Eagle River

Thunderbird Falls
These spectacular falls are the terminus of a comfortable one mile family walk on a well maintained trail. It is a must see for all who visit this community! This popular site is located to the north of Chugiak with access off the Glenn Highway.

The Chugach State Park Eagle River Nature Center
The Nature Center is located at mile 12 of Eagle River Road. This facility offers a "hands on" interpretive nature center as well as self-guided trails into the Park. Volunteers are available at the Nature Center to help answer questions and direct hikers. Summer and winter staffing hours vary. Call (907) 694-2108.

South Fork Falls is located out Hiland Road adjacent to Spirit Park and is another natural treasure for visitors and residents alike.

OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL activities abound in the Chugiak-Eagle River area. Along with the myriad of parks which offer excellent hiking climbing, canoeing, rafting, fishing, camping, picnicking, back-country biking trails are available which double as cross country ski trails in the winter months. Sled dog and ski joring trails have been developed and certain park land has been designated for use by all-terrain vehicles and snow machines. Just 15 minutes away from downtown Eagle River is Alpenglow at Arctic Valley, a challenging downhill skiing facility.

INDOOR RECREATIONAL facilities in Chugiak-Eagle River compliment the outdoor experience. Eagle River has a six screen movie theater complex, a modern bowling facility, and an olympic sized swimming pool located at Chugiak High School and opened year round to the public for swimming and lessons. Eagle River also benefits from having one of only a handful of olympic sized ice skating rinks in the United States located at the Harry McDonald Recreation Center. For those who enjoy a quiet afternoon of reading, the Eagle River Public Library has the second largest circulation in the Municipality of Anchorage library network with 72,000 books and media items on its shelves.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES...

Dog Mushing
Sled dog training trails are available in the Beach Lake and certain parkland has been designated for use by all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.

Ice Skating & Hockey
Chugiak-Eagle River area has many skating opportunities available from rinks at elementary, middle, and high schools, to the modern "Harry J. McDonald Memorial Center". For Skate information times at the McDonald Center call 696-0051.

Rafting/Kayaking
Eagle River provides local residences and visitors a opportunity to float a scenic river down Eagle River valley. Upper valley portion of the river is a class II rating. Guided rafting is available through Lifetime Adventures 907-746-4644.

Tennis
Public outdoor tennis courts are located at Lions Park, Sunloft Park and Schroeder Park in Eagle River. These are on a first come first serve basis and have no fees.

Glacier and Ice Climbing
Glacier and Ice Climbing opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast are available in Chugach State Park. For more information, contact State Park Headquarters at 345-5014.

Biking
Bike trails parallel the Glenn Highway and connect Chugiak-Eagle River to Anchorage. An additional trail parallels Eagle River Road to approximately mile 2.5. Additional trails are in the planning stages.

Rock Climbing
Rock climbing opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast are available in Chugach State Park. For more information, contact State Park Headquarters at 345-5014.

Swimming
Public swimming is discouraged at the local lakes but there are great picnicking opportunities lakeside at Beach Lake and Mirror Lake. These are municipal parks located off the Glenn Highway north of Eagle River. The Mirror Lake facility also has playground equipment and provides an opportunity for canoeing and fishing.

Picnic Spots
Lots of the parks in Chugiak-Eagle River provide nice locations for family picnics. Mirror Lake, Lions Club Park, Chief Alex Park, Spirit Park, Peters Creek Park, Hillcrest, Eagle River Town Square, Schroeder Park, Oberg Park and Targee Park are a few of the possibilities.

Alpine & Nordic Skiing
Just 15 minutes south of  downtown Eagle River is Alpenglow at Arctic Valley, a challenging downhill skiing facility. At Chugiak High School is the Beach Lake Trail System - a great Nordic venue lit and groomed during the snowy months.The new Beach Lake Chalet is now open during winter months and is located just off South Birchwood Loop across from Chugiak High School.  In addition, there are excellent back-country nordic skiing opportunities at the Eagle River Nature Center located at the end of Eagle River Road.

Baseball
Knik Little League provides youth recreational baseball and softball. Baseball fields are located in Lions Park in Eagle River, Loretta French Park in and Oberg Field in Chugiak.

Hiking
Explore the many hiking trails available in the Chugach State Park each providing a scenic beauty unique to Alaska.

Camping
Approximately 10 miles off the Glenn Highway in Chugach State Park on the shores of Eklutna Lake is Eklutna Campground. (Take the Eklutna Exit off the Glenn Highway). This scenic area provides excellent hiking and boating opportunities. The campground has 50 sites, drinking water, latrines, and a 15 day camping limit. Hiking trailheads in the area include: Twin Peaks, Lakeside and Bold Ridge.

