ANCHORAGE PARK FOUNDATION

Community challenge grants - anchorage park foundation's community challenge grant program supports community-led municipal park and trail improvement projects that benefit the public. This program has two overarching goals: (1) improve anchorage parks, trails and facilities (2) support individuals, neighborhoods, organizations and businesses that value volunteerism and stewardship for public lands.

Neighborhood parks: anchorage park foundation partners with the parks and recreation department and community members for park fix its in neighborhood parks. Parks are selected from improvements based on information collected through park report cards filled out by community volunteers. Each summer several parks are identified for neighborhood fix its, saturday mornings that neighbors, community volunteers, staff and local contractors work together to revitalize parks. From replacing trash cans and play equipment to restoring landscaping and removing graffiti, anchorage park foundation gives parks a lasting new life. Schools on trails: this program is designed to get students outside by empowering anchorage teachers with tools and training to enhance education through outdoor experiences. Connection to nearby parks, trails, and green spaces ignite an adventurous spirit and encourage a love of learning and introduce students to their closest environment. Youth employment in parks (yep)- yep is a 10-week summer program that hires anchorage teens to complete park improvement projects. Teens learn natural resource management job skills by building trails and restoring stream banks while increasing civic engagement, environmental awareness, and leadership skills. Yep is designed to positively engage a new generation of diverse young leaders as conservation stewards of public lands through meaningful job training, employment and education. Health on trails: anchorage park foundation organizes community groups and lead local initiatives and programming for public are the community lead for anchorage's live.work.play community improvement efforts toward trails, implementing connections, facilities, safety and wayfinding improvements to anchorage's 250+ miles of maintained municipal trails. Inclusive play: anchorage park foundation believes that no child should have to sit on the sidelines and watch their peers play. Leveraging the public-private partnership through inclusive play, this program creates outdoor spaces where children and adults of all abilities can play together. Anchorage park foundation works with the community to plan and develop even more inclusive playgrounds in anchorage.