Kincaid Park

Kincaid Park

 

Kincaid Park is named after Ralph Kincaid (1907-1953) homesteaded in Sand Lake, now the International Airport. He founded Granite Products, Inc., which later became known as Kincaid & King Construction. His construction company contributed equipment and services for the construction of several playing fields and playgrounds throughout Anchorage. “Kincaid Park” was originally a 27 acre tract of land located near the northeast side of Jewel Lake. In the mid-1960’s the Municipality of Anchorage acquired land near the Airport and Kincaid Park was relocated to this site.

 

Kincaid Park is one of the most popular parks in Anchorage. The size of the park is approximately 1500 acres and total length of trails extends more than 30 miles. The park was originally used as Nike-Hercules missile storing site during 1950s. The land was transfered to Anchorage in 1980 and have been develpoed as a park. Today, you can still find Concreate missile silos converted to storages.

 

The park was originally developed as a prime cross-country ski park in winter, and bike and hiking trail in summer. As users diversified, the park has added several features, including soccer fields, flyingdisk golf courses, and further widening the trails for Olympic level croscountry ski racing events.

 

Attraction of the park is its size and being able to accomdate variety of users. A perfect place for families. Kincaid Park Chalet provide a woderful view Cook Inlet and moutains. On nice clear sunny day, you should see Denali. The Chalet is available for rent.

 

Trails of the Kincaid Park

 

Kincaid Park trails are designed and constructed by volunteers of the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage, so that many trails crown names of prominent members and their family, such as Arlen Mize (Arlen’s Way, Arlen’s Overlook) , Dick Mize (Mize Loop, Mize’s Folley), John Elliott (Elliott’s Climb), Andrew Lekisch (Andrew Lekisch Trail System), Alex Sission (Allex Sisson Loop), Margaux Menaker (Margaux’s Loop), Pia Margrethe-Denkewalter (Pia-Margretehe’s overloook), Kimberly Berg (Kimberly Berg Biathlon Range).

 

The trails are mostly wide and flat surfaced. Trails consist of series of small and large loops. Further, those trails are connected by small single track / animal trails. A trail map is available at the park chalet and by Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage.

 

The trail are classified into 3 types: beginners (mostly flat and small up-down slopes), intermediate (combination of flat and some moderate up-down slopes), and advanced (combination of steep up-down trails). Based your physical level and available time, choose combination of trails.

 

In summer, all trails are multi-use, walkers, runners, bikers. As many parts of the park is constructed on wetland, some trails are muddy, wet, and may be closed in early spring. In winter, almost all of trails are skiers only. Only multi-use trail are Bike Trails along Raspberry Road and Coastal Trail.

 

 

Kincaid Outdoor Center: http://www.muni.org/parks/parkdistrictsw.cfm

 

Direction to the Kincaid Park

 

Take Minnesota and at Raspberry Rd. Drive toward the direction of the Airport. Keep driving until the end.

 

Park Entrance

 

Kincaid Park has 4 main parking area: 1) Little Capmbell Lake, 2) Raspberry, 3) Stadium / Chalet, and 4) Jodhpur. While the first 3 entrances are located on Raspberry Road, Jodphur entrance is located on Jodhpur road.

 

Little Campbell Lake

 

To reach the parking lot, take the first road on right immediately after the main park entrance. This is a nice place for picnic by the water. Lake trails go through woods and circle around the lake and reaches to Raspberry parking lot. The trails tend to be hilly with big dipping slope named “Big Niagara”!!

 

 

Raspberry

 

This is the first parking lot on Raspberry road before a bridge. This parking lot is the only parking lot accessible after park is closed.

 

Stadium / Chalet

 

All easy trails are starts from this area. Stop by Chalet for a map.

 

 

Jodhpur

 

Jodhpur parking lot is located on Jodphur street. To reach the Jodhpur entrance, take Minnesota, off at Dimond Bulverd. Take Dimond Bulverd to west (toward ocean/airport). When the road vend to right, the road becomes Jodhpur Road. From this point. look for an entrance road on left (Western/ocean side). The parking lot is located first right, further down is a parking lot for Motocross.

 

 

 

Kincaid Park Map: created by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage