Valdez, AK – State parks units in the Valdez area will remain open and under new management now that Alaska State Parks has permitted Levitation 49 to become stewards. The agreement Includes Management of Blueberry Campground and Shoup Bay Cabins.
Due to statewide budget cuts, the State’s lone resource officer was withdrawn and State Park assets in Valdez faced closure. Levitation 49, a non-profit sports commission, submitted a community-based response to a request for proposals to manage and maintain all five State Park units in the area.
“Community-based stewardship of such treasured natural assets makes sense on many levels,” said Lee Hart, Levitation 49 Executive Director. “Our management team includes a city councilman, teacher and independent contractors. Local management means hiring local which keeps money circulating in the local economy.”
Under its proposal, Levitation 49 will use earnings from camping fees from two of the State Park units to offset maintenance expenses of the three non-revenue generating sites. The two fee sites include three cabins at Shoup Bay State Marine Park and 15 campsites at Blueberry Lake Campground on Thompson Pass. The three free sites are Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site on Thompson Pass, the rugged Shoup Bay Trail that connects Valdez to Shoup Bay, and Mineral Creek State Recreation Site, known locally as Kiter Point.
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The two-year permit is effective June 15 and is renewable for up to five more years for a total of seven years. Hart said this season will be a learning year to get a better handle on day-to-day operations, revenues and expenses in order to better understand opportunities and obstacles for improvements.
Immediate needs include is seeking a campground host to take up residence immediately at Blueberry Lake Campground. Interested parties should send a letter of interest and references to Levitation49@gmail.com. Check Levitation 49’s Facebook page for details about the next monthly volunteer trail day on Saturday, July 9. L49 is also asking for ongoing volunteer help to maintain Shoup Trail this summer; call 907.351.6878 to coordinate.
ABOUT. Levitation 49 is a non-profit sports commission dedicated to economic diversification through events and projects that enhance the mountain sports lifestyle in Valdez, AK. For further information visit the website http://levitation49.org.
