HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2026-46KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-46
Sponsored by: Administration
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE KENAI PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER
PLAN.
WHEREAS, in 2025, the City of Kenai hired Corvus Design to assist the City in develop its first Parks
and Recreation Master Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the City and Corvus Design gathered public input through workshops, meetings, and surveys
during the development of the plan; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the draft Parks and Recreation
Master Plan on April 2, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, on May 7, 2026, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended approval of the Parks
and Recreation Master Plan by the Kenai City Council, and
WHEREAS, the Kenai City Council held a public work session and reviewed the draft Parks and
Recreation Master Plan on May 20, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai City Council finds that the Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides a long-term
guide for the development, maintenance, and improvement of parks, recreation facilities, and open
spaces within the City of Kenai; and,
WHEREAS, adoption of the City's first Parks & Recreation Master Plan shows prudent planning for the
development of City Parks and Recreation facilities and is in the best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA:
Section 1. That, The Kenai Parks and Recreation Master Plan is hereby accepted and adopted.
Section 2. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 3RD DAY OF JUNE, 2026.
Henry H. Knackstedt, Mayor
L
I000,
City of Kenai
MEMORANDUM
K E N 4
210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www.kenai.city
TO: Mayor Knackstedt and Council Members
THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager
FROM: Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: May 21, 2026
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2026-46 - Accepting and Adopting the Kenai Parks and
Recreation Master Plan.
The purpose of this memo is to support acceptance and adoption of the Kenai Parks and
Recreation Master Plan developed by the City of Kenai with assistance from Corvus Design. The
Master Plan provides long-term guidance for future parks, recreation facilities, and open space
improvements within the City of Kenai.
The planning process began in 2025 and included public involvement through a kick-off workshop,
public meetings, and an online survey. A public kickoff workshop was held on April 29, 2025, at
the Kenai Visitor Center, followed by an online survey that remained open through May 21, 2025.
A City working group worked with Corvus Design throughout the winter of 2025 and into early
2026 to develop the draft plan, incorporating public input from the workshop, survey, and ongoing
community feedback. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the draft plan during a
regular public meeting on April 2, 2026, and recommended approval on May 7, 2026. The City
Council also reviewed the draft plan during a public work session held on May 20, 2026.
Adoption of the Master Plan establishes a planning document to help guide future project
priorities, grant opportunities, budgeting, and long-term parks and recreation planning efforts.
Adoption of the plan does not approve funding for any specific project identified within the
document. Funding for specific projects will requested through the City's capital funding process.
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City of Kenai
Parks and Recreation Master Plan
PREPARED FOR
City of Kenai
Parks and Recreation Department
PREPARED BY
Corvus Design
ASSISTED BY
Casey Planning and Design
ECI
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to:
• Terry Eubank, City Manager
• Christine Cunningham, Assistant to City
Manager
• Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director
• Jenna Brown, Assistant Parks and
Recreation Director
• Kevin Buettner, Planning Director
• Kenai Parks and Recreation Commission
• Kenai community members, parks and
recreation user groups, and all that helped
guide this master plan.
DOCUMENT DATE
May 7, 2026-Approved by Parks and
Recreation Commission
KENAI
The Best Place To ALASKA
Corvus
Design
Landscape ArchHecWre • Planning • IndasWal Design
CASLYECI
PLtiNN1N
Table of Contents
PROJECT OVERVIEW.................................................................. 4
Introduction................................................................................................ 5
Summary of Recommendations...........................................................10
PARK METRICS...........................................................................12
Benchmarks..............................................................................................13
Kenai Recreation Assets.........................................................................14
Events and Programming.......................................................................16
Staffing......................................................................................................17
FinancialSnapshot..................................................................................18
Parks and Recreation Facility Classifications....................................20
Radiusof Service.....................................................................................30
INVENTORY & RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................... 26
Overview................................................................................................... 27
Facilities....................................................................................................30
Sportsfields..............................................................................................34
Parks& Special Use................................................................................40
Open Land & Natural Space..................................................................68
Trails.......................................................................................................... 76
IMPLEMENTATION....................................................................80
Priorities....................................................................................................81
Funding..................................................................................................... 83
Project Overview
lk.9
.......
.......
MEMEMEN
■■■■■■■
INTRODUCTION
The City of Kenai (City), nestled in the
heart of south-central Alaska on the
Kenai Peninsula, is developing a Parks
and Recreation Master Plan to guide
the City's investment in infrastructure
and recreation in support of its
programming over the next twenty
years.
BACKGROUND
The City of Kenai Parks and Recreation (P&R)
Department oversees a diverse array of parks,
trails, and recreational facilities to enhance
the qual ity of I ife for residents and visitors.
The City maintains parks, miles of trails,
and numerous open spaces and recreation
facilities across the city. These range from
recreation buildings, playgrounds, and sports
fields to special use areas, beaches, grass
strips, and wildlife -viewing areas.
The P&R Department coordinates seasonal
displays, landscaping efforts, and public
events, ensuring the parks remain vibrant and
accessible year-round. They actively support
recreation, conservation, and cultural heritage
through partnerships with local organizations,
volunteers, and the community.
From May to October, the P&R Department
employs seasonal staff to assist with mowing,
landscaping, and prepping sports fields. They
transition to snow clearing, light displays,
and ski trail grooming in the winter. They also
manage flower displays, supported by local
volunteers and vendors.
The City maintains, operates, and performs
capital improvements for:
• Two Building Facilities: Kenai Recreation
Centerand Multi -Purpose Facility.
• Fourteen Parks and Public Spaces: Kenai
Municipal Park, Millennium Square, Scenic
Bluff Overlook, Beaver Creek Park, Old
Town Park, Cunningham Park, 4th Avenue
Park, Leif Hansen Memorial Park, Kenai
Greenstrip, Kenai Community Garden,
Daubenspeck Family Park, Fourth and
Forest Pocket Park, Elson Family Rest Stop,
and Erik Hansen Scout Park.
• Four Playgrounds: Located in four parks
listed above, which include Municipal Park,
Old Town Kenai Park, Beaver Creek Park,
and Kenai Greenstrip.
Fourteen Developed Athletic Fields: Kenai
Little League Fields (three baseball fields
and one softball field), Steve Shearer
Memorial Ball Park (four adult softball
fields), and Kenai Sports Complex (six
regulation -sized soccer fields).
Two Beaches and Two Wildlife Viewing
areas: North Kenai Beach, South Kenai
Beach, Tarbox Wildlife Viewing Platform,
and Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform.
• Four Special Use Areas: Kenai Skate Park,
Eagle Disc Golf Course, Kenai Bark Park, and
the Field of Flowers.
• Maintained Grass Strips: Blue Star
Memorial, Airport Triangle, and main rights -
of -way grass strips within the city.
Cunningham Park boardwalk
• Eight Trail Corridors: Daubenspeck Family
Park Loop Trail, Bernie Huss Memorial
Fitness Trail (Ryan's Creek Trail),Shqui
Tsatnu Trail (Richka Creek), East End Trails,
Lawton Drive Extension, Kenai Ski Trails,
Meeks Trail, and Municipal Park Walking
Trails.
There are other properties operated and
managed bythe Citythat include the Kenai
Municipal Cemetery and Cemetery Expansion
and the City Dock. The City also leases 120
acres of Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund
encumbered land for a privately operated golf
course. The P&R Department does not operate
or perform capital improvements for the
golf facilities. The City does maintain certain
public -use areas on this land, such as ski trails,
in the off-season. The City leases 10 acres to
the Peninsula Oilers Baseball Club for Oiler
Park, forwhich the City is not responsible for
maintenance.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 5
SCOPE OF PROJECT
The City of Kenai is developing a
comprehensive 20-Year Parks and Recreation
Master Plan. This plan will serve as a guiding
document for decision -makers in planning,
maintaining, developing, and rehabilitating
the City's parks, open spaces, and recreation
facilities.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will
be informed by a thorough review of existing
infrastructure and operations, extensive
community and stakeholder engagement,
and an analysis of best practices and financial
considerations. The operational aspects of
the Personal Use Fishery (Dip Net Fishery)
are not included in the scope of the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan; however, supporting
infrastructure will be reviewed, including
parking, access points, and restrooms, and
howthese facilities may intersect with future
park development.
The project will prioritize resident desires
and needs to ensure the development
and maintenance of high -quality, diverse
recreational spaces, including parks, multi-
use areas, facilities, and trails, within the
constraints of the City's annual budget
and Capital Improvement Plan, while also
exploring potential funding strategies,
including grants or bond funding.
The Draft Final Kenai Trails Plan, dated
November 2011, was not formally adopted
bythe city. Trails may be referenced in this
plan, but recommendations are not made. It is
anticipated that a substantial update or a new
trails plan is needed.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will:
• Chart a 20-year course for managing and
developing Kenai's recreation, parks, and
facilities through short, medium, and long-
term plans.
• Prioritize and recommend actions to
improve existing and create new park and
recreation facilities.
• Strategically sequence improvements to
maximize the benefits of parks, recreation
areas, trails, and natural open spaces.
• Use National Recreation and Park
Association (NRPA) metrics to determine
expected facility level of service standards
while validating at the local level.
• Actively involve the community through
surveys, meetings, and focus groups to
ensure broad representation and gauge
funding support.
• Determine staffing levels required to
effectively maintain parks in accordance
with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan's
recommendations.
• Build on existing knowledge by usingthe
current park inventoryand the previous
open space plan.
• Establish clear and measurable goals to
ensure the Parks and Recreation Master
Plan's objectives are achievable and
trackable.
Public meeting receiving input on park needs
6 1 City of Kenai
Kenai River with the City of Kenai and Cook Inlet in the background
mow.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 7
CITY RECREATION ASSETS
The City's recreation assets offer diverse
system of facilities and natural areas to
support a wide range of indoor and outdoor
activities year-round. The City offers year-
round recreation assets that include a
comprehensive system of developed facilities,
such as indoor centers, sporting infrastructure,
trails, and natural open areas, like parks and
water -access points, prioritized ford iverse
public use and environmental stewardship.
�i
0 1 2
Facilities
OKenai Recreation Center
OMulti -Purpose Facility (Ice Rink)
Sportsfields
33 Kenai Little League Field
OSteve Shearer Memorial Ball Park
OKenai Sports Complex
Kenai City Limits
1.1
33 Kenai V -- I , i 10 r .•■I
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IN 31 i
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Map of Kenai and its park and recreation facilities
Parks and Special Use
OMunicipal Park
OLeif Hansen Memorial Park
OErik Hansen Scout Park
OKenai Historic Cabin Park
10 Old Town Park
11 Beaver Creek Park
12 Daubenspeck Family Park
13 Kenai Bark Park
14 4th Avenue Park
15 Cunningham Park
16 Kenai Greenstrip
17 Kenai Community Gardens
18 Kenai Skate Park
19 Elson Family Rest Stop
20 Fourth & Forest Pocket Park
21 Field of Flowers
22 Eagle Disc Golf Course
23 Coral Seymour Memorial Ballpark (Oiler Park)
24 Kenai Municipal Golf Course
25 Kenai Municipal Cemetery & Cemetery
Expansion
26 Kenai City Dock
8 1 City of Kenai
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In addition to the assets listed, the P&R
Open Land or Natural Space Trails Enlargement of Downtown Kenai Department manages or maintains many
other areas in Kenai that are not included in
U Millennium Square 34 Daubenspeck Family Park Loop Trail the recommendations for this plan beyond
28 Scenic Bluff Overlook 35 Bernie Huss Memorial Fitness Trail understanding maintenance and operations:
• Flower boxes, beds, circle planters, and
29 Blue Star Memorial 36 Shqui Tsatnu Trail light pole decorations
30 Tarbox Wildlife Viewing Platform 37 East End Trails • Grounds at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural
Center, Challenger Center of Alaska, City
31 Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform 38 Lawton Drive Extension Dock, and other City -owned facilities.
a39 Kenai North Beach Kenai Ski Trails • Street and highway rights -of -way (Willow
a
Street, Main Street Loop, Airport Way,
33 Kenai South Beach 40 Meeks Trail
Granite Point, Barnacle Way, and Kenai Spur
frontage from Walker Lane to Kenai Sports
41 Municipal Park Walking Trails Complex).
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 9
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
This overview highlights top policies and
recommendations shaped by facility
assessments, public input, best practices,
and leadership insights. These guide future
planning and help prioritize improvements
to the City's parks and recreation assets.
A complete list of priorities is in the
Implementation section of this master plan
and for each I isted park and recreation asset.
GENERAL POLICIES
Overview. The master plan policies
streamlines public land management and
operations, reduces maintenance costs,
enhances user experience, and builds
community partnerships.
Accessibility: Ensure all facilities meet
national accessibility standards. Upgrade
playground safety surfaces to fully
accessible and lower maintenance tiles, and
replace high -traffic pedestrian use areas
that are turf grass with durable, accessible,
low -maintenance paved materials. Ensure
all other areas are accessible.
Facility Consolidation: Centralize shared -
use sports fields and major gathering
spaces to reduce duplicated amenities
and lighten staff workload. Consolidation
improves user experience and cuts
maintenance and operations costs.
Operations and Expectations: Maintain
faciI ities to meet or exceed City and user
expectations for safety, cleanliness, and
quality. Ensure new parks meet these
standards from the start.
• Design Standards: Use uniform signage,
durable structures, and standardized
furnishings to boost safety, reduce
maintenance, and create a cohesive look.
• Inspections: Regularly inspect all
playgrounds and recreation facilities, and
standardize documentation for inspections
and repairs
• Shared Infrastructure: Collaborate with
schools, agencies, and local groups
to support shared use, funding, and
maintenance of recreation facilities used by
the community.
• Funding: Support adequate parks and
recreation fundingthrough local sources
and outside opportunities including grants
and partnerships to maintaining safe, high -
quality public assets and staffing.
• Adaptive Management: Prioritize recreation
investments through adaptive management
by aligning real-time community needs
with diverse funding strategies and realistic
staffing capacity. This approach ensures
project timelines remain flexible and
sustainable, allowingthe Cityto respond
effectivelyto shifting public priorities.
LAND MANAGEMENT
Overview: Optimize public spaces by
adjusting boundaries, zoning, and land assets
strategically.
• Parks District Zoning: Esta b I i s h a
"Parks District" and rezone facilities for
compliance with Kenai's updated land use
code.
• Strategic Disposals: Evaluate disposing
of underutilized park properties (e.g., 4th
Avenue Park and Millennium Square) and
reinvest proceeds appropriately.
• Parcel Consolidation: Merge subdivided
underlying lots (such as the Kenai
Recreation Center) to simplifyfuture site
development.
New Neighborhoods: Evaluate the need
and demand for parks in newer residential
neighborhoods. Secure public parkland
where identified as a need.
10 1 City of Kenai
FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS RECREATION PLANNING NEW FACILITIES
Overview: Invest in facility upgrades that boost
recreation opportunities, safety, and efficiency
while replacing aging features.
• General: Replace or upgrade equipment,
furnishings, and features that are outdated,
nearing end of life cycle, or unsafe.
Priority improvements: These improvements
represent those identified as higher priority
projects over the next ten years.
• Old Town Park and Municipal Park
playground replacements.
• Multi -Purpose Facility interior upgrades,
refrigeration system replacement, and roof
replacement.
• Recreation Center interior upgrades and
remodel.
• Parks and Recreation Shop relocation.
• Phased park improvements at Cunningham
Park, Eagle Disc Golf Course, Leif Hansen
Park, Scenic Bluff Overlook, Municipal Park,
Kenai Wildlife Platform, Tarbox Viewing
Platform, and the Bark Park.
• Interpretive sign replacement at various
parks.
Overview: Use adaptive management and
public input to guide short and long-term
improvements and consolidation of recreation
facilities.
• Site -Specific Studies: Conduct public
master planning for major consolidated
facilities like the expanded Kenai Sports
Complex as an all -fields sports and athletics
facility, and the Kenai Greenstrip and Steve
Shearer Memorial Ball Park as an expanded
community event space.
• Multi -Purpose Facility: Assess the
feasibilityofenclosingthe ice rink and
using it for summer activities.
• Turf Reduction Plan: Identify high -
maintenance turf areas with low use and
develop strategies to reduce maintenance,
including possible disposal.
• Trails Master Plan: Create a comprehensive
plan for a connected, city-wide trail network
that is aligned with this master plan and
community priorities.
• Five -Year Audits: Reassess and adjust the
master plan priorities every five years to
stay aligned with community needs.
Overview: Recommended new parks and
recreation facilities or existing assets with a
significant shift in use, including those that
might be guided bythe recreation planning
efforts identified previously:
• PickleballCourts: New outdoor facilities at
a location to be determined
Kenai Sports Complex: Expand into the
city's primary competitive sports facility by
adding relocated and improved baseball
and softball fields, and centralized support
amenities to the existing rectangular sports
fields.
