views—said they were not prepared to make a formal recommendation without presentations from borough administration and from CIA. One member noted that opponents are preparing a ballot initiative and urged the committee to get ahead of community concern.

The committee’s chair said the parks committee’s role is to vet recreation issues, collect information and forward a recommendation to the planning commission and borough assembly when appropriate. Members agreed to request that CIA representatives and borough staff appear on a future agenda with parcel-level details and a clear statement of intent before the committee takes further action.

No formal vote to transfer land or to make a recommendation was taken at the meeting; the committee treated the item as pending until additional information is provided.