Alaska State Parks under the Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids from businesses to operate and maintain campgrounds on both the southern and central Kenai Peninsula.

State Parks is inviting businesses to submit proposals for the maintenance of the Anchor River/Stariski state recreation area, as well as the Captain Cook state recreation area north of Kenai, according to a Dec. 15 press release.

“Successful applicants will be authorized to operate one or both state recreation areas for a four-year period,” the release states.

Applications to operate and maintain these state recreation areas are due by 2 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2021.

According to the management proposal for the Anchor River/Stariski state recreation area, applicants must have previous experience operating campgrounds or similar outdoor recreation facilities, and must demonstrate an understanding of Alaska State Park campgrounds.

The Anchor River/Stariski state recreation are itself includes five separate camping and day use areas, as well as three trail systems.

Additionally, State Parks has extended the deadline for entities to apply to provide saltwater boat launch services at the Anchor River and Deep Creek state recreation areas on the southern peninsula.

“This service has historically been referred to as the ‘tractor launch’ where large, heavy-duty tractors launch boats into Cook Inlet,” the release states. “Successful applicants may be authorized to provide boat launch services in one or both state recreation areas for a five-year period.”

Bids for boat launch services are due by 4 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2021.

“These services provided in Kenai Peninsula state parks are important for Alaska residents and visitors,” Jack Blackwell, superintendent of state parks on the Kenai Peninsula, is quoted as saying in the press release. “They provide critical access to our natural resources that Alaska residents rely on and help support the local economy. It’s a good example of state government partnering with local businesses to serve Alaska residents and visitors.”

For more information on the Captain Cook SRA management proposal, go to: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/newsrelease/2020/captcookrfp.pdf

For more information on the Anchor River/Stariski SRA management proposal, go to: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/newsrelease/2020/anchorriverrfp.pdf

For more information on the Deep Creek launch services proposal, go to: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/newsrelease/2020/rfb_110220deepcreekbl.pdf

For more information on the Anchor River launch services proposal, go to: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/newsrelease/2020/rfb_110220anchorriverbl.pdf

Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.