Over the years, the quality and availability of services here has deteriorated significantly. The…read moreparking lot has ginormous pot holes, you can no longer rent paddle boats or boats, the snack and bathroom building is permanently closed, and the final nail in the coffin- no more lifeguards in the summer. The city of ANCHORAGE continues to make.excuses for why services continue to retract, but we all know why. Politicians lining their pockets with tax monies instead of doing what they were hired to do. The only good thing about this location is it is attached to the pedestrian trail system.

My grandpa had a float plate back in the 70s and we use to come to this lake all the time when I…read morewas young. The lake was so clear and beautiful from what I remember. I remember swimming in it and came outa the water and it was the first time I've seen leaches stuck to my legs. Of course my grandparents thought this was so funny back then. When my grandma was still alive I asked her to take me back to this lake to reminisce the good times we had when I was young. I had great memories from this lake.

I probably spend more time at this park year round than any other park in Anchorage proper. It is…read moreconveniently connected to multiple trails and easy to access on foot from most of West Anch, Spenard, Northstar/Valley of the Moon, Midtown, and Downtown. If you've got a bike, you can connect from even further out very easily. As such, the Lagoon looks a lot like a Gilmore Girls community and is popular with people year round. There are frequently small sponsored events going on- the coolest of which involves ice skating in the winter. I personally love this park because it's a great place to bird watch. It's a fragile breeding ground for aquatic birds (take note dog owners - IT IS NOT OK TO LET YOUR DOGS OFF LEASH HERE OR LET THEM SWIM!) Red Neck Grebes are one if the more unusual arctic birds that breed here. The arctic terns also put on quite a show. Various loons and cranes also make an appearance, as well as some unique ducks. There's also an awesome playground and snack bar for the kiddies. A few years ago they also installed a bike counter that tracks the thousands that use the Tony Knowles at various intervals - it's fun to watch the numbers climb as the season goes on. There's also a free bike maintenance station here. Definitely a great location for lots and tourists alike, but parking is a problem, so carpool or better yet, use the trails!

This is a park which also goes by the name also known as Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park, is home to a…read moreman-made water fowl sanctuary, a lake, a disc golf course and a playground. They have private parking lots for you to park free of charge. It is located near downtown and is a welcomed break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It conveniently lies at the intersection of two of Anchorage's most popular trails, the Tony Knowles and Chester Creek trails. There were many runners traveling through while I was there, going through the two little tunnels that run under the road. You will find benches and picnic tables here to sit around the lake. This is home to lots, I mean lots, lots of waterfowl. They seemed aggressive, so I kept my distance. The disc golf course was nice but was covered in snow and mud. The lake is nice and during the winter is converted to an ice hockey/skating rink. My only complaint is that the park could be a little cleaner, even though part is that could be due to me visiting off-season. There were some maintenance guys there do some other stuff. The park is touted as a great place to bird watch in the spring and you can see other animals such as moose, beaver in the early morning or late evening, muskrats, foxes, otters, and minks, year-round, but it is rare. I did not see any of them. This nature park has a calming kind of peace to it, even though you hear the hum of cars on the nearby road. Just sitting on the bench looking out to the lake was so very soothing. If your schedule permits, I highly recommend visiting this place to just relax and recharge.

Just an awesome trail for that afternoon stroll or biking or running whatever you may do here it…read morecan be fone here have fun

We decided to have our wedding in the park since it's close to our house and has a pretty…read morefootbridge over the creek. I spent the better part of a day shoveling snow off the bridge so our guests didn't get sucked into 3 feet of snow, but it was worth it. My only complaint is the city needs to do something about the parking lot. Since I always walk here, I didn't realize until my wedding day how absolutely jacked this parking lot is. If you don't have an all wheel vehicle, there is a very good likelihood you will bottom out and get stuck in the ginormous holes at the entrance to this parking lot. Other than that, it was a beautiful day.

