Alaska State Parks has announced 11 construction projects on the Kenai Peninsula in 2025, along with project details so community members and business owners can plan for possible impacts. The announced projects will begin or continue during the upcoming summer, although officials say more concrete dates will be provided as ASP plans for the upcoming season.
The projects are funded by state Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds, Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOS) funds, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF), and the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program through the National Park Service.
Construction is scheduled for Summer 2025.
Projects in the Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA):
- Kenai River Flats. Design is wrapping up for improvements to the existing wayside and river access facility near the Warren Ames Memorial Bridge on Bridge Access Road. Improvements include an elevated walkway with river access stairs and paving the existing wayside parking and turnaround. This project is in partnership with DOT&PF and EVOS funds. Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025.
- Eagle Rock. Design work is in progress to develop the recently acquired Bookey Parcel. The proposed development is intended to increase parking capacity at the Eagle Rock boat launch facility and help prevent parking spillover into the Kenai Spur Highway. Parking will be increased by as much as 60 truck-and-trailer and 68-passenger car parking stalls. The project also includes a roadway and stairs to connect the upper facility with the existing lower facility. The project is funded as a whole by EVOS funding. Construction is scheduled for 2025/2026.
- Big Eddy. Design work is being done to develop and upgrade the Big Eddy facility. The project includes the construction of a new parking facility, paving the main road through the park, replacing the existing elevated walkway and boat dock, and constructing a new elevated walkway with river access stairs. The project is in partnership with ADFG and EVOS funding. Construction is scheduled for 2025/2026.
- Morgan’s Landing. Design is in progress for a project to pave Morgan’s Landing facility, riverbank restoration work, and elevated walkway with river access stairs. Funding for the project was secured from grants with the LWCF grant program and the EVOS Habitat Enhancement program. Construction is scheduled for 2026/2027.
Old Kasilof Landing State Recreation Site. Construction is underway to develop a boat retrieval facility, including parking, a boat retrieval system, trails, scenic overlook, and park amenities. Construction completion is scheduled for Summer 2025. Parking includes 47 stalls for truck-and-trailer vehicles and 12 passenger cars. This project is funded by state funds and an LWCF grant.
Crooked Creek State Recreation Site. Design is progressing for sanitation improvements at Crooked Creek SRS. With CIP funds, the existing dilapidated vaulted toilets will be replaced with concrete vaulted toilets. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2025.
Kasilof River State Recreation Site. Design work is almost complete for a project to pave and stripe the Kasilof River SRS facility. The project aims to enhance user experience and alleviate maintenance burdens at this facility. It is funded by CIP funds and the LWCF grant program. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2025.
Deep Creek Special Recreation Area. The design for improvements to the existing tractor launch is almost complete. Improvements consist of paving and striping to improve tractor launch capacity and traffic flow efficiency. This project is funded by CIP funds and the LWCF grant program. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2025.
Anchor River Special Recreation Area. Design for sanitation improvements at Anchor River SRA is in progress. The improvements include replacing six outdated vaulted toilets with new concrete vaulted toilets, with LWCF funding. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2025.
Anchor River Special Recreation Area. A damage assessment was completed after the recent flood and severe storm events along the Anchor River. Repair work for the damage is estimated at approximately $915,000. Damages include rip rap armoring and slope failure, eroded road/parking embankments, eroded trails, and structural damage on elevated and on-grade walkways. The division is working to secure funding for the repair efforts. Design and construction schedules are unknown currently.
Eveline State Recreation Site. Design is in progress, and with CIP funds, a concrete vaulted toilet will replace the existing, under-capacity pit latrine. Construction is scheduled for Summer 2025.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and improve access for all Alaskans and visitors,” Alaska State Parks said in a press release. “We recognize that these projects can be inconvenient for business owners especially, and we will strive to find alternative access points when needed or warranted.”