Juneau’s parks & recreation department is planning renovations to Marine Park. Residents are encouraged to send in their ideas.
The survey can be completed online until January 10. The survey asks park-goers as well as nearby business owners how they use it, and what they would like to see in the future.
Michele Elfers is deputy director of parks department. She said that it’s the first stage of a public outreach program recently funded by Juneau Assembly.
She said that the park is getting older and gets more use than it did 20-30 years ago. “We are looking at ways to make it more connected to the seawalk, and into downtown span>
Marine Park was established in the late 1970s. It has been a place of community gathering, a stop for many cruise passengers, and one the few waterfront spaces in Juneau that can be accessed by public transport.
Residents are asked about their desire to have a variety of new amenities such as a covered area, roller skating, and barbecue grills.
It asks residents if they would like a South Seward Street crosswalk. Elfers stated that the crosswalk had been removed from South Seward Street in 2019, due to visibility problems, but city officials are looking at adding it back.
She said that the font-weight of 400 was crucial for the connection between downtown and the waterfront. “Canoes used come to the waterfront and then marched up during Celebration .”
To gather more feedback from the community, the department will hold a series public meetings between February and July. The survey will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 10.