• Kenai Greenstrip and Steve Shearer
Memorial Ball Park: Merge spaces after
fields relocation to create an expanded and
improved downtown community event and
festival venue.
• Little League Fields and Municipal Park:
Convertvacated ballfields into a seasonal
campground and parking, with a linked trail
network.
• New Neighborhood or Pocket Parks:
New parks within newer residential
neighborhoods, as deemed a priority by the
community and City.
New funding, partnerships, or changing
needs may shift these priorities or make some
improvements more timely or cost-effective.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 11
MEMEMEN
■■■■■■■
Park Metrics
.......
.......
BENCHMARKS
NRPA REPORTING
The National Recreation and Park Association
(NRPA) is a not -for -profit organization that
invests in and champions parks and recreation
across the United States. Their mission is "to
advance parks, recreation and environmental
conservation efforts that enhance the qual ity
of life for all people." Through these efforts,
the NRPA has developed a 2025 NRPA Agency
Performance Review from the NRPA Park
Metrics database to provide those working in
the parks and recreation industry benchmark
for facilities and programming within a
community.
Level of Service (LOS) is a national standard of
park types based on park size and the number
of park facil ities a community should offer its
residents, depending on the population. The
2025 NRPA Agency Performance Review,
summarizes the national average findings fora
typical parks and recreation department, and is
highlighted in the infographic to the right. Note
that smaller communities will yield different
findings, and these represent national averages.
LEVEL OF SERVICE ASSESSMENT
The LOS assessment will use the City's
population of 7,614 to determine the LOS for
various recreation facilities offered by the City
of Kenai. The population is based on data from
the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development
District. An inventory of recreation assets will
not be conducted for communities adjacent
to Kenai; as a result, the populations of these
communities will not be included in this
assessment.
Operating expenditures
r e%r r-Ariit-A
per 1,000 residents
Share of full-time staff dedicated
to operations/maintenance
J 0 8t
.4-4
expenditures
2025 NRPA Agency Performance Review Key Findings, (https://
www. nrpa. orglsiteassetslresearchl2024-agency-performance-
review.pdf)
lumber of programs
offered annually
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 13
KENAI RECREATION ASSETS
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
The City manages 15 developed parks,14
athletic fields, four special -use areas, and two
beaches, totalling approximately 364 acres.
Additionally, the City manages two wildlife
viewing areas, two recreation buildings,
and numerous maintained grass strips and
undeveloped public sites.
Accordingto median numbers found in the
NRPA Park Metrics for communities with
populations of less than 20,000 and using
the City's population of 7,614, the following
metrics are met;
Metric: One park per 1,001 residents or Z6
parks.
• The City offers 31 parks and special -use
areas or facilities, or one park per 246
residents.
Metric: 12.9 acres of parkland per 1,000
residents.
• The City offers approximately 47.9 acres of
parkland per 1,000 residents.
At present, Kenai exceeds the national median
for parks and acres of parkland; however, they
are also used by surrounding communities.
Additionally, Goal 6 in the 2016 City of Kenai
Comprehensive Plan calls out, "Ensure that
Kenai has excellent parks and recreational
facilities and opportunities." This indicates
that providing recreation facilities is a priority,
as reflected in the numberof facilities.
OUTDOOR PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES
Facility pe Recommended Number in
h WLacilities per Population
Playground (ages 5-12) 1 per2,345 5
Status
Met
Tot lots (ages 2-5)
1 per 5,000
2
Met
Playgrounds with inclusive structures
1 per 5,165
2
Met
Basketball Court*
1 per4,479
4
Met
Diamond Fields
1 per1,958
8
Met
Rectangular Fields
1 per 2,578
4
Met
Tennis Courts*
1 per 3,500
4-
Met
Dog Park
1 per10,188
1
Met
Community Garden Plots
1 per 8,800
1
Met
Swimming Pool
1 per9,745
2-
Met
Skate Park
1 per10,776
1
Met
Pickleball Courts*
1 per 3,483
0
Deficit
Volleyball Courts*
1 per7,057
1
Met
Fitness Zones+
1 per 8,274
0
Met
Multiuse CourtsA
1 per 3,900
N/A
N/A
Splash Pads+
1 per 13,391
N/A
N/A
Multiuse Racquet CourtsA
1 per4,659
N/A
N/A
Walking/Running Tracks+
1 per6,129
1 -
Met
Disc golf courses
1 per 9,402
2
Met
18-hole golf courses
1 per11,904
1
Met
Synthetic Fields+
1 per11,028
1-
Met
Ice Rink
1 per8,338
1
Met
Water Parks
1 per 17,125
N/A
N/A
Racquetball/Handball/Squash Courts
1 per14,000
N/A
N/A
*Dedicated to a single sport (not multiuse). +Fitness zones/exercise stations; splash pads/spraygrounds/spray
showers; walking/runningtracks/loops; synthetic rectangular fields. AMultiuse courts: basketball, volleyball, etc.;
Multiuse racquet courts: tennis, picklebalI, etc. (excluding racquetball/handball/squash courts). —Pub I ic facilities
managed by agencies other than the City.
14 1 CityofKenai
4
k==__.' .
Meeks Trail
Daubenspeck Family Park
CITY PARK FACILITIES
The City provides the traditional role of
operating parks and related facilities, and
providing recreation programming and
services. Typical park and recreation agencies
serving populations of less than 20,000 often
operate three buildings. The City operates two
buildings: the Kenai Recreation Center and the
Multi -Purpose Facility.
According to the NRPA, three in five agencies
have recreation centers and community
centers. Other common indoor facilities
include senior centers, performance
amphitheaters, and nature centers. Similar
facilities operate in or near Kenai and are
operated by other agencies.
The table on the previous page summarizes
the 2025 NRPA Agency Performance Review
recommended park and recreation facilities
for communities with populations of less
than 20,000. Keeping in mind that these are
national standards, and that some of these
facilities would not be expected in an Alaskan
community, such as splash pads and water
parks. Other facilities typically found outdoors
are often found indoors in recreation buildings
or schools to al low year-round use, including
racquet courts, volleyball courts, multi -use
courts, and other sports courts. These are
indicated as N/A in the table.
Like many small Alaska communities, the
City is not the only agency providing outdoor
(and indoor) park and recreation facilities.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
also provides park and recreation facilities
that serve Kenai and the larger region. School
District facilities are primarily for student
use, but in the off -hours, many can be
used by the community and accommodate
community use in their scheduling. These
major recreation facilities, managed by others,
include swimming pools, synthetic fields,
tennis courts, and rectangular fields. Facilities
managed by agencies other than the City are
indicated in the table with (-).
When including school facilities, the table
to the left indicates that the City of Kenai
is meeting many of the parks and facilities
guidelines for a community of its size, with
a deficiency of pickleball courts. New courts
could be developed in partnership with the
School District at existingtennis courts.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 15
EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING
The P&R Department hosts programs year-
round and partners with local organizations
and volunteers to provide a broader range of
recreational opportunities. The City supports
community -led efforts by offering space,
equipment, logistical assistance, or event
coordination. This collaborative approach
provides greater opportunities to use public
park and recreation facilities.
EVENTS
Events Operated by the City
The City of Kenai independently hosts seven
events each year in Kenai includingthe Easter
Egg Hunt, Family Free Skate, Kite Festival,
Fall Pumpkin Festival, Skate with Santa, Kenai
Planting Days, and the Community Clean -Up.
Events Supported by the City
The P&R Department supports the following
events through logistical support or by
providing supplies, staffing, promoting, or site
maintenance. These events include the 4th
of July Parade & Festival, Dipnet Fest, Kenai
Firecracker Softball Tournament, Industry
Days, Kenai Airfair, Kenai Animal Fair, Solstice
Ski & Relay for Life, Solstice Run, Kenai River
Marathon, Silver Salmon Derby, Elk Hoop
Shoot, and the Memorial Day with American
Legion Post 20.
PROGRAMS
Programs Operated by the City
The P&R Department operates the Kenai City
League Basketball program, a self -officiated
adult basketball league with 6-8 teams per
season. Games are managed by the players
themselves, with referees and scorekeepers
present only during the championship game.
The P&R Department also operates the
Community Garden Program, which allows
residents to rent garden beds for personal
gardening.
Shared Programs Hosted by the City
There are three programs that are hosted by
the P&R Department: Indoor Youth Rugby
Skills Clinic, Valentine's Wallyball Tourney,
and the Weekly Circuits with Kenai Fitness
Collective.
Open Programming at the Kenai
Recreation Center
These drop -in programs are unsupervised,
with basic equipment and posted rules
provided. All skill levels are welcome;
participants are expected to rotate fairly
and uphold sportsmanship. These programs
include Play& Move Toddler Time, Lap
Walking, Open Pickleball, Open Volleyball,
Open Basketball, Open Rugby, and Open
Dodgeball.
Kenai Kite Festival
IN
16 1 City of Kenai
STAFFING
According to the 2025 NRPA Agency
Performance Review, park and recreation
agencies serving jurisdictions of fewer than
20,000 residents have a median of13.8 full-
time equivalent (FTE) on staff, or6.0 FTEs in
lower quartile jurisdictions. When looking at
these numbers, it is important to note that the
ratio of FTEs to residents for populations of
less than 20,000 is approximately 13.7 FTEs
per 10,000 residents, or 7.0 FTEs per 10,000
residents in lower quartile jurisdictions. As
of 2023, the City's population was 7,614,
indicating the P&R Department should have
10.4 FTEs on staff to meet the national median.
Currently, the P&R Department employs 10.79
FTEs. Although this exceeds the national
standard based on population, they also
manage 47.9 acres of parkland per 1,000
residents, which is more than triple the
national median acreage for a community of
comparable size (see page 12), supporting
Kenai's staffing levels above the national
standard.
Full-time staff support programming,
facilities, and other services to help ensure
safe, inclusive places are accessible to all
community members. In Kenai, these efforts
are augmented by the use of part-time and
seasonal staff, which expands capacity during
peak demand and supports year-round
operations.
The P&R Department has the following staff
numbers as of 2025:
• Five FTE on staff:
• Director (1): Oversees the P&R
Department.
• Assistant Director (1): Directly oversees
the Kenai Recreation Center and the
personal use fishery.
• P&R Maintenance Technician (2):
Responsible for maintenance and
landscaping duties across the
department's facilities and parks.
• Laborer (1): Supports maintenance
operations.
• Six part-time staff members forthe Kenai
Recreation Center:
• Part -Time Recreation Center Workers (6):
Operate the Kenai Recreation Center's
front desk, handle transactions, and
manage facility cleaning. These staff are
supervised by the Assistant Director.
• Ten seasonal staff from May to October:
• Seasonal Maintenance Workers (10):
H ired to manage increased workload
during the summer months, including
landscaping, mowing, trail maintenance,
and other seasonal tasks.
Wallyball at the Recreation Center
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 17
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT
OPERATING EXPENDITURES
Operating expenditures include personnel
services and operating expenses (e.g.,
program expenses, utilities, maintenance,
transportation), capital expenses not in the
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and other
expenses. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget
for the P&R Department is $486,032 for
operations and $824,763 for personnel,
for a total of $1,310,795, with an additional
$120,000 for capital improvement projects.
Expenditures over $35,000 are included in
the City's CIP, which Public Works prepares.
A capital improvement project is generally a
one-time expenditure exceeding $35,000,
with a useful life of more than one year, or
major project tied to long-range planning
or development. The smaller projects under
$35,000 are submitted in February to the
budget that is finalized in June.
Municipal Park playground
The NRPA 2025Agency Performance Review
benchmarks the median annual operating
budget for communities with fewer than
20,000 residents at $1,452,000. The lower
quartile benchmark forthis same population
range is $665,000.
If reviewing operating expenditures per
acre of park and non -park sites, the median
operating expenditures for a community of
less than 20,000 is $9,512 per acre. The lower
quartile budget is $3,446 per acre for that
same population range. The P&R Department
operating expenditures are $3,601 per acre
based on the City's approximately 364 acres
of developed parkland. Although this total is
below the national median of$9,512 per acre,
Kenai's acreage is more than triple the national
average of developed parkland (see page 12),
and must be considered when applying this
standard.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PLANNING
Annually, the City develops the five-year
CIP in coordination with input from all City
departments, the administration, advisory
commissions, and the City Council, for long-
range capital improvement planning and
budgeting. The CIP is reviewed with all City
departments, the administration, and advisory
commissions, beginning in September and
then brought forward to City Council forfinal
approval. The annual budget, which captures
smaller projects not included in the CIP, is
finalized in June.
The City's CIP for FY 2026-2030 budget is
$6,370,000 for parks and recreation projects.
Of this, City fundingwilI cover $2,290,000
(35.95%), with the P&R Department needing
to secure outside funding to coverthe
remaining $4,080,000.
The NRPA 2025Agency Performance Review
benchmarks the five-year capital budget
spending for communities of less than 20,000
at $2,212,000 (median) or $808,000 (lower
quartile).
18 1 City of Kenai
FUNDING
Parka nd recreation agencies gain funding
through a variety of sources. Forth e average
agency, 63% of available funds come from
general fund tax support/appropriations, 20%
from earned revenue, 8% from special taxes
orvoter-approved levies, and 9%from other
sources. In comparison, the P&R Department
receives 83.7% general fund tax support/
appropriations and 16.3% from earned
revenue, with 0% from special taxes orvoter-
approved levies.
According to the 2025 NRPAAgency
Performance Review, park and recreation
agencies serving populations of less than
20,000 people recover 31.1% (median)
or16.3% (lower quartile) of their annual
operating expenditures from non -tax revenue.
Based on the FY2024 expenses summary,
16.62% of the P&R Department expenses
($1,192,131) were covered by revenue
($198,110) that was generated by fees from
the Kenai Recreation Center sales ($60,014),
the Multi -Purpose Facility use ($137,816),
and park rentals ($280). Based on the NRPA
benchmarks, the City meets the lower quartile
targets for non -tax revenue generation.
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE
All park and recreation agencies expect to
have some deferred maintenance projects.
This can be due to a lack of funding, time,
resources, and/or available staff. Fora
community of less than 20,000, the median
estimated cost for deferred maintenance
projects is $125,000. The P&R Department
does not currently have a deferred
maintenance list.
Leif Hansen Memorial Park with its flower lined pathway
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 19
PARK & RECREATION FACILITY CLASSIFICATIONS
CLASSIFICATIONS
The NRPA park classifications and radius of
service (ROS) provide a flexible framework
and valuable resources for communities to
develop tailored park categories and service
levels. Recognizing that each community is
unique, these NRPA guidelines are typically
adapted based on geographical, cultural, and
socioeconomic factors to create a park system
that best serves its residents.
Therefore, fora community like Kenai,
developing effective park classifications and
service levels requires a thorough assessment
of its demographics, environmental
conditions, existing park inventory, and the
specific needs and desires of its residents.
Considering Kenai's vast natural landscapes,
smaller population centers, and strong focus
on outdoor recreation is critical to planning,
Municipal Park playground
managing, and advocating for a park system
that truly meets the diverse needs and reflects
the unique identity of the Kenai community.
For each park classification, the following
pages include a general description of the
classification, a typical size range, ROS, and
list of parks and facilities that fall within that
classification. Park sizes are guidelines for
park planning purposes. Many Kenai parks
include large tracts of undeveloped parkland
that exceed the size guidelines. The list of
amenities is not meant to be prescriptive or
exhaustive. The appropriate amenities for any
individual park or recreation facility should be
determined through a regular master planning
process that involves the community it is
meant to serve. All parks and facilities should
be designed to serve multiple age segments
and a diversity of users.
REGIONAL PARK
COMMUNITY PARK
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
o;
POCKET PARK
o SPECIAL USE PARK
OR FACILITY
OPEN LAND OR
NATURAL SPACE
20 1 City of Kenai
REGIONAL PARK
Regional parks serve a broader region and
provide diverse recreational experiences. They
may include significant natural resource areas,
large-scale facilities, and amenities such as
hikingtrails, boat launches, fishing access
points, campgrounds, wildlife viewing areas,
nature centers, and interpretive signage. A
regional park may have sports field complexes
and indoor recreation facilities (aquatic
centers or gymnasiums), and have supporting
facilities including covered picnic areas,
playgrounds, multi -family day -use facilities,
and can include educational experiences.
Currently, the City does not have a true
regional park, as most existing parks serve
more localized or neighborhood needs.
However, with strategic investments in
amenities, expanded facilities, and thoughtful
development, several of Kenai's parks have the
potential to evolve into regional destinations.
Enhancements such as larger recreational
fields, trail connections, picnic and gathering
areas, and unique attractions could broaden
their appeal and serve a wider portion of the
community, positioning them as significant
recreational hubs forthe region.
