An overhead view of the Anan Wildlife Observatory's refurbished concept shows the current footprint in faint white hashings, with a leaner structure taking its place overlooking the falls and its bears.
Residents, guides and other users of the facilities at Anan Creek are encouraged to chime in tonight on a conceptualized redesign of its wildlife observatory.
Just to its south on the mainland, Wrangell's most popular tourist attraction provides a unique opportunity to view bears reasonably up close and in the wild. Perched over one of Anan Creek's falls, the earliest portions of the structure date back to the 1960s, with sections added on during the intervening decades under US Forest Service management. Most recently the site has seen improvements to its trail access and enclosure entrance, but the bulk of the structure is reaching the end of its useful life.
The look ahead is being directed by a master plan for the site first developed by the USFS in 2015. During that process a structural observation of Anan's facilities indicated the site would need to be closed in relatively short order for safety reasons, if left as it is. The estimate given now is within five years. Engineers' recommendations were that the site's decking and pavilion be replaced rather than renovated.
This necessity would give USFS an opportunity to redesign the Anan observatory. Wrangell District outdoor recreation planner Dee Galla explained Corvus Design of Juneau has since drawn up a concept for a refigured Anan, within the scope of the master plan.
The earliest part of the structure had been the main shelter, just overlooking the falls. It is at the front and center of the site, and its walls and seating arrangements can make the bear viewing an awkward process.
"Of course it's in the best location," Galla noted.
With the new design, that structure would be placed further back from the main creek overlook, along with a resituated enclosed outhouse. Corvus envisioned transparent roofing for the main shelter, to minimize shady areas. Meanwhile the remaining decking would follow along the overlook, built of red cedar. Infill along the guardrails could be steel mesh to minimize visual interference, while a spiral staircase down to the creekside observation blind could reduce the facility's overall footprint.
In all, the design intends to improve the bear viewing experience, maintain safety and minimize future maintenance needs. As part of a broader project schedule, this spring the conceptual design will be used to obtain final design funding. After that would come the bid process, securing funds for construction and then the final build-out. The process could see completion sometime in 2020 or 2021.
A public presentation of the concept and the process is scheduled for this Thursday evening, inside the Wrangell Ranger District office on Bennett Street at 6 p.m. Comments can be taken on the project, with some room for suggested design alterations.
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