Denali State Park Trail Management Plan

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR), has initiated a planning process to create Denali State Park’s first Trail Management Plan. The Alaska State Legislature created Denali State Park in 1970. The park encompasses about 324,270 acres, the majority of which is undeveloped. The most recent management plan for the park was finalized in 2006 and provides overall guidance for management of park lands and development of recreational facilities, consistent with the park’s Mission Statement and applicable state laws and regulations.

The Denali State Park Trail Management Plan will set forth trail management guidelines and make recommendations for trail development in the park consistent with the park’s management plan and the Division of Parks’ Trail Management Policy.

State Parks staff will be conferring with involved groups and individuals via phone call, teleconference or in-person meetings. If you know of an individual, group or community organization who would be interested in arranging a meeting about the plan, please contact us.

• Identify issues: Identify issues and concerns through a public involvement process. (Written comments due by December 15, 2009)
• Gather information: Throughout the planning process collect information about trails, trail use and any other pertinent material.
• Prepare draft plan*
• Public review of draft plan (with 30-day comment period)
• Review agency and public comments and revise the plan as needed.
• Approve plan: The Director of Parks and Outdoor Recreation approves and signs the plan.
• Adopt and Implement Plan: Plan provides guidance to staff and clarity to public.

*If warranted, a preliminary alternatives document will be prepared first and put out for public review with a 30 day comment period.
NOTE: The entire process is expected to take approximately 16 months.

Summary of Scoping Comments Scoping Comments received through 12/15/09 Scoping Questionnaire Map of Denali State Park hiking trails Denali State Park Trail Management Planning Map Map of Denali State Park groomed snow trail Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Trail Management Policy (March 2009) Denali State Park Management Plan (2006)

For Information on the Planning Process Contact: Claire Holland LeClair, Project Leader E-Mail: claire.leclair@alaska.gov Phone: (907)269-8696