Capping a landmark year, Trail Mix Inc. announced this week that it surpassed a fundraising goal for the Treadwell Ditch Trail.
The funding will allow Trail Mix to complete the trail by 2023, said Ryan O’Shaughnessy, executive director of Trail Mix, in a news release.
“This phenomenal response from our community demonstrates that people don’t stop caring about trails when they get back to the trailhead. The number of individual donations to this project shows just how much Juneau values its trails,” O’Shaughnessy said. “We saw more use of our trail system last year than ever before, and that use translated directly into more support than ever before.”
Trail Mix crew member Jessie Harlan during a day of improving the surface of the Treadwell Ditch Trail. (Courtesy photo / Ryan O’Shaughnessy)
More than $230,000 was raised by members of the community, O’Shaughnessy said. The Treadwell Ditch project fundraising began in 2019, part of a requirement attached to a $660,000 Alaska Department of Fish & Game grant to Juneau Community Foundation. More than 300 donors contributed, clearing the goal by $10,000, including an initial $100,000 commitment from City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation.
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“Renovation of the historic trail has long been a community priority,” said Jamie Waste of the JCF. “Unique partnerships like this are often required to accomplish good things in our hometown, and Juneau has generously and enthusiastically supported the project.”
The biggest ongoing focus for the Treadwell Ditch Trail will be a 48-foot bridge over Nielsen Creek, the latest of 14 other bridges and 6 miles of improvement with gravel that Trail Mix has accomplished.
Trail Mix volunteers Tom Bornstein, Eric Olsen, Tom Krehbiel, Dave Haas, Joe Sorenson, Bill Janes and Chris Meade complete an approach ramp on the Treadwell Ditch Trail. (Courtesy photo / Ryan O’Shaughnessy)
With Treadwell’s final stretches planned and funding allocated, O’Shaughnessy is looking toward the future.
“This spring, I look forward to releasing what we’ve heard from trail users, local businesses and the tourism industry about what our trail system should look like,” O’Shaughnessy said. “This will be another opportunity for feedback from the community.”
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at (757) 621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
