Anchorage, AK – After two decades of perseverance and 122 hours of volunteer labor, Anchorage’s Russian Jack Springs Park welcomed enthusiastic bikers to its newly opened mountain bike trails on Tuesday.
The project, conceived by local residents Steve Cleary and Carl Battreall, aimed to create a nearby venue for teaching children mountain biking skills. Their vision finally came to fruition with the inauguration of three miles of winding singletrack trails, complete with features like dirt jumps, berms, and wooden skinnies.
Eight-year-old Dominic Prossick-Brown, among the first to test the trails, expressed his excitement: “These are my favorite trails so far. I love bike riding. It’s my favorite activity to do.”
Located conveniently for East Anchorage residents, the trails are expected to serve as a community hub for biking enthusiasts of all ages, allowing them to hone their skills close to home. Steve Cleary, also Executive Director of Alaska Trails, highlighted the significance of the location’s accessibility: “With over a dozen schools within a mile radius, we envision this park as a place where young people can learn and have fun in their own neighborhood.”
Reflecting on the project’s long journey to completion, Carl Battreall remarked, “It took years, but it’s been worth every moment. We hoped our kids would enjoy it by now—they’re older, but they’ll still get to use it. You have to be resilient; these things take time.”
Supported by grants from The Anchorage Park Foundation, state funding, and contributions from Mighty Bikes, the construction of the trails began in fall 2023 with assistance from local youth and dedicated volunteers.
The Russian Jack trails, named creatively after the park’s history as a Girl Scout camp, offer a range of challenges suitable for beginners to advanced riders. Steve Cleary emphasized the trails’ role in skill development and safety, noting, “My son has been using these trails since he was 6 or 8, building confidence and progressing to more advanced techniques over time.”
With the opening of these singletrack trails, Anchorage’s biking community gains not just a recreational asset but a testament to community spirit and perseverance.
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