Alaskan Trail Where Bear Attack Occurred Closed

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City to close trail where bear attacked cyclist

The Rover’s Run trail in Far North Bicentennial Park will be closed this summer. (Rich Jordan/KTUU-TV)

There is also a plan to limit access to creeks. (Rich Jordan/KTUU-TV)

 

by Ashton Goodell
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Anchorage Department of Parks and Recreation plans to close Rover’s Run this summer at Far North Bicentennial Park.

Last summer, a bear mauled a cyclist riding along the trail during a bike competition. The trail was closed after that attack, and this year officials say they don’t want to wait for another problem.

The Arctic Bicycle Club plans to find a new venue for its 24-hour bike race and said that after the attack last year it only made sense to find a new location. This year people will scout the trail, making noise before the cyclists ride through.

Right now the trail is closed to bikers, but hikers can still use it. The plan is to close the trail to all users early in the summer before the salmon run, though a closing date hasn’t been set.

Joshua Ream hikes the trails near Rover’s Run. He says he’s more aware of bears than ever before.

“It’s important just to be bear savvy and to know what you are doing,” he said. “I think a lot of people get bear-a-phobic and that keeps them from venturing into areas that they normally would like to.”

There’s also a plan to stop making trails within 100 feet of certain creeks.

“The biggest thing the municipality can do is really do that outreach and education component, and make people aware and encourage people to be safe,” said Brad Dunker, an engineering technician with Parks and Rec.

The city installed bear-proof garbage can lids to help keep bears away from trails. Parks and Rec says the bear problem is correlated to trash along hiking trails.