Kenai Little League Field
COMMUNITY PARK
Community parks serve several adjoining
neighborhoods, attracting residents from a
relatively large area. They are larger and more
diverse than a neighborhood park and meet
community -based recreation, athletic, and
open space needs.
A community park can often include amenities
found in neighborhood parks, as well as
facilities for more organized activities like
athletic fields, swimming pools, ice rinks,
and community centers. Amenities within a
community park can include park shelters
or pavilions that could be rented for events,
larger playgrounds, walking paths or access
to trails, and picnic areas. Accessible parking
should be provided, as well as indoor
accessible bathrooms and site lighting.
In Kenai, community parks are larger parks
that serve the whole city. They include sports
fields, courts, large playgrounds, and open
spaces for events and gatherings. While they
may not have all the land or amenities of a
regional park, they still offer plenty of space,
multiple uses, and serve a large portion of the
community.
Radius of Service
Up to 6.0 miles.
Kenai Community Parks
• Kenai Sports Complex (18.94 acres)
• Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park (14.48
acres)
• Kenai Little League Field (12.78 acres)
• Kenai Greenstrip (5.56 acres)
• Municipal Park (34.56 acres)
• Daubenspeck Family Park (7.09 acres)
Kenai Sports Complex
Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park
Municipal Park
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 21
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
Neighborhood parks serve the needs of
residents within walking distance of their
homes and are intended to serve as a
neighborhood's recreational and social focus.
They should strike a balance between passive
and active recreational opportunities. Larger -
sized parks tend to have a mix of developed
parcels with areas for natural open space.
A neighborhood park can be developed for
field or court games with open play fields,
basketball courts, or other sports courts. They
can also have smaller playgrounds, picnic
areas, and small park shelters. They often have
limited facilities and either minimal parking or
on -street parking.
In Kenai, neighborhood parks serve a broader
area than mini -parks and a smaller area than
community parks, providing multiple uses
such as playgrounds, courts, small sports
fields, and multiple recreation components.
They are designed to be accessible to most
residents in the neighborhood, often within a
short drive orwalking distance, and support
daily recreation forfamilies and community
members.
Radius of Service
Up to 1.0 mile.
Kenai Neighborhood Parks
• Old Town Park (1.11 acres)
• Beaver Creek Park (5.23 acres)
• 4th Avenue Park (3.75 acres)
POCKET PARK
Pocket parks provide spaces for residents to
enjoy few minutes outside and are great ways
to enhance access to walkable recreational
amenities, particularly on sites not suitable
for other uses, such as small, irregular plots of
land.
Pocket parks cater to concentrated
populations and are often a part of urban
regeneration efforts. They can include
seating elements, public art or monuments,
playgrounds, picnic areas, community gardens,
or court games such as bocce or ping pong.
They are often located in areas that do not
require parking and are accessed by foot or
bicycle.
In Kenai, several parks function as pocket
parks, providing small-scale recreational
spaces that serve nearby neighborhoods.
These parks are typically under 5 acres and
offer amenities such as playgrounds, picnic
areas, and open green spaces, making them
ideal for short visits and informal recreation.
Radius of Service
Up to 0.5 miles
Kenai Pocket Parks
• Erik Hansen Scout Park (0.64 acres)
• Elson Family Rest Stop (0.72 acres)
• Fourth & Forest Pocket Park (0.21 acres)
Beaver Creek Park
Erik Hansen Scout Park
22 1 City of Kenai
SPECIAL USE PARK OR FACILITY
Special use parks orfaciIities are unique
outdoor or indoor spaces developed to serve
a primary purpose that typically serve the
entire community. While they provide general
recreation, they don't always fit neatly into
other park classifications. These facilities
often focus on specific activities or interests,
such as sports, dog parks, or unique outdoor
experiences, while still remaining open to the
broader public.
Radius of Service
Varies depending on specific use
Kenai Special Use Park or Facility
• Eagle Disc Golf Course (10.93 acres)
• Kenai Bark Park (1.57 acres)
• Leif Hansen Memorial Park (3.5 acres)
• Kenai Skate Park (0.86 acres)
• Kenai Historic Cabin Park (1.01 acres)
• Coral Seymour Memorial Ballpark (Oiler
Park) (10.0 acres)
• Kenai Municipal Golf Course / Kenai Ski
Trails (119.7 acres)
• Kenai Recreation Center (1.56 acres)
• Multi -Purpose Facility (7.26 acres)
• Field of Flowers (3.03 acres)
• Kenai Municipal Cemetery & Cemetery
Expansion (7.13 acres)
• Kenai City Dock (12.54 acres)
• Cunningham Park (2.16 acres)
• Kenai Community Garden (1.25 acres)
OPEN LAND OR NATURAL SPACE
Open lands or natural spaces are dedicated
to protecting natural resources, historic
landscapes, visual beauty, and biodiversity.
Alternatively, these can also be maintained
as undeveloped green strips. Recreation use
in these areas is often secondary and limited
to passive activities such as enjoying nature,
studying wildlife habitat, fishing, or hiking on
trails. These are properties with few or no built
amenities and are dominated by open spaces
and natural features.
In Kenai, open lands and natural spaces
encompass a variety of undeveloped or
minimally developed areas that prioritize
conservation, wildlife habitat, and passive
recreation. These spaces offer residents and
visitors opportunities for activities such as
hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and enjoyingthe
natural beauty of the region.
Radius of Service
Varies depending on specific use.
Kenai Open Land or Natural Space
• Millennium Square (7.08 acres)
• Tarbox Wildlife Viewing Platform
• Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform
• Scenic Bluff Overlook (4.03 acres)
• Blue Star Memorial (1.0 acres)
• North Beach (32.81 acres)
• South Beach (32.62 acres)
Kenai South Beach
Kenai North Beach
Kenai Historic Cabin Park
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 23
RADIUS OF SERVICE
RADIUS OF SERVICE ANALYSIS
The NRPA provides a flexible system of metrics,
offering abase I in e that communities can
adjust based on their unique characteristics.
The NRPA metrics are not a one -size -fits -
all approach, and applying them to Kenai
highlights some limitations due to the city's
geography and connectivityvia roads and bike
paths.
For example, Municipal Park sits next to the
ocean, meaning half of its ROS extends into
the water. The NRPA standard is a 3-mile
radius for community parks, and this park
serves a greater range than the standard due
to the fact that it is connected to multiple large
neighborhoods by paved roads, sidewalks,
and bike paths. Similarly, Beaver Creek Park,
located on the edge of Kenai, serves a broader
population through the Unity Trails network
and the Kenai Spur H ighway. A simple circular
radius does not accurately reflect its service
area.
To better represent the real ROS provided
by Kenai's parks, the citywill use the NRPA
framework but double the standard ROS after
careful review.
Forthe most part, the community is well
served by community parks. However,
several residential neighborhoods are not
well served by local neighborhood parks that
include playgrounds. Focus should be placed
on neighborhoods with higher residential
densitywith children, expanding and new
neighborhoods, and those that are not
currently served by school playgrounds that
provide recreation opportunities after school
hours.
North Beach access across the sand dunes
Residential neighborhoods that may benefit
from the development of a neighborhood or
pocket park with play equipment include:
• Channel Way Neighborhood (expanding
neighborhood)
• Kaknu Way Neighborhood
• Rogers Road Neighborhood
• VIP Drive Neighborhood
• Woodland Subdivision
• Inlet Woods
• 1st and 2nd Street
• Valhalla Heights
• Shoreline Heights
• Central Heights
Forthe following neighborhoods, the City . Three W's Subdivision
should conduct local outreach to determine
the need for a new park, and if needed, the
appropriate facilities for each. Prioritize those
neighborhoods with the greatest need.
24 1 City of Kenai
Fishing in Cook Inlet
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 25
Inventory & Recommend ations
.......
.......
OVERVIEW
PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES
The City's current recreational offerings largely
meetthe needs of its community, supported
bythoughtfully located parks that serve many
existing neighborhoods; however, based on
public input and guidance from the NRPA, there
is a clear need fordedicated pickleball courts
to meet growing demand. In addition, the City
should initiate a public process to formally
prioritize locations for future neighborhood
parks to ensure equitable access as Kenai
continues to grow, and to prioritize capital
investment in the Kenai Recreation Center and
Kenai Multi -Purpose Facilityto maintain service
levels and address aging infrastructure.
Erik Hansen Scout Park, looking over the Kenai River
Strategic Focus for Community Parks
A key priority is to designate specific uses
for Kenai's parks, creating focused and
exceptional spaces. There is an opportunity to
focus on specific uses in select areas, resulting
in less maintenance and operations and
improvingthe userexperience.
The Kenai Greenstrip offers a large open
space for public events, but its limited
dedicated facilities require significant setup
and operational effort. Similarly, Millennium
Square also hosts community events with
no permanent supporting infrastructure.
Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park, Kenai
Little League Fields, and the Kenai Sports
Complex are focused sports fields, each
requiring support facilities, maintenance, and
operations at multiple locations.
By strategically consolidating recreation uses
and avoiding duplication across several parks,
Kenai can create more efficient and impactful
recreation spaces. Imagine the benefits if
all competitive sports fields are relocated to
the Kenai Sports Complex. This streamlines
maintenance and operations, consolidates
supporting facilities, and enhances the overall
athletic experience.
With the ballfields relocated, the Kenai Little
League Fields become a vibrant hub for
recreation activities and the Kenai Greenstrip
is enhanced into a facility for major community
events, with flexible, expansive open space.
The City achieves operational savings and
maintenance efficiencies by consolidating
staff, equipment, and supporting
infrastructure to a single, high -use location.
An Exciting Future for Kenai's Parks
Through the implementation of this master
plan, Kenai has the exciting opportunityto
provide the necessary recreation facilities,
prioritize and improve the user experience,
and rebrand its parks and recreation facilities.
Bytaking a strategic approach to development
and consolidating specific uses, the City can
create vibrant public spaces that serve Kenai
more effectively and become sources of civic
pride.
There are opportunities to consolidate
resources through strengthening community
partnerships. For example, the school district
maintains sports fields and a pool, which may
be at risk of closure. Ratherthan duplicating
facilities, the City could work with the district
and other partners to share existing spaces,
coordinate use, and support the public. While
the City would not take on the direct operation
of schools or other community facilities,
collaboration allows all parties to maximize
what already exists and provide better access
and value to Kenai residents.
It is essential to create and adopt a new trails
master plan for Kenai that also considers
recommendations in this master plan and
establishes the desired community -wide
trail network. The trails plan, when developed
alongside the parks and recreation plan, will
result in both plans serving as vital tools for
the City, helping to identify priorities and
enhance its exceptional parks and recreation
opportunities.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 27
MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
One of the key findings is the significant
maintenance needs of the existing parks
and recreation facilities, especiallyfor parks
and sports fields. The City's commitment
to maintaining large areas of turf grass is
a significant undertaking for many of its
parks, where the grassed areas primarily
provide aesthetic benefits and are not used
extensively for recreation. It is recommended
that the P&R Department implement a turf
reduction strategy in non -essential areas and
replace high -traffic, failingturf with durable,
hardened surfacing (e.g., pavers, concrete, or
compacted gravel) to increase accessibility
and significantly reduce ongoing maintenance
effort and cost.
Additionally, consolidating sports fields in
one location will reduce maintenance and
create a single place well served by supporting
amenities, including restrooms, concessions,
maintenance sheds and equipment, storage,
and other needs to support the sports fields'
use and maintenance.
Playgrounds throughout the City have loose,
shredded safety surfacing and require regular
inspections and maintenance to ensure the
surfacing is at the proper depth. While this
is an acceptable, cost-effective material, it
requires significant maintenance (in some
cases, daily). Updating playground surfacing
to more expensive safetytiles (or poured -in -
place surfacing) would significantly reduce
maintenance and likely yield long-term cost
savings. However, replacing surfacing is a large
investment and reinvesting in new surfacing
should be considered when playgrounds are
replaced or improved.
PARK STANDARDS
Standardized park signage, along with the
development of uniform design and product
standards for parks and playgrounds, offers
significant benefits for both users and City
staff. Signage standards creates a cohesive
and intuitive system across different park
and recreation facilities, ensuring visitors can
quickly and easily find amenities, understand
park regulations, and navigate trails and larger
parks through wayfinding, thereby creating a
positive user experience.
Establishing standards for park products,
including play equipment, site furnishings,
and safety surfaces, is crucial for safety
compliance, ensuring durability against heavy
use and weather, and ultimately reducing
long-term maintenance costs. Standardized
products (e.g., benches and trash cans) allow
the City to keep replacement products on
hand fortimely repair or replacement. This
consistency not only protects the public and
lowers liability but also helps maintain a
positive identity for Kenai's park system.
Many park structures including covered picnic
areas, restrooms, pavilions, and buildings
that support sports fields are nearingthe
end of their life cycle or require renovations.
Developing a durable and vandal resistant
design standard for these structures will
help reduce maintenance and enhance the
user experience. Specific recommendations
for park structures are outlined in each park
description.
FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION LANDS
The City maintains some properties that are
subject to Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) restrictions when the property was
deeded to the City. These restrictions generally
deal with airspace and non -obstruction
of approach and navigation routes. It is
recommended that major recreational
facilities should be limited on these
properties; instead, focusing on lower -cost
facilities orthose that could be relocated.
Properties maintained bythe Citythat are
subjectto FAA restrictions include;
• M illennium Square (a portion is subject to
FAA restrictions, but no use regulations).
• Field of Flowers
• Kenai Community Gardens
• Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park
• Kenai Greenstrip
• Kenai Recreation Center
• Daubenspeck Family Park
• Kenai Bark Park
• Kenai Cemetery and Cemetery Expansion
• Leif Hansen Memorial Park (a portion of).
CITY ZONING
The City of Kenai has 18 zoning classifications
including Recreational. Only the Municipal
Golf Course and the Kenai Sports Complex
are located within this classification. All other
parks and facilities are located in a variety of
zones including Conservation, Airport Light
Industrial, Rural Residential, and others.
Establishing a new Parks District classification
and rezoning parks to this classification, and
rezoning recreation facilities to Recreational
resolves existing land use challenges.
28 1 City of Kenai
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KENAI RECREATION CENTER
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
1.56 acres
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Recreation Center offers a diverse
range of year-round recreation space for all
ages. The facilities include a weight room
and cardio room, two racquetball/wallyball
courts, gymnasium, saunas, showers, and
locker rooms. On the top floor is a Teen Center,
operated bythe Boys and Girls Club, that
provides the community's teen's with a fun,
safe environment to spend their time. The
Teen Center has a dance floor, snack bar, pool
tables, foosbal1, ping-pong, video games, TV,
air hockey, and computers.
Construction of the Kenai Recreation Center
(phase 1) was completed in 1981. The
gymnasium (Phase 11) was completed in 1983.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula
managed and operated the facility from 2003
under Partnership Agreement until2021,
when the City took over the operation of the
downstairs of the facility.
In 2023, the roof and air handlers were
replaced and in 2024, the gymnasium, lobby,
and locker room flooring were all redone.
Maintenance and Operations
Operated by six part-time regular staff
members, supported bythe Assistant Parks
and Recreation Director. They operate the
front desk, which handles all transactions
and perform all of the facility cleaning. In
the summer months, the P&R Department
maintains all the green space around this
facility.
Facilities and Amenities
• Teen Center
• One weight and cardio room
• Two racquetball/wallyball courts
• One gymnasium
• Four locker rooms with showers; two of the
locker rooms have saunas
• Off-street parking
Public Input
The Kenai Recreation Center is a valued and
versatile facility, widely used for diverse
indoor recreational activities. The center
is a popular hub for court games and the
weight/cardio room. Toddler Time and private
rentals for events are also highlyvalued.
Users appreciate the wide range of year-
round options for all ages and feel that the
gymnasium, fitness center, and multi -purpose
rooms are central attractions. Amenities like
the sauna, restrooms, and locker rooms with
showers contribute to a positive experience.
Respondents generally view the center as
well -maintained, with ongoing improvements
enhancing user satisfaction.
Respondents felt that improvements could
include separated space for Tot Time with
more programming. They also have a desire
for more upgraded equipment and machines
in the fitness room and more open playtimes
for pickleball. The facility is often described as
small, cramped, and limited with persistent
complaints about poor ventilation, stuffy
air, and lack of natural light. There is also
a general perception of the facility being
old and tired, indicating a need fora full
remodel. Respondents desire expanded
hours, including earl iersummer openings,
later closings, and weekend availability with a
demand for more classes and open gym times.
30 1 City of Kenai
Opportunities
The Kenai Recreation Center provides an
amenity to the community which is frequently
used by residents. During major recreational
events, parking becomes a problem, requiring
street parking and creatingtraffic safety
concerns. Redesigningthe parking lotto
accommodate high -traffic events would
relieve some of these concerns. As noted
below, the entry to the lower level is not ADA
accessible, and redesigning the entry from
the parking level would alleviate the non-
compliant access and provide a more inviting
entry. Using the storefront and storage area
fora lobby could provide the needed building
accessibility and benefit staff and visitors but
requires space planning for verification.
