In two weeks, residents will have an opportunity to offer input on Wrangell’s draft outdoor recreation plan, which has outlined a dozen priority projects aimed at enhancing local recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
The draft “Wrangell Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Action Plan” was released in February, after about a year of preparation.
Projects discussed in the plan include extending existing trails on the island, improving outdoor facilities and community recreation programs, as well as creating new outdoor activities such as kayak routes, a high-ropes course and ATV trails.
The goal of the outdoor recreation plan was for the City and Borough of Wrangell to adopt and support it, as well as the USFS and other local organizations that may be able to assist in the recreation programs, said Borough Economic Development Director Carol Rushmore, who was a member of the “core team.”
“So we’re all working from the same plan,” Rushmore said.
The plan also proves there is community support backing the recreation projects, Rushmore said. The March 29 meeting will give the community another opportunity to comment on the drafted plan, she said.
Wrangell had the opportunity to create an outdoor recreation plan through the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Framework. The USFS recreation initiative redirects federal funds that would traditionally go toward timber-related activities in communities like Wrangell, to focus on sustainable outdoor recreation.
Beginning in April, a number of meetings between the public, the City and Borough of Wrangell and USFS representatives took place regarding the recreation plan. A core team of residents and USFS representatives, as well as Wrangell’s Mayor Jeremy Maxand and members of city staff and boards, was identified and helped with the process to create the plan.
Separate surveys focused on outdoor recreation were given to children and adults in the community, as well as tourists in Wrangell. That input helped shape the prioritized projects outlined in the outdoor recreation plan.
According to the 77 adults who participated in the online survey last year, which was used in the creation of the recreation plan, the majority said they would like to see improvements to local trails, campgrounds, parks and better accessibility for people with special needs and elders.
“Adults overwhelmingly said that elderly and physically challenged adults need more access to recreation improvements and opportunities to socialize with others,” the plan states.
Wrangell could become a travel destination for “special-needs populations,” the plan states. This would create a niche market, and may attract tourists to Wrangell, it states. In the plan, tourism is identified as a viable industry for Wrangell that can be expanded with improvements to local recreation opportunities.
“The community’s existing plans and current conversations regarding future economic development opportunities point to tourism as the economic sector with the most growth and community support,” the plan states.
And, by improving Wrangell’s outdoor recreation opportunities for tourists, locals also benefit, according to the plan.
“These same projects, however, can improve quality of life for locals, by providing places for children, families and seniors to recreate throughout the year,” it states.
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