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.