The property has restrictions established
by the FAA that should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
Exterior of Recreation Center
Recommendations
• Provide ADA access into the building.
• Redesign parking for more efficient use.
• Gym area renovation and modernization
• Locker rooms renovation and ADA
accessibility improvements.
• Programming and conceptual design for
upper level, if vacated.
• Standardize signage for building consistent
with other Parks and Recreation signage.
• Develop an internal maintenance plan to
schedule routine maintenance tasks.
• Subdivide four parcels the land is on
into one parcel, to help with further
improvements.
• Rezone parcel from Central Mixed Use
(CMU) to Recreational (R).
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Gymnasium
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Teen Center
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 31
MULTI -PURPOSE FACILITY
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
7.26 acres
Existing Conditions
The Multi -Purpose Facilitywas constructed
in 1999, and refrigeration equipment was
added in 2001. From Octoberthrough March,
the facility operates as an ice rink and is free
for public use whenever it is not reserved. The
Multi -Purpose Facility serves as a rental facility
in the summerfor roller hockey and other
activities, with restrictions for availability. The
P&R Commission has expressed interest in
someday obtaining an indoorturffacility and
marked this as a possible location.
The City historically offered summer ice at the
Multi -Purpose Facility, but this service ended
in 2022 after an engineering assessment and
an Ice System Evaluation Study identified
concerns with the facility's condition. Based
on these findings, the City determined that
continuing to operate the ice system through
the summerwas no longer advised or feasible.
The facility also faces several appearance
and infrastructure updates. Exterior signage
still features an outdated City logo along
with a ConocoPhillips logo, even though the
company no longer operates the Kenai LNG
plant, and the City updated its branding in
2020. In addition, the draft engineering
report outlines key capital needs, including
replacement of the rink boards and
refrigeration compressors, which are nearing
the end of their service life.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department contracts for the ice
maintenance, maintainingthe ice mechanical
systems, ice resurfacing equipment, and
cleaning the facility. Citystaff provide ice
schedulingand buildingand site maintenance.
Parks maintains all the green space around the
facility in the summer months.
During the summer months, the facility
is largely unused but remains available
for limited public rentals. Due to staffing
constraints, access is restricted, though it
has been rented on a special -use basis for
activities such as roller derby.
Facilities and Amenities
• Refrigerated partially enclosed ice rink
(October - March)
• Running water restrooms (no showers)
• Storage room
• Vendor space for skate rentals operated by
the contractor
• Five heated locker rooms
• Trash receptacles
• Bleachers
• Off-street parking
m N
Multi -purpose facility building
Public Input
The Multi -Purpose Facility is a community
favorite during the winter between October
and March and is enjoyed for ice skating and
hockey. Areas identified by the community for
improvement include:
• Many respondents would like to see the
facility enclosed with ice year-round.
• Alternative uses in the summer would
benefit the community.
• Updated or better maintained locker rooms.
• Improved heating system forthe spectator
stands and player's benches.
-i-
r
Interior of facility
32 1 CityofKenai
Opportunities
AchaIIengefor the Multi -Purpose Facility
is its limited and aging faciIities and being
a partially open structure. While meeting
basic needs, there is opportunity to reduce
maintenance and improve ice conditions
through installing new refrigeration system.
The facility has two interior changing rooms
which are insufficient. There is a desire to
construct permanent, dedicated locker rooms
for home and visitor teams.
The open structure provides natural
ventilation, which is a critical mechanical
feature forthe facility, often creating
uncomfortable conditions for users and
restricting when ice can be installed. Public
feedback has consistently identified a desire
to fully enclose the rink. Doing so would
require a feasibility studyto understand
additional features and infrastructure to
meet proper ice rink operations and building
code requirements. Other recommendations
suggested bythe public include improvingthe
current heating system above the bleachers
and adding heat over the player's benches.
The building requires a few repairs,
modernization, and maintenance updates to
improve durability and appearance of interior
spaces.
Recommendations
• New ice refrigeration system.
• Permanent locker rooms.
• Interior area renovation and modernization
including improved heat over bleachers.
• Standardize signage for building consistent
with other Parks and Recreation signage.
• Partially or fully enclose the facility and
related infrastructure improvements.
• Develop an internal maintenance plan to
schedule routine maintenance tasks.
• Rezone parcel from Education (ED) to
Recreational (R) to allow current use.
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 133
KENAI LITTLE LEAGUE FIELDS
Park Classification
Community Park
Size
12.78 acres
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Little League Fields share a space
with Municipal Park and the Waste Water
Treatment Plant, with access to Kenai North
Beach. There are three baseball fields and
one softball field with a natural buffer running
along the bluff to the west of the fields. A
gravel perimetertrail meanders through
the natural buffer. There is a trailhead north
of the northernmost field and south of the
southernmost field. The high school uses the
main field for its games.
The Little League Fields were constructed
before 1979. The girls softball field was
constructed in 1987. The facilities are aging
including the dugouts, fields, fencing, and
snack shack. There is a large, unmarked gravel
parking area on the east side of the site that
does not provide adequate parking during
larger events. Several conex containers are
located adjacent to the parking lot for storage
During the month of July, the Kenai Little
League Fields parking lot serves as secondary
parking for the Personal Use Fishery, causing
temporary scheduling disruption and added
wear on the facilities.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department preps the fields for
the start of the season and performs weekly
maintenance on them throughout the season.
Maintenance includes mowing, dragging the
fields, fertilizing, weed whacking, and laying
lines.
The Kenai Central High School performs
pre -season preparation on the fields and the
different Leagues chalk the fields and perform
light maintenance during tournaments and
off -hours. The Leagues also provide portable
toilets in the summer. Volunteer efforts allow
P&R staff to focus on the weekly maintenance
requirements.
Facilities and Amenities
• Two major little league fields, one senior
little league field, and one softball field
• One concession (snack shack) structure
• Three storage units (conex)
• Four drinking fountains
• Two score boards
• Eight dugouts
• Nine bleachers
• Batting cages
• Picnic tables and trash receptacles
• Portable toilet (seasonal)
• Off-street parking
Public Input
The main use for the Kenai Little League Fields
is baseball for Little League games and T-Ball
and general public feeling is it serves well
for this use. There is some conflicting use
identified with the seasonal dip netters using
the park and parking area. Areas identified by
the community for improvement include:
• Upgrade restrooms to be year-round.
• Install batting cages and upgrade dugouts.
• Improved maintenance of the fields
including turf and baselines.
• Upgrade the main field (field #3) to
synthetic
• Overhaul fields or relocate them to the
Kenai Sports Complex.
ON-
Ball field at the Kenai Little League Fields
34 1 CityofKenai
Opportunities
The current ballfields complex is congested
and notably deficient in support facilities
such as restrooms and adequate parking,
hindering its success. There is an opportunity
to relocate the baseball fields to an expanded
Kenai Sports Complex, providing a superior
user experience and generating city-wide
maintenance efficiencies. By integrating the
Kenai Little League Fields with Municipal
Park, the two parks can form a connected
park focused on social interaction and diverse
active and passive recreation.
There is an excellent opportunity to create a
robust natural trail network connecting with
Municipal Park and expanding onto City -
owned land to the north and east to include
winter skiing. Space will be available to
expand parking and provide a formal seasonal
campground to accommodate summer
dip net fishery visitors, with improved trail
connections to North Beach and the fishery.
Bleachers and dugout
Recommendations
• Remove (3) Little League Fields and (1)
T-ball field (to be relocated to Sports
Complex) and related support structures.
• Upon relocation of fields, validate
recreation uses and needs through a public
process and park master planning effort.
• Rezone from Conservation (C) to future
Parks Zoning District.
Park trail around ball fields
of.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 35
STEVE SHEARER MEMORIAL BALL PARK
Park Classification Maintenance and Operations
Community Park
Size
14.48 acres
Existing Conditions
Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park is named in
honor of Steve Shearer, who died in July 1998.
Following his death, a committee was formed
to commemorate his life and the important
role he played in bringing men's softball to the
city and the beginning of league play in the
late 1970s. In 2003, the City Council approved
naming the complex and placement of the sign
(donated by the committee).
There are four adult softball fields and
permanent restrooms with seasonal water.
The space is shared with the Kenai Greenstrip,
Kenai Community Garden, and Kenai Skate
Park. Three fields were constructed in 1980,
and a fourth field bordering 1st Avenue was
completed in 1989.
The park is City property adjacent to the
airport and was deeded to the City by the FAA
with restrictions.
The fields, fencing, and bleachers are in fair
condition, with the snack shack and restrooms
in poor condition. New dugouts were installed
in 2025.
The P&R Department prepares the fields for
the start of the season and performs weekly
maintenance throughout the summer.
Maintenance includes mowing, dragging the
fields, fertilizing, weed whacking, and laying
lines.
The different Leagues chalk the fields
and perform light maintenance during
tournaments and off -hours. The high school
performs some preseason field preparation.
Facilities and Amenities
• Four adult softball fields
• Bleachers
• Eight dugouts
• One concession
• One official's shack
• Trash receptacles
• One permanent restroom structure
(operated seasonally) and storage building
• Off-street parking
Public Input
The community enjoys the Steve Shearer
Memorial Ball Park for softball games and
the open green space for community events.
There are some concerns regarding undesired
activities. Some respondents complained
about the wind and dust, which can make
playing softball difficult. Areas identified by
the community for improvement include:
• Many respondents felt that revitalizing the
area would be beneficial, using Soldotna
Creek Park as an example.
• Install a concession and create a wind barrier.
• Better maintenance or more regulations for
dogs.
Opportunities
The proposal is to transform the area currently
occupied by the Steve Shearer Memorial
Ball Park into an expanded, large community
event space. This transformation is contingent
upon relocating the ballfields to the larger
Kenai Sports Complex, which will consolidate
sports facilities, streamline maintenance, and
improve the player experience with better
support services.
By expanding the adjacent Kenai Greenstrip
into the vacated ball park area, and potentially
relocating or upgrading the Kenai Skate Park
and playground, the City will create a more
vibrant and enticing space ideal for large
community events like Industry Days and
the Pumpkin Festival, as well as seasonal
farmers' markets. This expansion will provide
better facilities and the necessary space while
maintainingthe Kenai Greenstrip's `open
space' designation.
Furthermore, relocatingthe ballfieldswill
free up essential community parking for
these special events, alleviating overflow on
surrounding roads. Consideration should
also be given to relocating the underused
community garden to consolidate facilities.
The property has restrictions established
bythe FAAthat should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
36 1 City of Kenai
Recommendations
• Relocate softball fields to the Kenai Sports
Complex.
• Develop a full master plan for this park
for expanding and improving facilities
for hosting community events (see Kenai
Greenstrip). Include planning for an
improved skate park, connected trails
(paved and natural) and other facilities
to support the expansion of the Kenai
Greenstrip into the park.
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New dugouts
Softball field
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 37
KENAI SPORTS COMPLEX
Park Classification
Community Park
Size
18.94 acres
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Sports Complex includes six soccer
fields and off-street parking. There are picnic
tables and seasonal portable toilets provided.
The Kenai Sports Complex is open year-round
and is free of charge. All facilities are in good
condition. This park was an Land and Water
Conservation Fund project and the fields were
constructed in 2006. The local soccer clubs
use the fields heavily during the summer.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department preps the fields for
the start of the season and performs weekly
maintenance on them. Maintenance includes
mowing, fertilizing, and weed whacking.
The Kenai Peninsula Soccer Club currently
assists the Citywith lawn care, facility upkeep,
and soccerfield layout, line striping, and field
preparation.
Facilities and Amenities
• Sixsoccerfields
• One storage facility
• Picnictables
• Portable toilet (seasonal)
• Off-street parking
Public Input
The community identified expandingtrails into
the wooded area, building a gazebo (shelter),
and permanent restrooms as benefits to the
development of the Kenai Sports Complex.
Additionally, relocating other sports fields
to this location and expanding it out to be a
multi -field sports complex with all facilities.
Opportunities
The Kenai Sports Complex has untapped
potential to become a home for Kenai's
competitive outdoor sports fields including
baseball, softball, rugby, and soccer. A sports
complex can act as a community hub, where
people come together, support local teams,
and accommodate kids and adults of all ages
for multi -generational play. It would bring all
supporting uses into one area to consolidate
needed services, such as concessions,
restrooms, changing rooms, and storage and
maintenance facilities, minimizing the amount
of maintenance, operation, and management
burden on the P&R Department and
decreasing their travel time between facilities.
The current soccerfields are approximately
18.94 acres; however, there is an additional
estimated 28 acres that could be used for park
land as part of this parcel and an adjacent
24.93 acre parcel located northwest of the
soccer fields that can be allocated to the Kenai
Sports Complex development if needed.
A large parking lot will be needed to support
all activities and understanding the expended
demand at one time while guide the capacity
of support facilities including parking,
restrooms, and other amenities to support
operation of the Kenai Sports Complex.
Recommendations
Develop a master plan for a combined
sports complex that includes regulation
sized soccerfields, Little League baseball
fields (including one with artificial turf and
electronic scoreboard), softball fields, and
rugby pitch with needed dugouts, fencing,
bleachers, and scoreboards. Include
support facilities that include concessions,
restrooms, storage and maintenance
buildings, day -use (picnic) shelters,
parking, and otherdesired facilities. The
master plan will verify community need and
capacity for the creation of a consolidated
sports field complex within a public
process.
38 1 City of Kenai
Storage shed
L
Sports Complex with access road and gate
r I
Fields at the Sports Complex
'r
Seasonal portable toilet
i'9
Facility sign
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 39
MUNICIPAL PARK
Park Classification
Community Park
Size
34.56 acres
Existing Conditions
Municipal Park shares space with the Kenai
Little League Fields and the Waste Water
Treatment Plant, with access to Kenai North
Beach. A large campground was located in
the park that operated through the 1970s
and `80s and was discontinued in the late
`80s. The campground area now serves as a
walking path and day -use picnic sites. New
playground structures were added in 2015 and
an inclusive see -saw was added to the park in
2023.
Overall, the park and its amenities are in very
good condition, with the exception of the sand
volleyball court, basketball court, and picnic
areas (old campground) in the woods, which
are in fairto poorcondition.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the grass,
playground, walking trails, basketball court,
pavilions, bathrooms, and landscaping. Kenai
parks holds its annual Easter Day egg hunt
at this park and plows the walking trails to
provide a safe space to walk in the winter.
Facilities and Amenities
• One basketball and one volleyball court
• Playground (tot lot and 5-12 year old)
• Three rentable shelters with another shelter
being reconstructed
• Open turf area and trails
• Picnic areas with picnic tables and BBQ grills
• Trash receptacles and a dumpster
• Benches and drinking fountains
• One bathroom with runningwater(seasonal)
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Overall, the community enjoys the variety of
amenities that is offered at Municipal Park,
including the playground and open space,
sports courts, park shelters, trails, and day -
use areas. Respondents value the wintertrail
maintenance to promote year-round walking.
Several comments identify concerns regarding
undesired activities happening throughout
the day -use area. Areas identified by the
community for improvement include:
• More playground equipment for older
children and more frequent maintenance.
• Outdoorfitness equipment along uppertrails.
• Repair and maintenance of the restroom
and installing another at the day -use area.
• Upgrade the basketball court to a full-sized
court and re -surface the volleyball court.
• Better delineation of walking trails through
the decommissioned campground area.
Opportunities
Municipal Park is a well programmed and
popular community park. Public input
requested that the existing volleyball court
be resurfaced. Improvingthe basketball
court at the park and volleyball court would
complement the other social activities
being recommended there. Outdoor fitness
equipmentwas also brought up bythe
community and could become part of the trail
system within the park. It is recommended
that the City replace the loose shredded safety
surfacing in the playground with safety tiles
when a new playground is installed.
The City has the opportunityto develop
new recreation opportunities for the large
campground area that closed in the late
1980s. Currently, the community uses the
decommissioned campground for passive
day use recreation and providing new day -
use shelters and a restroom would improve
user experience. Providing a network of trail
connections to the current Kenai Little League
Fields, North Beach, the natural corridor north
of the park, and Steve Shearer Memorial Ball
Park should be considered.
40 1 City of Kenai
Recommendations
• Upgrade existing restroom for year-round
use.
• Upgrade playground safety surfacing with
tiles when replacement of playground
occurs.
• Provide expanded day -use recreation
facilities and expanded parking in
decommissioned campground.
• Identifytrail and connector opportunities in
the park as part of an updated Kenai Trails
Master Plan.
• Rezone from Conservation (C) to future
Parks Zoning District.
