Flat Top Parking Lot Expansion Project Receives Funds; 50 More Spaces Expected

About $715,000 was budgeted for the parking lot expansion project at the request of lawmakers, and approved by Gov. Parnell in this year's capital budget.

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Jul 4, 2011 at 3:23 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jul 4, 2011 at 10:26 PM AKDT

Many Anchorage residents regularly hike Flat Top, but finding a place to park your car has been an issue for years. But now, funds in the capital budget will pay for more parking spaces to accommodate trail users.

Last summer, a sea of parked cars flooded the area surrounding the 155-space Glen Alps parking lot. Drivers parked vehicles along Toilsome Road, prompting Anchorage police to issue $200 tickets to more than one hundred people.

Even today, trail users parked down the hill from the parking lot when spots turned scarce, however, a summer shower soon rained out many of the daytrippers opening more spots up.

Joseph Gauthreaux, a hiker, said had it not rained that afternoon he wouldn’t have had a place to park.

The addition of 50 parking spaces near the Glen Alps parking lot will begin late summer 2011, accompanied by soil testing.

About $715,000 was budgeted for the parking lot expansion project at the request of lawmakers, and approved by Gov. Parnell in this year's capital budget.

Another hiker, Brenda McLaughlin, said the additional parking spaces would be a “hallelujah.”

The new parking spaces will be about a quarter of a mile from the main cabin on Flat Top.

“The more people that hike the better,” said McLaughlin.

Park officials expect the additional parking spaces will be available next spring, and said that final plans are being drafted.

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Logical solution said on Monday, Jul 23 at 2:15 PM

715000 / 200 dollar tickets = 3575 tickets New lot with less frustration = priceless Always one egghead that wants the government to not spend money and bring out pointless math to try and oversimplify things. Good job legislators, designers and contractors for getting this going when the people of the state and tourists need it.

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K Hodder said on Monday, Jul 4 at 8:51 PM

$715,000 / 50 = 14,300 per space.

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olddg said on Monday, Jul 4 at 4:22 PM

I love flattop. Parking is hard there on good days

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akbandit said on Monday, Jul 4 at 4:21 PM

You guys interested in hiring a proofreader? It appears the one you had, quit! lol

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