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We asked David Cheezem to report on the progress of the new Edgerton Parks Road bike and pedestrian path.
On a cold Sunday morning not too long ago, David put on his warmest bike gloves and rode his bike from his home near the Colony schools, up Trunk Rd. to Palmer Fishhook, then on to Edgerton Parks Road. David says that his only complaint is that his hands were cold.
It was a joy to ride the bike path along Trunk Rd.
However, due to construction, the intersection of Trunk and Palmer Fishhook is now blocked for pedestrians and bikers.
And there’s a sign that warns against cutting through the gas station parking lot. David found a loophole: He stopped at the gas station for a slice of pizza.
Once he turned onto Palmer Fishhook, there’s no more bike path. The shoulders are mostly 2 feet wide, with a few spots that are closer to one foot.
And there was one very bad pothole that took over the whole shoulder.
Finally, David turned onto Edgerton Parks Road. He was excited to reach the safety of the road. He was disappointed to see that the bike path wasn’t open yet.
There it was, like the yellow brick road–so inviting, so enticing!
But there was a truck parked in the middle of the path. And the path was closed off with orange cones all the way to the top of the hill.
David said it was painful to ride on the road right next to that sweet strip of fresh pavement just begging to be ridden on. But for most of the way up the road, David resisted temptation.
He continued all the way up Mountain Trails Drive to the GPRA Parking Lot, looking longingly at the newly paved trail that was closed.
It was a long, mostly uphill ride from home. Disappointed that he couldn’t ride on the new path, at least he enjoyed an easy ride home.
David was rewarded by a view of a ragged string of clouds that mirrored the ragged mountains in the distance. And, by the time he got home, his hands weren’t cold any more.
David notes that some bikers won’t feel safe riding along Palmer Fishhook Road. He recommends wearing bright clothes and having a good, large mirror. Lights are also a good idea.
Next year the plan is to add pedestrian facilities across the Little Susitna River.
The long-term plan, if realized, is a pedestrian path from Trunk Rd up the Palmer Fishhook to Edgerton Parks.
In the meantime, riders who don’t mind braving the Palmer Fishhook potholes will be rewarded with a safe ride on the Edgerton Parks bike path.
The open house to talk about the proposed fuel excise tax is tonight at 6 p.m. at Mat-Su Central School, 2055 N. Stringfield Rd.
This Page Two article was written by David Cheezem and Lee Henrikson.
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday October 22, 2025.