Trail connecting to North Beach
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Kenai Municipal Park playground
Day use shelters
Seasonal bathroom structure and portable toilet
I
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 141
LEIF HANSEN MEMORIAL PARK
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
3.5 acres
Existing Conditions
Leif Hansen Memorial Park is named in honor
of Leif Hansen, who tragically passed away
in a drowning accident in 1986. Following
his loss, his family envisioned the site as a
memorial park where community members
could remember and honor their loved ones,
including veterans. A Memorial Park Planning
Committee was formed in 1987 to design
the park, and since then memorial sidewalks,
plaques, and a fountain (donated bythe
Hansen family) have been added, reinforcing
the park's role as a place of remembrance and
reflection.
The park features the Town Clock, constructed
through a community -wide effort with
donated funds, volunteer labor, and
contributions from local industry, residents,
and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. The project was
partially funded through the memorial fund of
OfficerJohn Watson, who had long envisioned
a town clock for Kenai. Today, the clock stands
as a centerpiece of the park and a symbol of
community spirit and collaboration.
The park amenities includes a gazebo, water
fountain, Veteran's and Marine Memorials,
and a meandering walking path with memorial
plaques throughout the park. The City allows
reservations for Leif Hansen Memorial Park
Gazebo. The park is in good condition with
the exception of the fountain and older
deteriorating paving in poor condition.
A concern is that many of the memorial
plantings are encroaching on park elements
and sidewalks, creating maintenance
challenges. Planned maintenance will be
conducted on the waterfountain in 2025.
During the winter, the park is decorated with
Christmas lights and a Memorial Day event
happens here. No permanent structures may
be placed on the state right-of-way.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department installs memorial
plaques, maintains all the green space and
landscaping, as well as hanging seasonal decor
throughout the park in the winter months.
Facilities and Amenities
• One gazebo
• Dedicated memorial structures
• One town clock
• One memorial water fountain
• Benches and one drinking fountain
• Meandering concrete pathway with
memorial plaques
• On -street parking
Public Input
Overall, there is a lot of community connection
with Leif Hansen Memorial Park. People enjoy
the amenities and memorials and the general
park setting. The park is used for a variety
of different activities, such as weddings or
family photos. Although the park is generally
enjoyed by the community, there is also a
lot of undesirable activities that take place
here. Respondents felt that the park would
be improved by better monitoring and
discouraging undesirable activities.
Opportunities
Leif Hansen Memorial Park is a unique park
in Kenai that hosts a variety of memorials
including those dedicated to individuals. The
park is nearing capacity for hosting additional
memorial plaques. The park also lacks
landscape standards to guide maintenance
and the continued addition of memorials.
Memorial plantings are overgrowing walkways
and the development of design standards will
act as a master plan and guidelines as future
memorials are developed and implemented.
They will help to ensure the Leif Hansen
Memorial Park is developed in a way that is
powerful, cohesive, and an enduring tribute
that serves its purpose to the community.
A portion of this property has restrictions
established bythe FAAthat should be
considered when planning recreational
facilities.
Recommendations
• Develop design standards and
guidelines forthe design, development,
implementation, and maintenance of
future and existing memorials and related
plantings.
• Rejuvenate the fountain and renovate
landscaping.
• Rezone from Conservation (C) to future
Parks Zoning District.
42 1 City of Kenai
Park gazebo
Memorial water fountain
Veterans memorial
W.
Memorial plaques along the pathway
Town clock
a.4
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 43
ERIK HANSEN SCOUT PARK
Park Classification
Pocket Park
Size
0.64 acres
Existing Conditions
Erik Hansen Scout Park was established in
1997 as an Eagle Scout project. The property
was donated by Dr. Peter and Karolee Hansen
in memory of their son Erik, an Eagle Scout
and I ifelong scouter who passed away at age
32. The park, which features a statue of a Boy
Scout leader, serves as a tribute to Erik's life
and dedication to scouting.
Erik Hansen Scout Park is a small pocket
park, located in Old Town Kenai, that has
scenic views of the Cook Inlet and Kenai
River, providing an ideal location for watching
the dip netters below. Interpretive displays
highlight manyof the physical features of the
surrounding landscape. The park includes
memorial benches, plantings, gravel trails, a
grassed area, a spotting scope, and on -site
parking. It is a popular park in the summer.
The park is in very good condition and has
recently been revitalized through volunteer
efforts in coordination with the P&R
Department. They replaced the pathway,
garden bed, and improved fencing.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains all the green
space and landscaping, as well as hanging
seasonal decor throughout the park in the
winter months.
Facilities and Amenities
• Boy Scout Statue
• Memorial benches
• Interpretive displays
• Scenicview
• Spotting scope
• Trash receptacle
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Erik Hansen Memorial Park is appreciated
for its view of the Kenai River and Cook Inlet
and forthe abilityto site above the banks and
watch the dip netters below on the shores.
Overall, there isn't many improvements
desired bythe community. Bettergeneral
maintenance and more seating are the only
comments provided.
Spotting scope and interpretive panel along the bluff
Park bench
Opportunities
Erik Hansen Memorial Park serves the
community as a pocket park overlooking the
river. Public input identified the need for better
general maintenance and improving seatingto
viewthe sceneryand watch dip netters below.
The park includes several memorial benches
and aging interpretive panels.
Recommendations
• Upgrade memorial benches when
replacement is needed while maintaining
memorial designation.
• Improve hardened surfaces and walking
areas and maintain.
• Replace and update interpretive panels.
• Rezone from Central Commercial (CC) to
future Parks Zoning District.
44 1 City of Kenai
4TH AVENUE PARK
Park Classification
Neighborhood Park
Size
3.75 acres
Existing Conditions
4th Avenue Park has been maintained bythe
City since the 1970s. The park previously had
playground equipment, which was removed
around 2018. Replacement of the equipment
was considered, but no funds were allocated
and the project was not carried forward. At
present, the park serves as a large open turf
area that is suitable for throwing a Frisbee,
playing soccer, and other activities that require
space. There is a full-size basketball court and
a picnic shelter and barbecue grill. There is an
aging backstop and unmaintained grass field
that is no longer used by Little League.
The field is in fair condition as is the shelter
and picnic facilities. The basketball court is in
good condition.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the grass, and
basketball court.
Basketball court
Facilities and Amenities
• Basketball court
• Baseball backstop
• Open turf area
• One small shelter
• Picnic table, barbecue grill, and trash
receptacle
• Portable toilet available for events or rentals
• Off-street parking
Public Input
4th Avenue Park is not well known or used
by the community. Some respondents felt it
would be best to close the park and sell the
property, usingthe funds on other better used
parks in Kenai.
Proceeds of the sale of City -owned land must
be deposited in the Land Sale Permanent Fund
and are not available for use by the City for any
purpose other than for investments.
Small park shelter
Opportunities
4th Avenue Park is a good candidate for
disposal due to larger adjacent parks already
serving this neighborhood, with support for its
disposal expressed by members of the public.
Should the greater public desire this park be
kept within the system, a master plan should
be developed.
Recommendations
• Consider closure and disposal of the park
through a public process; and,
• If park is not approved for closure, develop
park master plan.
• Rezone from Suburban Residential (RS) to
future Parks Zoning District.
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 45
KENAI HISTORIC CABIN PARK
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
1.01 acres
Existing Conditions
Completed around 2010, the cabins in this
park were brought together to showcase
different historical chapters of Kenai's past.
Many historic cabins and related equipment
have been consolidated in this location.
Although the structures are old, they remain in
good condition. The site is fenced and is only
open to the public when a docent is present.
Maintenance and Operations
The park is operated and maintained under
an Memorandum of Understanding with
the Kenai H istorical Society. The Society is
responsible for maintaining the grounds,
managing operating hours, and keeping a
thorough inventory of the site.
Facilities and Amenities
• Arness Cabin (1925)
• Dolchok/Juliussen Cabin (1922)
• M iller Cabin (C.1910)
• Three Scandinavians Cabin (date unknown)
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Recommendations
• Continue working with the Kenai H istorical
Society to preserve and showcase the
historic cabins.
Kenai Historic Cabin Park sign
Kenai historic cabin interior
46 1 City of Kenai
OLD TOWN PARK
Park Classification
Neighborhood Park
Size
1.11 acres
Existing Conditions
Old Town Park is a smaller neighborhood park
located in Old Town Kenai, adjacent to the
Kenai H istoric Cabin Park. The park has been
in existence priorto 1979 and was originally
intended to provide facilities for all ages
(toddlers, pre-school, school age). The Kenai
Lions Club has assisted with various projects in
this park through the years.
It is fully fenced and has a playground, open
turf areas, picnic structure, and a half -court
basketball court. These items were installed
between 1979 and 1985. The present swing
was installed in 1994 and the modular play
system in 1996. The smaller playground was
replaced in 2010. The playground is in poor
condition and is slated for replacement in
2026, if funding allows.
Currently, there is a schematic design to
completely redo the park and can be found in
the City's CIP.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the grass,
playground structures, court, and landscaping.
Facilities and Amenities
• Playground with two small units, one swing,
and one slide
• One basketball court (half -court)
• One shelter
• Open turf area
• Picnic table, BBQ grill, and trash receptacle
• One portable toilet
• On -street parking
Public Input
Limited responses were received for Old Town
Park during the Inventory Survey and Public
Open House. Overall, the community felt the
park is not in a good location and feels run-
down with needed equipment replacement.
Respondents would like access to the beach,
restrooms, and an overhaul of the park.
Shelter with playground in background
Swings and turf area
Opportunities
A schematic level master plan was developed
in 2023 as a full park `do over'that included
new playground equipment. Implementation
of this master plan, with a priority on the
playground, is recommended for Old Town
Park.
Recommendations
• Evaluate portions of the playground
improvements as designed in the 2023
park plan based on funding availability.
• Rezone from Central Commercial (CC) to
future Parks Zoning District.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 47
BEAVER CREEK PARK
Park Classification
Neighborhood Park
Size
5.23 acres
Existing Conditions
Beaver Creek Park is an inviting park just
off the Kenai Spur Highway side of the Unity
Bike Trail. In 1972, the City obtained Land
and Water Conservation Fund funding to
construct the parkas it is today, purchasing
the parkland in 1980. Prior to this, this space
was maintained by the local Boy Scouts.
The park includes a picnic shelter, playground,
full outdoor basketball court, and vault toilet
that is currently out of order. A portable toilet
is rented in the summer. There are plans to
replace the picnic shelter.
The vault toilet and shelter are in poorcondition.
The playground equipment is in good condition,
however safety surfacing needs improvements.
All otherfacilities are in good condition.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the grass,
playground structures, court, and landscaping.
Small picnic shelter
Facilities and Amenities
• Playground with one small unit, one slide,
and one swing
• One basketball court
• Open turf area
• One small shelter
• Picnic table, bench, barbecue grill, trash
receptacle, and drinking fountain
• Bike repair station
• One vault toilet (out of order). A seasonal
portable toilet is provided.
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Beaver Creek is an enjoyable park that people
will ride their bike to and enjoy the playground
and access to the creek. Respondents
identified undesirable activities at the park
which creates an unsafe environment. The
restroom facility and shelter is in need of
repair and maintenance and some perimeter
trails would be valued.
Existing vault toilet and seasonal portable toilet
Opportunities
There are current plans in place to replace
the existing shelter and the City places a
seasonal portable toilet on site. Upgrading the
vault toilet would benefit park users. Loose
shredded safety surfacing at the playground
places a maintenance burden on the City,
deteriorates easily, creating unsafe play
conditions, and reduces accessibility. It is
recommended that the City replace the loose
shredded safety surfacingwith safetytiles.
A hardened surface should be installed in
all high -use areas (to replace failing grass),
including the picnic shelter, to reduce
maintenance and improve accessibility.
Reduce the overall grass area used for active
play and allow the rest of the grass spaces
to naturalize, reducing overall maintenance
burden on the City.
Open turf area
48 1 City of Kenai
Recommendations
• Replace existing shelter, picnic table and
BBQ (planned).
• Harden the surfacing underthe day -use
picnic shelter and high use areas. Hardened
surface shall incorporate the picnic table,
barbecue grill, and access points from the
parking area.
• Upgrade playground safety surfacing with
tiles when the playground is replaced.
• Replacethe non-functioning vault toilet;
• Consider relocating the freelibrarydueto
repeated vandalism.
• Reduce the overall amount of grass while
maintaining adequate open green space.
• Rezone from Rural Residential (RR) to
future Parks Zoning District.
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 49
DAUBENSPECK FAMILY PARK
Park Classification
Community Park
Size
7.09 acres
Existing Conditions
A main feature of Daubenspeck Family Park
is a central pond used forswimming in the
summer and illuminated ice skating in winter
months. In 2010, the City named the park
Daubenspeck Family Park in honor of the
family, whose donation of lands and mineral
rights had contributed more than two million
dollars to support City athletic programs as of
that date.
The park includes a quarter -mile gravel loop
trail connecting two beach areas, picnic area,
toilet, and a day -use recreation area with two
rental shelters. The trail is being re-routed
away from the beach area.
Park facilities are in fairto good condition
but are showing signs of heavy use. Erosion is
occurring around the pond at access points.
The boat launch is in disrepair and not usable.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains facilities and
the landscaping. Minimal ice maintenance is
provided during the winter months.
Facilities and Amenities
• Beach/swimming area
• Two rentable pavilions
• One vaulttoilet
• Loop trail
• Picnictables
• Fire pit
• Trash receptacles
• Winter ice skating (with lighting)
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Daubenspeck Park is a cherished community
park used forwalking, swimming, water sports,
ice skating, and to enjoy a barbecue. Some
respondents felt that it would benefit from
better maintenance and monitoring. They also
felt there is potential for growth with City land
available around the park.
Main parking, pond access and restrooms
Opportunities
There is an opportunity to formalize the
main gathering space near the parking lot
and restroom at Daubenspeck Family Park
with a hardened surface to replace the failed
grass and improve accessibility. This includes
around the fire pit area and restoring the
degraded edges of the pond at this main
access point. Restoration can be completed
by creating a formal pond access point with a
hardened edge and stairs, allowing restoration
to the surrounding natural bank. This will
improve this main access point and provide
safe, convenient, and accessible recreational
access to the pond. Additionally, there is an
opportunity to install a small dock to be used
for swimming in the summer and ice skating
during the winter.
There is a nice picnic area on the south side
of the pond that currently has no access or
sightlines to the pond. It is recommended that
the City remove some vegetation to create
better sightlines to the pond. Additionally,
access points could be developed so that
groups picnicking can swim or skate on the
pond from this spot. Access points should
be developed to mitigate degradation of the
natural pond edge.
On the east side of the pond is an existing boat
launch that is not usable. It is recommended
that the boat launch be decommissioned and
the pond edge be restored.
The property has restrictions established
bythe FAAthat should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
50 1 CityofKenai
4, .
Recommendations
• H a rden surfacing from parking lot around
the fire pit and develop a controlled access
point to the pond. Restore impacted areas
along pond edge.
• Install a small dock.
• Decommission existing boat launch.
• Install a park map.
• Clearvegetation at the picnic shelters to
promote sightlines to the pond and install
access points to the pond edge.
• Rezone from Light Industrial (IL) to future
Parks Zoning District.
Daubenspeck Family Park Loop Trail
Vault toilet and parking area
Picnic area with shelters
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 51
KENAI BARK PARK
Park Classification
Community Park
Size
1.57 acres
Existing Conditions
Kenai Bark Park is Kenai's first official dog
park and is the result of a community project
involving volunteers, community fundraising,
and a partnership with the City. The park
was officially opened in 2023 and includes a
separate area for small dogs and one for larger
dogs. The entry pavilion and double gate entry
for staging dogs is in excellent condition. A
gravel trail loops around the perimeter of the
large dog area. Although the dog park is newly
constructed, winter freezing associated with
the high watertable results in footings being
elevated and creating gaps in the fencing.
The high watertable also creates drainage
challenges and the establishment of surfacing
that is friendly to dogs. The existing trees,
especially in the small dog area, are being
heavily impacted, creating use challenges.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains facilities and
the landscaping. A dog park committee has
raised funds to help build the park and will
also purchase equipment forthe park.
Facilities and Amenities
• One pavilion with double -gated entry
• Separate fenced area for small/large dogs
• Benches
• Trash receptacles
• Dog agi I ity features
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Respondents appreciate this addition to
Daubenspeck Park and enjoy bringing their
dog to a fenced dog park that offers a mix of
spaces. Some improvements desired include
betterfencing and park surfacing, water
management, and water supply for the dogs. A
few respondents mentioned the addition of a
shelterwithin the two dog areas.
Opportunities
The Kenai Bark Park has challenges with surface
drainage and frost heaving. Solutions should
be determined to install fencingthat isn't
impacted byground heaving and results in dogs
escapingfrom the park. Better surface drainage
is needed and an upgraded, dog -friendly
aggregate surfacing should be installed.
