Finally … trail on Spit happens

• Scenic 4.5-mile trail to tip of Homer Spit could be finished by spring

By Naomi Klouda
Homer Tribune
New developments are underway to remove roadblocks to the dawdling, 12-year-old Homer Spit Trail project that was stopped at the end of phase one due to funding woes.
The City of Homer is making plans to take over the project from the Alaska Department of Transportation and start perhaps as soon as next spring, said City Manager Walt Wrede. Currently, the trail extends about halfway down the 4.5 mile spit, stopping just shy of Pier One Theatre. The plan is to extend it out to Land’s End Resort.
Pat Coleman, a senior planner at USKH, said finishing the trail is important in order to create safe, pedestrian-friendly walkways.
“We really need to complete that trail,” he said. “There’s a total lack of pedestrian facilities from the fishing lagoon south to end of the Spit.”
Public Works Director Carey Meyer, who will oversee the project, said he hasn’t yet seen any of the designs already completed by the state.
When the written design is completed, the public will be able to weigh in on the plan, perhaps this winter.
The Homer Spit Trail was finished from Kachemak Drive to Pier One Theatre in 1997-98 by DOT. Then no funding was available for phase two, said DOT’s area planner, Joselyn Biloon. When cruise tax money became available for projects, Homer applied for the funds. In a competitive process, Homer won $2 million, demonstrating that finishing the trail would benefit tourism, as is a requirement for the grant.
“Conceptually, we’ve talked about it continuing past Pier One Theatre to Freight Dock Road, crossing that, and running over to join the trail at the small boat harbor,” Meyer explained. “It would then run the length of the harbor to cross Fish Dock Road and continue to End of the Road Park.”
The End of the Road Park is the area alongside Land’s End to the east, which also is to be developed further, as outlined in the Spit Comprehensive Plan. Imagine benches and a public restroom there.
Meyer said he is hoping the $2 million will cover the trail, bathrooms and signage. Part will be paved, and part could be boardwalk.
“These are decisions that need to be made,” Meyer said. “This sounds like a lot of money, but these days I’m more concerned about how to get it done.”
USKH will present some ideas in an upcoming public meeting. Coleman said two key elements considered crucial in the plan are “safety and comfort” for spit walkers.
Already, a new piece of the trail project is put into place. Public Works finished clearing and paving a parking lot off Kachemak Drive to expand the number of cars that can park at the base of the trail.
Currently, the City of Homer is taking public input on the Homer Spit Comprehensive Plan, which will be completed in the spring of 2010. The next meeting is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Sept. 10.
The plan will address future land use, parking, pedestrian issues and conservation. It will also serve to guide future community decision-making on the Spit for years to come.
 The Planning Commission and City Council both indicated that they want as much citizen participation as possible.