We are pleased to announce the formation of Homer Area Trails, an Alaska non-profit with a mission to construct and maintain non-motorized trails in and around Homer, to promote public safety and healthy outdoor activities.  Homer Area Trails (HAT) will serve as an umbrella group to help citizen trails groups with research, surveying, pre-engineering, government relations, and organizing to construct and maintain trails.  

HAT will encourage the city of Homer to formalize a process for citizens trails groups to access the HART trail fund, a dedicated fund that must be spent on trails, funded by city sales tax. Currently the fund contains more than $300,000 and will contain more than $400,000 by the end of 2013.  HAT’s first projects include the Kachemak Drive Path and the right of way above Save-U-More that leads up to Pioneer Avenue.  

On June 3, HAT inaugurated the Kachemak Drive Path Association, an association of private citizens motivated by urgent concern for public safety on Kachemak Drive.  Like HoPP, this popular project is receiving strong citizen support and volunteers are signing up for committees. Envision moms with strollers, kids on bikes, runners and skiers in winter, enjoying a trail that connects the East End Road trail with the Spit Trail. Call 235-2952 if you want to volunteer. Join HAT and get a HAT hat.

Lindianne Sarno and Kevin Walker