The property has restrictions established
bythe FAAthat should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
Recommendations
• Install gutters on shelter.
• Remove dead, dying or hazard trees from small
dog park area, and add fill to improve drainage.
Regrade and upgrade surfacing in park to a
dog -friendly aggregate surfacing (crusher
fines or E-1 top coat over D-1 base).
• Continue to investigate and resolve
seasonal jacking of fence posts. Reset if
heaving continues.
• Upgrade site furnishings for both people
(benches) and dogs (agility).
• Rezone from Light Industrial (IL) to future
Parks Zoning District.
Bark Park shelter and park
Kenai Bark Park
L
ILL
52 1 City of Kenai
KENAI COMMUNITY GARDENS
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
1.25 acres
Existing Conditions
Located in the northwest corner of the Kenai
Greenstrip, the Kenai Community Garden has
raised and low beds available for rent and a
garden shed. It includes the Fruiting Forest
(apple trees and berry bushes). All facilities are
in poor condition.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department manages reservations
of the beds and will prep them for the renters.
They also maintain the grass inside the park.
Facilities and Amenities
• Community garden with fifteen plots
• Garden shed (building)
• Fenced fruiting forest
Public Input
The community felt the communitygarden
space is in need of upgrades. They also
identified it as seeing limited use with less
demand over recent years.
Opportunities
The Kenai Community Garden offers locals the
ability to rent garden plots and grow their own
produce and flowers. Use of the community
garden has declined overthe years, indicating
there may be less demand and a public
process should determine if this facility should
continue.
The property has restrictions established
bythe FAAthat should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
Recommendations
• If there is community need, determine new
location with improved visibility, vehicle
access, and supporting amenities.
E.
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Garden shed
Garden boxes
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 153
KENAI GREENSTRIP
Park Classification
Community Park
Size
5.56 acres
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Greenstrip is a large open space in
downtown Kenai, perfect for community -wide
celebrations and hosts several annual events.
The Kenai Greenstrip shares space with the
Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park to the west
and the Kenai Community Garden. There are
two pavilions with available electricity that can
be rented and a restroom building. The original
shelter was constructed in 1991 and expanded
in 2009. The Kenai Greenstrip includes a
restroom that was constructed in 1993 and is
open seasonally and does not meet demands
during community events. The playground for
5-12 year old children was installed in 2023
but is not accessible due to the elevated
surfacing. The Kenai Greenstrip includes the
community garden and fruiting forest in the
north-west corner. On the opposite side of the
ballfields, is the Kenai Skate Park.
The Kenai Greenstrip and related structures
are in good condition, as is the playground. The
community garden and skate park are in fair to
poor condition and are in need of maintenance
or replacement.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the shelters,
restrooms, playground, grass, and landscaping
in the summer.
Facilities and Amenities
• Two rental shelters with electricity
• One restroom building (seasonal)
• One playground
• Picnictables
• One drinking fountain
• Off-street parking (at ballfields)
Public Input
Community input identified this space as a
well -used space for community events and a
nice central location. Many people felt it would
be better used if the ball fields at the Steve
Shearer Memorial Ball Park were relocated to
the Kenai Sports Complex and this space was
developed into a larger event space for music,
vendors, food trucks, etc. Some improvements
to the playground were mentioned and
providingADA compliant play equipment and
surfacing. Parking was identified as needed.
Kenai Greenstrip playground
Opportunities
Combine the Kenai Greenstrip with the
Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park to create
a large community open and event space.
Seethe Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park
for additional details and how relocation of
the ball fields to the Kenai Sports Complex
allows the expansion of the Kenai Greenstrip.
The intent is to maintain the area as `open
space' and add more formal amenities that
would better serve the community for larger
events, including a performance space
(stage), dedicated hardscape for vendor
stalls and booths, and expanded parking
on site. Creating a more formal developed
community gathering and event space
through the reduction of turf will reduce
maintenance of the area and improve the
special event experience. The newer existing
restroom serves basic everyday use; however,
it is undersized for larger community events.
There is no dedicated parking forthe Kenai
Greenstrip on site and parking often occurs
on the streets creating congestion and safety
concerns.
The property has restrictions established
by the FAA that should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
54 1 City of Kenai
Recommendations
• Create an open space master plan.
Elements in the plan could include (but
needs to be verify by public) formal booth
and vendors space, performance (stage)
area, general gathering areas, pavilions
and day -use area, parking, and formal
walkways and paths. Integrate with
adjacent improvements for skate park and
playground. Ensure planning responds to
any FAA restrictions and reflects its `open
space' designation.
Rental shelters
A
Shelter interior
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 55
KENAI SKATE PARK
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
0.86 acres
Existing Conditions
Located to the west of the Kenai Greenstrip,
the Kenai Skate Park is a fenced area within
a larger parking lot with asphalt surfacing.
The fenced skate area takes up a portion of
the overall park and is used for parking or
is unprogrammed. Skate elements include
portable features that includes tabletops,
grind rails, stairs, half pipe and quarter pipes.
Gravel and sand are found throughout the park
and the deteriorating asphalt surfacing makes
skating challenging.
The surfacing and skate features are in fair
to poor condition and the location with
wind blown sand and gravel makes this a
challenging location to operate a skate park.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the facilities
and secures the park when winter conditions
make it unusable. During the summer,
maintenance includes sweepingthe park,
painting overgraffiti, and performing
intermittent inspections.
Facilities and Amenities
• Portable skate features (mounted)
• Chain linkfence
Public Input
Little was stated about the skate park other
than is it seldom used and that is likely due to
its existing condition.
Opportunities
There is an opportunity to explore a new skate
park in conjunction with the expansion of
the Kenai Greenstrip (see Kenai Greenstrip).
The new skate park should focus on all -
wheeled activities, including scooters,
bikes, and roller blades, and be designed
for all ages and abilities. The property has
restrictions established by the FAA that should
be considered when planning recreational
facilities. In the interim, a concrete pad could
be located in a new location with the existing
skate elements to create a better short term
skate experience.
Recommendations
• Install concrete pad under existing skate
features as a short-term solution.
• Should there be the community need for a
long-term solution, develop a master plan
for an all -wheeled park within the larger
Kenai Greenstrip expansion planning effort.
Kenai Skate Park
r
56 1 CityofKenai
EAGLE DISC GOLF COURSE
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
10.93 acres
Existing Conditions
This Land and Water Conservation Fund
project developed a network of hiking and ski
trails that began in 1972. The disc golf course
was likely developed in the early 2000's. This
area includes and 18-course disc golf course
within a wooded environment and one mile of
walkingtrails. Dogs are allowed on the trails,
but must be on leash.
The disc golf course is in fair condition due to
heavy use and needed maintenance. Erosion
and trampled landscaping are found in high
use areas due to lack of hardened trails and
use areas related to the disc golf course.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the trails
throughout the summer. They also maintain
the course, including mowing grass around
tees and signage, removing dead or
hazardous trees, and performing general trail
maintenance. They also conduct intermittent
inspections during the summerto check paths,
infrastructure, and overall site conditions.
The local disc golf club actively supports
upkeep of the course. Before tournaments,
club members cleartrees, clean and prepare
trails, and assist staff with additional trail
maintenance throughout the season.
Facilities and Amenities
• Shared 18-course disc golf course
• 1 mile walkingtrail
• Benches and trash receptacles
• Off-street parking (two lots)
Public Input
Community input identifies the Eagle Disc Golf
Course as a fun and convenient place to walk
and play disc golf in the summer and to ski
during the winter. There is a desire to upgrade
disc golf amenities (tees, baskets, benches,
signs and trails).
Entrance with park sign and portable toilet
Disc golf basket
Opportunities
Overall, the site serves its function. Wayfinding
and a map of the disc golf layout would be
beneficial, as well as having both novice and
advanced tees and adding flags on top of the
baskets for better identification.
Recommendations
• Wayfinding and directional signage. Map
of the tee, fairway, and basket at each hole
location.
• Novice and advanced tee start.
• Establish hardened paths between each
hole and along fairways to the baskets.
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 57
CORAL SEYMOUR MEMORIAL BALLPARK (OILER PARK)
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
10.0 acres
Existing Conditions
Coral Seymour Memorial Ball Park, or Oiler
Park, is leased from the City. The complex was
developed in 1976 and is used bythe Peninsula
Oilers Baseball Club, Inc. There is one adult
sized baseball field.
Maintenance and Operations
Under a lease agreement, the Kenai
Oilers Baseball Club is responsible for all
maintenance of Coral Seymour Memorial
Ball Park, including field grooming, infield
and outfield care, mowing and trimmingthe
surrounding green spaces, and ensuringthat
facilities and equipment remain safe and in
good condition for players and spectators.
Facilities and Amenities
• Snack shack
• Bleachers
• Running water toilets (summer use)
• Dugouts
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Recommendations
• Continue coordination with the leaseholder
and provide City support as appropriate.
• Consider Conditional Use Permits to allow
for concerts or fairs.
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58 1 CityofKenai
KENAI MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
119.7 acres
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Municipal Golf Course is owned by
the City and is leased for summer operation
and maintenance to KNC Golf, Inc. as the
community golf course. Development of the
golf course began in 1986 and today it is an
18-hole course with a 72 par rating. The golf
course includes a club house and all facilities
are open to the public in the spring through
autumn for a fee.
In the winter months, the public uses the golf
course for Nordic ski use on trails groomed by
the P&R Department. There are four looped
Nordic routes, totallingjust over 3 miles with
a short snowshoe loop trail in the woods.
Grooming started in 1996 in order to enhance
community recreation throughout the winter
months. The terrain is predominantly flat and
suitable for beginners, yet challenging enough
for experienced skiers. Kenai Central H igh
School and the Kenai M iddle School use the
facility for training.
Maintenance and Operations
In the winter, the P&R Department grooms the
Nordic ski trails weekly.
Facilities and Amenities
• Four loop Nordic ski trails
• One loop snowshoe trail
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Municipal Golf Course
Recommendations
• Coordinate with the leaseholderto address
improvements to bridges, water access, and
protection of salmon habitat.
• Trail lightingfor improved night-time skiing,
which could in turn support the supply of
power to other areas of the golf course.
Winterski trails at the golf course
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 59
FOURTH AND FOREST POCKET PARK
Park Classification Maintenance and Operations
Pocket Park
Size
0.21 acres
Existing Conditions
The small park is maintained as a green space
in the summerwith mostlyturf and some
newly planted trees. There are two benches,
a little free library, large boulder, and a wood
chip path that cuts through the park. The park
is in good condition, however the wood chip
path is deteriorating.
Benches, little free library, and wood chip path
Pocket Park
The P&R Department maintains the grass and
landscaping in the summer.
Facilities and Amenities
• Benches
• Little free library
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Recommendations
• Rezone from Suburban Residential (RS) to
future Parks Zoning District.
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60 1 City of Kenai
ELSON FAMILY REST STOP
Park Classification
Pocket Park
Size
0.72 acres
Existing Conditions
The small pocket park is located adjacent to
the Unity Trail and was acquired through a
donation by James A. Elson and Jo Ann Elson
in June 2005 to be used as a park or rest stop.
The park has a path connection from the Unity
Trail and a picnic table.
Maintenance and Operations
This site is a natural, low -maintenance area
with no grass or permanent landscaping.
The P&R Department performs intermittent
inspections during the summer, checking the
path, infrastructure, and overall condition of
the site.
Picnic area at Elson Family Rest Stop
Facilities and Amenities
• Picnic Table
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Recommendations
• Manage the land in accordance with the
donation requirements.
• Rezone from Rural Residential (RR) to
future Parks Zoning District.
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 61
CUNNINGHAM PARK
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
2.16 acres
Existing Conditions
The park land was donated to the City by
Martha Cunningham in 1971 with a deed
requirement that the property be used for
a public park and a reversion clause in the
event the property was not used as a park. The
park was constructed under a Land and Water
Conservation Fund grant in 1973. It serves as
a park on the Kenai River and is one of the few
areas in the Lower Kenai River that provides
public access for bank fishing. It is a popular
fishing destination for locals and tourists,
particularly in the fall during the silver salmon
season.
A boardwalk was built along the uplands of
the Kenai Riverto protect the banks from
erosion, providing a great example of a bank
restoration project similarto those occurring
in other sections of the river. There are two
access points on either end of the boardwalk
to the banks of the Kenai River. All facilities are
in good condition.
Maintenance and Operations
During the summer, the P&R Department
maintains the green space, landscaping, and
vault toilet.
Facilities and Amenities
• Boardwalk and Kenai River access
• Bankfishing
• Interpretive display
• Bicycle repair station
• Trash receptacle (not bear proof) and
benches
• Onevaulttoilet
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Community input identifies Cunningham
Park as enjoyable to the community for its
connection to the Kenai River and as a scenic
viewpoint. Many respondents use the park for
fishing orto passivelywatch people fishing
and enjoy the boardwalk. It is also used as
a turn around or stop off point for people
biking on the bike trail. Desired improvements
include a fish cleaning table, more benches
or sitting areas to view the river, improved
restroom facilities, restoration efforts for the
weeds, and more overall maintenance of the
trash and restroom facilities.
Opportunities
Cunningham Park is an enjoyable riverside
area for passive recreation and the public feels
it serves the needs of the community. There
is a sizeable area of maintained grass that is
underutilized and could be reduced through
naturalization efforts. The boardwalk provides
a nice viewing opportunity and protects the
bank from erosion caused by foot traffic;
however, there is only one bench accessible
on the boardwalk and overall, the boardwalk is
narrow and doesn't offer a comfortable place
to sit and enjoy the scenery. Expanding on
the boardwalk to create a seating node with
interpretive panels would be a nice addition to
the park.
Recommendations
• Improve seating and add interpretive
panels on the boardwalk.
• Invasive plant species management,
restoration of natural areas.
• Reduce maintained grass area and promote
more naturalization around the edges.
Maintain the central area as mowed, but let
the otherspaces naturalize.
• Improve pedestrian access to the river on
east side of park by hardening a trail to high
tide line.
• The restroom will need to be upgraded or
replaced in the mid-term.
• Rezone from Rural Residential (RR) to
future Parks Zoning District.
62 1 City of Kenai
Stair access from the boardwalk to the riverbank
Park and boardwalk view
River access with bench and foot brush
Fishing along the Kenai Riverat Cunningham Park
At%
Restroom and parking
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 63
FIELD OF FLOWERS
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
3.03 acres
Existing Conditions
The Field of Flowers provides a popular
amenity for locals and visitors with its
transformative flower display. The field is
seeded each spring, providing visitors with a
beautiful backdrop of flowers. A bark mulch
trail meanders around the field with a central
spur. There is also a small gazebo located on
the northeast portion of the field. Botanical
information is displayed on small signs
throughout the site.
The property has approximately 2,600 feet
of frontage on the Kenai Spur H ighway and
was deeded to the City by the FAA with
Airport Restrictions. There is no dedicated
parking and the site and its facilities are not
accessible.
All facilities are in poor condition with the
gazebo in a fair condition.
Maintenance and Operations
The field is hydroseeded with wildflowers
annually by a contractor and maintained and
irrigated by the P&R Department.
Facilities and Amenities
• Wildflowerfield
• One gazebo
• Interpretive displays
• Mulch trail with benches
• On -street parking (limited)
Public Input
Overall, the community describes the Field of
Flowers as a beloved destination. It is mainly
used as a place to take pictures, to walk
through and enjoy the flowers, or to enjoy as
you drive by. Respondents identified a lack
of parking or not knowing where to park as
deterrents to visiting the Field of Flowers.
Better maintenance for the structures,
signage, and flower field was identified as
needed. Some concerns were raised regarding
the species of flower that is being used and
creating a space that uses native Alaska
wildflowers.
Opportunities
The Field of Flowers is a major draw for people
in the community and those visiting or driving
through. A developed master plan would be
beneficial to layout designated wildflower
beds, walking trails, updated interpretive
signage, provide dedicated parking, and
connections to the adjacent park activities. It
is also recommended that the City work with
a naturalist to ensure that they are planting
native species and to develop a detailed
implementation and maintenance plan.
There is also an opportunityto maintain the
intent of the Field of Flowers, but relocate it
to an existing park or event space, that can
accommodate parking, is ADA accessible,
and reduces maintenance load on the City.
It is recommended that the City relocate the
Field of Flowers to the Steve Shearer Memorial
Ball Park site (as part of park redesign) on the
north side with connections to the natural
space west of the park.
The property has restrictions established
by the FAA that should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
Recommendations
• Develop a park master plan.
Rezone from Conservation (C) to future
Parks Zoning District.