Having completed a few 5k's this summer, I was recently re-introduced to this beautiful trail…read moresystem. I agree with other Yelpers when it comes to the trail being secluded and more "in the woods," compared to say, The Tony Knowles trail, which is a favorite of mine. Because of this, you're definitely more likely to see wildlife on this trail, so be bear and moose aware. Carry lots of bug spray. The biggest pro about this trail for me, is all the shallow fresh water access points. Please note, the most secluded parts of this trail are also home to Anchorage's homeless population, so it's best to be aware of your surroundings in general.

Anchorage's urban trail system is it's biggest asset that no one outside of Anchorage knows about,…read moreand that folks in Anchorage take for granted. This one runs West-to-East. In the west, it starts at Westchester Lagoon and it seems to end at Goose Lake Park in the east. I use a good chunk of it to bike commute. It's nice in that it rarely intersects a road. Where it approaches a main-vain, it tunnels underneath the road. Chester Creek is also very picturesque in parts. It's got a gentle flow, it's lined with trees, and it's dotted with quaint little wooden bridges. It makes me want to sing "Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go!" It's decently groomed in the winter, and is the realm of XC skiers and fat bikers, but it can be done with some good waterproof boots, on foot, as well.

Derek was an incredible guide on our night hike at Hatcher's Pass. The hike started at 8:00 pm and…read morewe went until around 11:30-12:00 pm. He had snacks, extra gear, hot water and made sure we were comfortable the whole way.

I rented snow shoes from True North for a last minute hike in early December. I was given this…read morereferral by our cabin owner, and I was blown away by the customer service. Not only did the owner deliver the snow shoes to my cabin, but he also threw in some complimentary bear spray because he could tell how nervous I was about encountering wildlife. When I wanted to add another pair of rentals for my husband the following day, he drove his van full of kids to meet me off the highway to deliver them with the threat of a big snow storm closing in fast. We were able to leave the rentals in our cabin upon checkout, and he picked them up for us. Incredible convenient. I can't recommend this company and the sweet owner enough!

University Lake Dog Park is a great one mile loop around a lake that is an opportunity to walk you…read morepooch off leash. Before I rescued my pup, I would often take walks/runs there because again, it's a mile loop that is an easy path right off the APU ski system and other Anchorage trail system. There is a designated parking area; however, it seems many park goers park closer to the field entrance by the hotel where it is marked as a fire lane. I would be cautious parking here, but it seems to be a popular parking zone. Most of the time I walk from home, it builds up more excitement anyways! The park is great, as there is water access for your dog, a couple fields for dogs to play or for you to have 1:1 for play time or to work with your dog. The dog owners the come are friendly dog people and seem to always be excited to share about their pup, and most understand when yours has a special need, is shy, or just is having a day. However, every owner and person also has to remember to be responsible for their pet and know you are in a dog park. Carrying treats may welcome more attention than you want, hunan food may not be the best idea, and flexibility with dogs in training must be present at all times. We have allll been there with our pooch. Should children come? Yes! But also remember it's a dog park so we are here for them and know when to keep it moving. We all want our pets and the kids to be safe. I've seen people run, bike, ski, and sled with their pooch through the park and it's been epic. My mini Aussie Shepard loves her park time and this park means so much to her as she has become more social and learned people are ok, she can move along, and loves to play with other dogs. Enjoy this park!!

I like this park a lot. It's closer to my home than the other park, but it's not as busy as the…read moreother park, which I dig sometimes. There are a couple of parking lots off Elmore, one directly and one that's on down a road a bit off Elmore (can't remember, but I'll update review when I mentally remember to look). This location, like the last location has multiple trails off the main trail around the lake, and there are helpful leash signs at crossroads of what is part of the leash-free park and what isn't. I like how many dogs have an opportunity to swim in the lake, but I noticed a couple of beaver dams last year and I wonder how much this affects the habitat. Guess they can move on if it interferes? I like that this park is up against the hospital campus so workers and sickies alike can take a healthy walk when able. People and pets are generally good, but like the other park this place is only as good as the people in it. Earlier this year there were a few car break-ins in the lot off Elmore, and that feels like the absolute worst to worry about your belongings while running your pup. Will come again.