Project Title: Rehabilitate Waysides and Spurs at Rainbow Lake (FFS #R7BE)

State: Alaska

Project Description: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funded the rehabilitation of the walkway, road, and boat ramp at the Rainbow Lake wayside in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

The Kenai Refuge is the most visited refuge in Alaska, receiving approximately 500,000 visitors each year. Recreation and tourism play an important role in the local economy. The wayside at Rainbow Lake provides public access to hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other activities. The former walkway was too steep for a person confined to a wheelchair to make the ascent to the restroom. In addition, ice buildup on the steep trail during the winter posed a safety hazard for those walking to the restroom.

Using ARRA funds, the trail was rerouted along the hillside with a switchback that makes the restroom accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The existing trail was restored to vegetation using native species. In addition, new gravel was used to fill potholes and resurface the wayside road and boat ramp. The project was completed on August 31, 2010.

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Originally posted 10/14/2009
Page Completed 02/07/2011