64 1 City of Kenai
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Park gazebo
i
Perimeter trail around field of flowers
Park entrance sign
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 65
KENAI MUNICIPAL CEMETERY AND CEMETERY EXPANSION
Park Classification Facilities and Amenities
Special Use Park or Facility • Landscaped cemetery grounds
Size • Columbarium
• Memorial gazebo
7.13 acres • Avenue of Flags
Existing Conditions • Decorative fencing surrounding both
The Kenai Municipal Cemetery and Cemetery sections of off -road parking
Expansion consists of the original cemetery
grounds and the expansion, both enclosed
with decorative fencing. The original section
became fully reserved in 2025, though it
is not yet fully occupied. The site includes
a columbarium, a memorial gazebo, and
landscaped grounds that support year-
round visitation and memorial activities. The
expansion is not fully developed, and a full site
plan is underway to include water access, a
veterans' area, a columbarium, and additional
plots.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department provides regular grounds
maintenance, including mowing, trimming,
grave -site care, and seasonal cleanup. Snow
removal is conducted in the winterto maintain
access. The City Clerk's office manages plot
reservations for the cemetery.
Each year, the American Legion performs an
Avenue of Flags ceremony on Memorial Day.
They also help maintain the flagpole.
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Opportunities
The property has restrictions established
by the FAA that should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
Recommendations
• Complete long-term site plan to
include additional parking, its parking
development, and the veteran's area.
Cemetery Entrance
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66 1 City of Kenai
KENAI CITY DOCK
Park Classification
Special Use Park or Facility
Size
12.54 acres
Existing Conditions
City Dock is the community's primary boating
access for the Kenai River. It is extremely
popular for locals and the thousands of visitors
who come to the community in summer for
angling. The facility includes a large gravel
parking lot, four -lane boat launch, and large
commercial dock on the Kenai River. The
dock is not available to the public and is for
commercial use only. The facility includes
seasonal toilets and trash cans. The facility is
fee based duringthe personal use fishery for
parking and use of the boat launch. A large
portion of the southern portion of the park is in
a natural tidelands setting.
All facilities are in good to excellent condition;
however, congestion is a significant concern
during the personal use fishery.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the facilities
and turf areas.
Facilities and Amenities
• Four lane launch ramps
• Parking lot (238 vehicles with trailers,
12 accessible spaces forvehicles with
trailers, 45 vehicles, 8 accessible spaces for
vehicles)
• Running water toilets (summer use)
• Trash cans
• 170-foot commercial dock with three
cranes (5,500 Ibs capacity), not available to
the public.
Public Input
No public inputwas received on this area;
however, City Dock was the subject of
2022 master planning as part of the Kenai
Waterfront Revitalization Assessment.
Recommendations
• Implement the recommendations outlined
in the Kenai Waterfront Revitalization
Assessment.
Parking during fishing season
Boat launch
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 67
MILLENNIUM SQUARE
Park Classification
Open Land or Natural Space
Size
7.08 acres
Existing Conditions
Millennium Square consists of parcels
04705602, 04705805, and 04705870,
with parcel 04705602 developed with the
Scenic Bluff Overlook, grassy public area,
and parking. Portions of the property have
been identified for potential lease or sale
to support future development of a town
square. It is home to rugby games and weekly
practices, soccer practices, general use, and
Kenai's Fall Pumpkin Festival, Kite Festival and
other events. There is no dedicated off-street
parking.
The fields and shelter are in good condition
but the fields have some drainage issues. The
fields provide space for snow storage in the
winter. There is no power, lighting or restrooms
on site.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department preps the fields at the
start of the season and performs weekly
maintenance, including mowing and
fertilizing. The local rugby club also considers
this field their home and hosts annual cleanup
and maintenance days each spring, providing
volunteer support that helps keep the grounds
in good condition.
Facilities and Amenities
Open fields
One small shelterwith picnictable
Off-street parking (limited at Scenic Bluff)
Public Input
Primary community use is for rugby practice
and games and community events. General
consensus feels that this is an underutilized
area and respondents described improving
the fields to be more vibrant or inviting and
having better connections with the Scenic
Overlook Bluff. Ideas included a destination
amphitheater with seatingthat celebrates
Kenai's unique history and culture and creates
a natural place to gather. There was the
desire to provide additional facilities (power,
restrooms, shelters, parking) to better support
festivals and community events. Creating a
dedicated rugby field was also desired.
Opportunities
If the Kenai Sports Complex, Kenai Greenstrip
and the Steve Shearer Memorial Ball Park are
developed as recommended in this study, the
uses for Millennium Square could be relocated
to these areas without the need to expand
existing infrastructure and management. The
desired Millennium Square facilities could be
consolidated where new facil ities are being
proposed. To optimize other places in Kenai
and focus resources on these other areas,
there is an opportunityto reduce the burden
and dispose of M illennium Square or hold for
other community use ratherthan maintaining
this underused area as open space. Maintain
public access from Scenic Bluff Overlookto
Leif Hansen Memorial Park.
The property has restrictions established
bythe FAAthat should be considered when
planning recreational facilities.
Recommendations
• Remove any sports use in the open space
(relocated to Kenai Sports Complex).
• Remove any event use in the open space
(relocate to Steve Shearer Memorial Ball
Park, Kenai Greenstrip, or the Kenai Sports
Complex).
• Dispose of land while maintaining public
access from Scenic Bluff Overlook to Leif
Hansen Memorial Park.
68 1 City of Kenai
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Small shelterat the edge of the field
Turf general use field looking north
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Turf general use field looking south
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 69
SCENIC BLUFF OVERLOOK
Park Classification
Open Land or Natural Space
Size
4.03 acres
Existing Conditions
The Scenic Bluff Overlook is a large open
grass space overlooking the Kenai Riverwith
a pergola that was donated in 2009. The `Bird
Cage' gazebo was built and donated to the City
by Scott Hamann of Metal Magic and installed
in 2009. It is available to rent and used as a
location forweddings.
Erosion along the bluffs has made the river
edge portion unstable. It is anticipated
that approximately one third of the open
space area could erode as part of the bank
stabilization project.
Parkfacilities are limited but are in good
condition. Erosion will be an ongoing concern
that includes public safety.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the grass and
landscaping in the summer.
Artisticgazebo
Facilities and Amenities
• One rentable pergola
• Interpretive displays
• Two trash receptacles
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Community input identifies the Scenic Bluff
Overlook as an enjoyable location to eat lunch,
take pictures, and enjoy the view. There is
mention of undesirable activities that diminish
the value of the park.
Opportunities
Scenic Bluff Overlook is a much -loved space in
Kenai with exceptional views and connections
to natural areas. Public input identified the
desire to further celebrate Kenai's unique
history and culture, creating a natural place to
gather, share, and learn.
The open space at Scenic Bluff Overlook is
currently eroding due to the Kenai River;
however, efforts are underwayto stabilize
the bank. At this time, it is recommended
that the City maintain the open space at the
Scenic Bluff Overlook as it is until the bank
is stabilized and erosion has ceased. At that
time, further planning elements could be
developed for the open space areas.
Recommendations
• Provide a kiosk (or similar) and interpretive
plaza to showcase and celebrate Kenai's
history and culture.
• Develop interpretive signs and wildlife
viewing facilities along riveredge and park.
Open space along the bluff
it *
70 1 City of Kenai
BLUE STAR MEMORIAL
Park Classification
Open Land and Natural Areas
Size
1.0 acres
Existing Conditions
Blue Star Memorial is a large, well -maintained
green space duringthe summer months. The
area features the Blue Star Memorial marker,
several benches, and open landscaped
grounds. The memorial is part of a national
program that began during World War II to
honorthe service and sacrifice of America's
Armed Forces. The "Blue Star" comes from
the tradition of families displaying service
flags with blue stars to represent loved ones
serving in wartime. Today, thousands of Blue
Star Memorials are found across the country,
each uniquely designed and often used as a
gathering space for ceremonies on Memorial
Day, Veterans Day, and other patriotic
occasions.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department mows the grass,
maintains the monument, and plants flowers
in the planters surrounding the memorial.
Facilities and Amenities
• Blue Star Memorial
• Benches
• Planters
• Trash receptacle
Public Input
No public input received on this area.
Recommendations
• No recommendations.
o
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Memorial sign and green space
1
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 71
TARBOX WILDLIFE VIEWING PLATFORM
Park Classification Facilities and Amenities
Open Land or Natural Space
Size
Not applicable
Existing Conditions
The Tarbox Wildlife Viewing Platform was
completed in 2009 through the combined
efforts of ConocoPhillips Alaska, Kenai
Watershed Forum, Keen Eye Birders, City of
Kenai, State of Alaska Department of Natural
Resources, and the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game. The large elevated observation
platform is accessible and allows viewing of
the wetlands. The facility includes interpretive
panels, a benches and trash can, and on -street
parking. The facility is in excellent condition.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department performs annual
cleaning and regulartrash removal.
Viewing platform with sign and fence
• Elevated viewing platform
• Interpretive displays
• Spotting scope, trash receptacle, and bench
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Community input describes this facilityas a
great location to look at the scenery, sunsets,
wildlife, and watch dip netters in July. As
part of the Kenai Waterfront Revitalization
Assessment, there was a desire to create an
elevated boardwalk partially into the tidelands
to improve hunter and wildlife viewing access.
Adding spotting scopes and interpretive
panels were also requested.
Bench and waste receptacle on platform
Opportunities
It is recommended the City move forward
with implementingthe recommendations
outlined in the Kenai Waterfront Revitalization
Assessment which identifies improvements
to this area including extending an elevated
boardwalk.
Recommendations
• Implement the recommendations outlined
in the 2022 Kenai Waterfront Revitalization
Assessment.
72 1 City of Kenai
KENAI WILDLIFE VIEWING PLATFORM
Park Classification Facilities and Amenities
Open Land or Natural Space
Size
Not applicable
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform is a
Land and Water Conservation Fund project
and was developed in 1990. Located along
Bridge Access Road, this highwaywayside
has an elevated timber boardwalk structure,
a spotting scope forviewing wildlife, and
interpretive panels. The wayside includes a
large paved parking lot.
This area has been traditionally used by
waterfowl hunters and provides unique access
opportunities for hunting in the fall months.
The facility is in fair condition and is in need
of maintenance. Settling of the parking lot at
the platform edge has created a barrierthat
prevents the viewing platform from being
accessible.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department performs annual
cleaning and regulartrash removal.
Interpretive panels and spotting scope
• Timber viewing platform with benches
• Interpretive displays
• Spotting scope and trash receptacle
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Community input describes this facilityas a
great location to look at the scenery, sunsets,
and wildlife. There is a desire to do a complete
upgrade this facility.
Opportunities
The Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform is a well -
used facility by locals and visitors. The facilities
provided meet user expectations; however,
are deteriorating and dated. Updatingthese
facilities would continue to provide a positive
experience for the community.
Recommendations
• Review site ADA accessibility plan
• Update and replace interpretive signage
View across Cook Inlet
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Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 73
KENAI NORTH BEACH
Park Classification
Open Land or Natural Space
Size
32.81 acres
Existing Conditions
This community beach -front area provides
access to the north beach of the Kenai
River and Cook Inlet. It is the most popular
destination in Alaska in July due to the
personal use fishery. There is a small paved
area for parking, with a larger parking area
that is unpaved. There are also vault toilets
and camping is permissible during the dip net
fishery season. Fees do apply during this time.
North Beach is also used for halibut fishing
and whale watching. Other times of the year
this beach is a local favorite to walk, have
bonfires, ride a fat bike, fish from shore, orfly
a kite. The facilities are in good condition but
can be undersized duringthe month of July.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department performs daily
maintenance of the toilets and trash pick up
during the summer months and less frequently
during the rest of the year. They monitor beach
access and use during the dip net fishery
season.
North Beach during dip netting season
Facilities and Amenities
• Beach access
• Dip netting and fishing
• Camping (July 10-31)
• Trails
• Trash receptacle
• Vaulttoilets
• Off-street parking
D.
Public Input
Community input describes Kenai North
Beach as a great year round destination for
locals and congested and chaotic during the
dip net fishery season. There is the desire to
better control vehicles on the beach and keep
the area clean.
L
Opportunities
North Beach is well -served. Public feedback
identified the desire to have dedicated
recreation areas with fire pits located near
the beach and better striped parking in
the parking lot. Ensuring the public stays
on approved pathways to reduce impact
on sand dunes has been a focus of the City.
Opportunities include better regulatory
signage.
Recommendations
• Dedicated recreation areas with fire pits
• Clear regulatory signage
74 1 City of Kenai
KENAI SOUTH BEACH
Park Classification
Open Land or Natural Space
Size
32.62 acres
Existing Conditions
Kenai South Beach sits at the south mouth
of the Kenai River. Accessed at the end of
Cannery Road, this site provides outstanding
views of Kenai's "Ring of Fire" to see up to 5
Cook Inletvolcanoes on a clear day.
From July10-31 during the dip net fishery
season the area is very popularwith portions
of the beach fenced off to control access and
manage parking. During the rest of the year, it
is a local favorite, similarto North Beach.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department performs daily
maintenance of the toilets and trash pick up
during the summer months and less frequently
during the rest of the year. They monitor beach
access and use during the dip net fishery
season.
Facilities and Amenities
• Beach access
• Dip netting
• Camping(July10-31)
• Trash receptacle
• Vaulttoilet
• Off-street parking
Public Input
Community input describes the area as a
great year round destination for locals and
congested and chaotic duringtheJuly fishery.
There is the desire to better control vehicles on
the beach and keep the area clean.
Opportunities
Kenai South Beach is well managed by the
City. Opportunities include better regulatory
signage or information distributed during the
busy dip net fishery season. The City should
install detailed regulatory signage on public
awareness of parking, preserving habitat, and
keeping Kenai's beaches clean. Ensuring the
public stays on public lands and not adjacent
private lands is a concern as is impacts to the
adjacent sand dunes.
Recommendations
• Clear regulatory signage
Dip net fishery
South Beach
r 4 04
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 75
The following inventories City trails; however,
specific trail recommendations are not made
as part of this master plan. A community wide
trails master plan needs to be developed
within a public process that will make trail
specific recommendations and identify new
trails and related facilities.
DAUBENSPECK FAMILY PARK
LOOP TRAIL
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, non -motorized.
Length
0.25 miles
Existing Conditions
The route is a gravel path that loops around the
pond, with multiple seating areas and a Story
Walk maintained bythe library. It also passes
byourtwo rentable pavilions, the beach area,
and the adjacent Kenai Bark Park.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the trail
during the summer months. In winter, the trail
is not groomed but members of the public will
still walk it.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash cans
• Path of 10,000 Steps signage
• Benches
• Vault Toilet
BERNIE HUSS MEMORIAL
FITNESS TRAIL (RYAN'S CREEK
TRAIL)
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, non -motorized.
Length
1.1 miles
Existing Conditions
This gravel trail follows Ryan's Creek and forms
part of the Bernie Huss Memorial Fitness
Trail and is part of the Path of 10,000 Steps.
It is frequently used bywalkers, runners, and
families. The corridor includes shaded areas,
creek viewpoints, and informal wildlife viewing
opportunities.
In 1984 the City formally changed the name
from Ryan's Creek Trail to the Bernie Huss
Memorial Fitness Trail.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the trail
during the summer months.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash cans
• 9-hole disc golf course
• Boardwalk segments
• Path of 10,000 Steps signage
SHOUI TSATNU TRAIL (RICHKA
CREEK)
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, non -motorized.
Length
650 feet
Existing Conditions
A dirt trail connecting 4th Avenue and 5th
Avenue. Cuts across the creek and creates
a walking connection between these two
neighborhoods.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the trail
during the summer months.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash cans
• Benches
• Bridge
76 1 City of Kenai
EAST END TRAILS
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, non -motorized.
Length
1 mile
Existing Conditions
The trail system runs parallel to the disc golf
course and provides a well -used walking route.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains this trail
during the summer months and grooms a
section of it in the winterto provide access to
the ski trails. This winter route connects the
high school and middle school, allowingthe
ski teams to reach the trail system.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash cans
• Benches
• Seasonal portable toilet (summer)
LAWTON DRIVE EXTENSION
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, skiing, all -terrain
vehicles, and snow machines.
Length
1.5 miles
Existing Conditions
This route runs adjacent to the Kenai Golf
Course / Kenai Ski Trails winter network, but
is not officially part of it. The corridor also
serves as a utility access road. The route
provides an informal connection between the
neighborhoods surrounding Lawton Drive and
Beaver Loop.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department does not maintain the
trail during the summer months. In winter,
the trail is groomed for Nordic ski use when
conditions allow.
Facilities and Amenities
None.
KENAI SKI TRAILS
Trail Use
Multi -use: Nordic skiing and snow -shoeing.
Length
3.75 miles
Existing Conditions
The Kenai Ski Trails are located on the
Kenai Municipal Golf Course and form an
interconnected network of Nordic ski routes
during the winter months. The system features
a mix of open fairway skiing, gentle rolling
terrain, and wooded sections.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department grooms the trails
throughout the winter for both classic and
skate -style skiing.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash cans
• Seasonal portable toilet (summer)
• Bridges
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 77
MEEKS TRAIL
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, non -motorized.
Length
750 feet
Existing Conditions
Gravel trail connecting Old Town and
providing a walkwayto Kenai North Beach via a
pedestrian bridge.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the trail
during the summer months.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash can
• Benches
• Path of 10,000 Steps signage
• Bridge
MUNICIPAL PARK WALKING
TRAILS
Trail Use
Multi -use: walking, biking, non -motorized.
Length
0.5 miles
Existing Conditions
Municipal Park trails include a variety of
trails and access to the Kenai Lions Club
ADA-accessible viewing area overlooking the
Cook Inlet. The park is located on a former
campground, and its old access roads now
serve as wide, well -packed dirt trails that
provide year-round walking opportunities. It
also serves as an access point to North Beach
from the park.
Maintenance and Operations
The P&R Department maintains the trail
duringthe summer months. Duringthe winter,
the P&R department plows the trail to provide
a safe, off -road walking area.
Facilities and Amenities
• Trash cans
• Seasonal restrooms
• Informal creekviewpoints
• Path of 10,000 Steps signage
• Benches
Ryan's Creek Trail
78 1 City of Kenai
Meeks Trail
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 79
Implementation
.......
.......
PRIORITIES
LOOKING AHEAD: INVESTING IN
OUR COMMUNITY
This portion of the 20-year Parks and
Recreation Master Plan outlines the
implementation and how the City of Kenai will
maintain, improve, and strategically expand
facilities and infrastructure over the next two
decades. The master plan and the priorities
serve as a roadmap to ensure public assets
remain safe, functional, and aligned with
community needs.
Built From Community Input
The priorities identified reflect:
• Public engagement and feedback
• Facility condition assessments
• Operational analysis
• Anticipated demographic and service
trends
Field of Flowers
THE FIRST 5 YEARS
Through the City's regular planning process
for the 5-year capital plan, there is a current
list of capital improvement projects. The first
5-years of priority projects will include already
established City capital projects and some
smaller recommendations from this plan.
List of top priorities for the next 5 years
of departments
• Old Town Park -Playground replacement
design
• Old Town Park -Playground replacement
• Multi -Purpose Facility- Replace locker
rooms 1 and 2 and refurbishment of interior
locker room 3, 4 and 5
• Multi -Purpose Facility -Roof replacement
design
• Multi -Purpose Facility -Roof replacement
• Parks and Recreation Shop -Relocation
design
• Parks and Recreation Shop -Relocation
• Multi -Purpose Facility -Enclosure feasibility
study
• Multi -Purpose Facility- Refrigeration system
replacement
• Improve and add Interpretive signage to
Scenic Bluff Overlook, Municipal Park, Erik
Hansen Park, Kenai Wildlife Platform, and
Tarbox Viewing Platform
• Cunningham Park -Add a fish cleaningtable
• Eagle Disc Golf Course -Additional signage
• Construct outdoor pickleball courts
• Develop and implement a turf reduction
plan
• Review all parks and recreation zoning and
change as needed
• Create design standards for all park
signage, benches, and other equipment
THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS
The second 5-year period focuses on some
of the biggest projects recommended in this
master plan and contains general projects
that the Parks and Recreation Department
anticipates in the next 10 years.
List of priorities for the next 5-10 years
• Kenai Sports Complex -Consolidation
design
• Kenai Sports Complex -Phase 1 construction
• Kenai Sports Complex -Phase 2 construction
• Kenai Little League -Conversion into a
campground
• Kenai Greenstrip-Design of community
complex plan after relocating fields
• Leif Hansen Park -Gazebo replacement
• Recreation Center -Recreation room
conversion
• Municipal Park -Playground replacement
• Cunningham Park -Vault toilet replacement
• Recreation Center- Lighting to full led
conversion
• Recreation Center -Weight room
refurbishment
• Recreation Center-Wallyball courts remodel
• Recreation Center-Entry/backroom
remodel
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 81
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE:
YEARS 11-20
This section of the plan includes community
input and anticipated longer range projects
from the Parks and Recreation Department.
List of priorities years 11-20
• Beaver Creek Park -Playground replacement
• New Neighborhood Park (Location to be
determined) -New neighborhood park and
playground
• Eagle Disc Golf Course -Paving disc golf trail
• Kenai Skate Park -Park relocation
• Kenai Greenstrip-Playground replacement
• Kenai Greenstrip-New pavilion
• Daubenspeck Park -Vault toilet replacement
• Recreation Center -Roof replacement
• Kenai Municipal Golf Course -Warming
shack at ski trails
• Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform -Platform
replacement
• Kenai Municipal Golf Course -Irrigation and
power design
• Leif Hansen Park -Electrical replacement
• Kenai Greenstrip- Electrical replacement
• Recreation Center -Entry and parking lot
improvements
A FLEXIBLE PLAN
The project priorities identified in this master
plan represent a desired vision that exceeds
current General Fund allocations. This is
intentional, as it reflects the community and
City desires while ensuring the stewardship of
park and recreation assets. To implement this
vision, the City will utilize a diversified funding
strategy —including bonds, state and federal
grants, private -public partnerships, and other
funding sources to supplement traditional City
funding.
Adaptive Management
The master plan's twenty-year roadmap
requires a living document approach. To
remain responsive, the City will evaluate and
recalibrate priorities based on the following:
• Community Growth: Monitoring
demographic shifts and community
expansion to ensure service levels keep
pace with resident needs.
• Facility Lifecycle: Prioritizing reinvestment
based on real-time assessments of assets
and safety.
• Financial Capacity: Matching project
timelines with the availability of specialized
grants or favorable economic conditions.
• Evolving Trends: Adapting to changing
recreational trends and needs to ensure
facilities remain relevant forfuture
generations.
The City reserves the right to accelerate
specific priorities when new opportunities
arise —such as grants and philanthropic gifts,
land acquisitions, or new partnerships. Any
proposed changes will be conducted with
transparency, involving the public to ensure
the community remains part of the master
planning effort and any updates.
Five -Year Performance Audit
To maintain the integrity and momentum of
this master plan, the Parks and Recreation
Department will conduct a formal evaluation of
this master plan every five years. This audit will
serve three functions:
• Accountability: Reporting on completed
projects and milestones achieved
• Validation: Re-evaluating asset conditions
and deferred maintenance needs
• Recalibration: Updatingthe priority list
to reflect the current fiscal conditions,
opportunities, and community needs.
Through this audit process, the City ensures
that the master plan remains notjusta
visionary document, but an actionable and
resilient blueprint for the future of parks and
recreation in Kenai.
82 1 City of Kenai
FUNDING
OVERVIEW
This section provides general funding
information forthe City of Kenai, as well as a
generic list of potentially available external
funding opportunities. This information will
become outdated as funding sources and
opportunities change rapidly, and should be
validated priorto pursuing any source.
CITY FUNDING
Capital Improvement Programs
A capital improvement program (CIP), or
capital investment plan, is a plan for capital
expenditures of a governmentto be incurred
each year over a fixed period of future years.
While policy guidelines vary, capital projects
are generally expenditures for infrastructure,
buildings and facilities, equipment, and land
that are generally expensive (over a certain
dollar amount), non -recurring, and have a
useful life expectancy of more than one year.
Large projects like park acquisition, park
construction, and other recreation projects
that require borrowing of funds can often be
included in the City's CIP. Local government
capital funds may be used as a match to apply
for federal or state grants.
General Fund
The General Fund finances basic maintenance
and operations and is not a consideration
for funding major park projects. It is a
consideration forfunding staffing increases
that may be needed if some new parks are
built or expanded as outlined in the master
plan.
Bonds
Local governments can finance large capital
recreation projects by seeking approval from
citizens to approve debt financing through
a bond referendum orvote. Bonds are most
useful for long-term debt for large capital
projects.
GRANT FUNDING OPTIONS
Community Development Block Grant
Administration: Department of Urban Housing
and Development (HUD). Alaska Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Department of Commerce, Community,
and Economic Development Division of
Community and Regional Affairs.
Funding type and range; Single -purpose
project grants up to $850,000
Eligibility: For public facilities and planning
activities. Non -profits may apply as co -
applicants.
Timing: In atypical year, applications are
distributed in late fall, and awards are made
the following spring.
The CDBG is "a flexible program that provides
communities with resources to address a wide
range of unique community development
needs." The amount for CDBG funding for a
particular area is determined by HUD using
a number of factors, including population
growth and poverty level. Federal regulations
require at least 51 percent of the population
that benefits from funded projects or activities
be low and moderate income.
Within Alaska, the CDBG provides funding
annuallyto all Alaska communities, aside from
Anchorage, for community development,
which includes public facilities, and planning
to address "issues detrimental to the health
and safety of local residents and to reduce
the costs of essential community services."
Additionally, the funding may be used to fund
Special Economic Development activities that
result in job creation for low and moderate
income people.
Community Facilities Direct Loan and
Grant Program: Alaska
Administration: USDA, Rural Development
Program
Funding type and range: The program offers
three funding sources; low interest direct
loans, grants, or a combination of the two.
Federal share for grants is up to a maximum of
55 percent for communities with a population
of less than 12,000. Program is open year
round.
Eligibility: Federal, state, and local land
management agencies, Tribes, and non -profits
with legal agreements.
This program provides affordable funding
to develop essential community facilities in
rural areas. An essential community facility
is defined as a facilitythat provides an
essential service and does not include private,
commercial or business undertakings. Funds
can be used to purchase, construct, and/
or improve essential community facilities,
purchase equipment and pay project expenses
that could include parks and playgrounds.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 183
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Grant Program
Administration: Department of Interior,
National Park Service (NPS).
Funding type and range: Grants that require a
50% match. Grant amounts may vary by grant
cycle. In 2022 the minimum grant award was
$25,000 (project at least $50,000), and the
maximum was $250,000 (project at least
$500,000).
Eligibility: State, regional, or local
governments with the legal authority to
provide park and recreation services on public
lands.
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is
a 50/50 matching and reimbursable program.
Eligible project types are identified and
prioritized in the Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Over 300
LCWF grants have been awarded in Alaska,
including projects for developing or improving
local parks and playgrounds. August 2020
the Great American Outdoors Act fully and
permanently funded this program.
A community can generate the match
through a number of ways, including cash or
documented in -kind labor, goods and services,
volunteertime, or donations.
Rasmuson Foundation Grants
Administration: Rasmuson Foundation
Funding type and range: Various options
Eligibility: Alaska based 501(c)(3) non -profits
or local or tribal government.
The Rasmuson Foundation promotes civic
responsibility and individual philanthropy
amongst Alaskans; economic possibilities
for Alaskans; educational opportunity for
Alaskans; healthy Alaska families; quality
health care for Alaskans; strong leaders;
vibrant arts and culture in Alaska. The
Foundation has been a strong supporter of
parks, trails, and playgrounds projects in the
past.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Administration: Environmental Protection
Agency(EPA)
Funding type and range: This is a low interest
loan program intended to finance public
infrastructure improvements.
It is required that 10% of the CWSRF be used
for green infrastructure projects, many of
which are or can be done in parks. Application
deadlines vary depending on the specific state
and type of project. The program provides
loans for planning, design and construction.
Recreational Trails Program
Administration: Alaska Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities/Federal
H ighwayAdministration (FHWA).
Funding type and range: Federal share is up
to 80 percent with Federal agencies able to
provide additional Federal funds up to 95
percent. The maximum grant is $300,000 for
motorized and $200,000 for non -motorized
and non -motorized diversified trail projects.
Eligibility: Federal, state, and local land
management agencies and non -profits with
legal agreements.
Timing: Annual grant period, typically open in
late summer and early autumn.
Federal transportation funds benefit
recreation including hiking, bicycling, in -
line skating, equestrian use, cross-country
skiing, snowmobiling, off -road motorcycling,
all -terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving,
or using other off -road motorized vehicles.
Projects can include repairofexistingtrails,
new trails, and acquisition of easements
or property for trails. This grant can be
used for maintaining public recreational
trails and related facilities, and for safety
and educational projects. The Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law of 2021 reauthorized the
RTP through fiscal years 2022-2026.
84 1 City of Kenai
Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP)
Administration: Federal H ighway
Administration (FHWA).
Fundingtype and range: Grants require a
minimum 20% match. This percentage can
be higher (sliding scale), depending on the
amount of publicly owned Federal land in the
state. Grant amounts vary by grant cycle. In
FY 2020 the program had a budget of $270
million.
Eligibility: State, regional, or local
governments with the legal authority to
manage transportation facilities including
trails and other corridors.
Timing: The next request for proposals for the
Alaska FLAP will likely be in 2026.
The Federal Lands Access Program was
established to improve transportation
facilities that provide access to, are adjacent
to, or are located within Federal lands. The
FLAP supplements State and local resources
for public roads, transit systems, and other
transportation facilities, with an emphasis
on high -use recreation sites and economic
generators. Approximately$69.5 million in
FLAPfunds have been obligated in Alaska.
The Skatepark Project Grants
Administration: The Skatepark Project
Funding type and range: Grants of $1,000 to
$25,000.
Eligibility: Provided to non-profit
organizations and state or local agencies,
including public schools.
Timing: Letters of Inquiry year-round and has
quarterly award cycles.
The Skatepark Project is dedicated to
promoting the construction of new, quality
skateparks located in under -served
communities throughout the United States.
The Skatepark Project primarily supports
projects that can demonstrate a strong
grassroots commitment, particularly in the
form of planning and/or fundraising by local
skateboarders and other community groups.
Priority is given to projects that are designed
to increase equity, are built from concrete
by experienced skatepark contractors and
include local skaters in the process.
Federal Lands to Parks Program
Administration: Department of Interior,
National Park Service (NPS)
The Federal Lands to Parks Program helps
communities to acquire, reuse and protect
surplus federal properties for local parks and
recreation. States, counties, and communities
may acquire federal land and buildings no
longer needed by the federal government at
no cost on condition they are protected for
public parks and recreation. Since its inception
in 1949, this program has transferred about
184,000 acres of land to state and local
governments for parks and recreation use.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan 1 85
Community Built Playspace Grants
Administration: KABOOM!
Funding type and range: Funding for design,
planning, equipment and community -
build. Amountvaries depending on project.
Applicant is required to provide a portion of
funding for purchase of play equipment.
Eligibility: Provided to non-profit
organizations and state or local agencies,
including public schools.
Timing: On-line application with extended
open periods and award cycles.
Since 1996, KABOOM! has collaborated with
partners to build, open or improve more
than 16,700 playgrounds across the country.
Projects are community -driven and include
playgrounds, adventure courses, and multi -
sport courts with a minimum of 2,000 square
feet of improvements. The land manager is
required to complete site preparation and
demonstrate a community need for the
playground. Community -Built Playspace
grants are limited onlyto certain cities or areas
for each funding cycle. At this time, Alaska is
not one of the listed states for grant funding.
Playground Manufacturer Grants and
Promotions
Various playground equipment manufacturers
will occasionally hold promotional events
where grants or discounted equipment
is available to applicants. These tend to
be revolving opportunities with specific
application periods and are often not regularly
scheduled. Many manufacturers have
e-mail lists to receive product updates and
promotional offers.
Corporate Grants
A variety of corporations provide money for
community projects including parks and
playgrounds. Amounts typically range from
$500 to 5,000 but some offer larger amounts.
Corporations include Walmart, Kroger, Bank of
America, Wells Fargo, REI, LL Bean, Subaru of
America, and others and typically need to have
a local presence for consideration.
OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS
Local Businesses and Organizations
Local businesses and community service
organizations have supported parks
and recreation. Local service clubs have
successfully funded and provided laborfor
the repair and installation of new playgrounds
and park improvements throughout Alaska.
Volunteer groups that include local groups
(Boy Scouts, labor unions, the Rotary Club, and
others) as well as the many larger businesses
such as the Home Depot and others often
provide volunteer hours by their staff (and
sometimes funding) forthe communities they
serve.
Park Foundation
The creation of a local Kenai Park Foundation
non-profit as a 501(c)(3) would allow
residents to advocate for and raise funds
for parks and playground improvements in
the community. Non -profits have additional
access to funding and grants that a typical
City government may not. Park Foundations
have been established in Juneau, Sitka and
Anchorage and are in the establishment
stages for several other Alaska communities.
RESOURCES
The National Recreation and Park Association
periodically posts information about grant and
fundraising opportunities that are available
for park and recreation agencies, affiliated
friends group, and 501(c)(3) non -profits.
These opportunities can be found at: https://
www.nrpa.org/our-work/Grant-Fundraising-
Resources
Public meeting
86 1 City of Kenai