Eagle River State Campground is located right on the Glenn Highway at the Hiland Road Exit. This facility has 50 sites and a well developed day use area and is located right on Eagle River. There is a four day camping limit, latrines, flush toilettes, dump station and drinking water.

Fishing
Anglers can stay home on the weekend and still go fishing. Trout and salmon run in Eagle River and are within a couple of miles from downtown. Many local lakes are stocked with trout and Dolly Varden.

 Dog Mushing
Dog mushing is one of the most exciting activities in the Chugiak/Eagle River area. The Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails is a place where people can go to watch sled dog races and sled dogs in training.

Youth Sports
A variety of youth sporting organizations are available in the Chugiak-Eagle River area. These include: Mustang Hockey Association, Chugiak Youth Sports Association (soccer & basketball), KNIK Little League, Chugiak Dog Mushers Association, Pop Warner Football and others. For a complete listing, see community profile section.

POPULATION & EMPLOYMENT
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Chugiak-Eagle River is a community under the municipal government of Anchorage. The community has experienced very rapid growth over the past twenty years with the population almost doubling between 1980 and 1990 from 12,858 to 25,324. The 2000 population is 29,915--an 18 percent growth rate in the past decade. The estimated population mid decade - 2005 - is approximately 35,000.

According to the 2000 census, median age for our residents in 34.2 years which is slightly older than Alaska as a state and slightly younger the United States as a whole. Approximately 66.5% of our population is married. Fifty-three percent work in the private sector. In addition, this is a well educated community with 36.8% of the population with college degrees compared to Alaska at 24.7% and the United States at 24.4%.

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce supports economic development and economic diversity that complements the community oriented nature of this area. Our business community is largely service/retail oriented. However, the surrounding scenic state park land, offers many opportunities for tourism development to complement the growing visitor industry in the state of Alaska.

. COST OF LIVING INDEX
 

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COST OF LIVING INDEX Since the Chugiak-Eagle River community is within the boundaries of the Municipality of Anchorage. ACCRA Cost of Living Index for Anchorage will be used to indicate relative prices. With the national average at 100, below are seven indicators.*

GROCERY-125.2 HOUSING-122.6 UTILITIES - 88.2 TRANSPORTATION-102.0 HEALTH CARE: 135.1 MISCELLANEOUS GOODS & SERVICES: 121.1 ALL ITEMS INDEX: 117.4 *Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index First Quarter 2006

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE & SERVICES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE & SERVICES

As a part of the Municipality of Anchorage, this community has two representatives who sit with nine other members on the Anchorage Municipal Assembly. Our representatives are responsible for advocating community interests and needs as well as dealing with a wide array of area-wide municipal issues.

Neighborhood community councils are very active in Chugiak-Eagle River reviewing issues related to planning and zoning, recreation, roads, public safety and education. Councils include Birchwood, Chugiak, Eagle River, Eagle River Valley, Eklutna and Southfork. Their boundaries are delineated geographically and maps can be obtained by calling the Federation of Community Councils at 277-1977.

The Chugiak-Eagle River community has local jurisdiction over two government services: Parks & Recreation and Roads. Representatives from each of five community councils make up the Eagle River/Chugiak Parks & Recreation Board and the Chugiak, Birchwood, Eagle River, Rural Road Service Area Board of Supervisors. Annually, these boards decide policies, budget and bond issues affecting local service delivery.

Most city service offices are located in Anchorage. Chugiak-Eagle River does have the following local offices available: Parks & Recreation, Road Service, Health, Fire and Police.

The Anchorage Fire Department staffs Station 11 in downtown Eagle River. Outside their jurisdiction, The Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department and the Southfork Volunteer Fire Department (under the direction of the Anchorage Fire Department) deliver fire and emergency services to the more rural areas.

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EDUCATION

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Anchorage School District provides public education for the Chugiak-Eagle River community. The District's main offices are located in Anchorage and can be reached at 742-4000. There are ten public schools in the Chugiak-Eagle River area serving the needs of our youth.

•  Alpenglow Elementary 742-3300

•  Birchwood Elementary 742-3450

•  Chugiak Elementary 742-3400

•  Eagle Academy 742-3025

•  Eagle River Elementary 742-3000

•  Fire Lake Elementary 742-3350

•  Homestead Elementary 742-3550

•  Ravenwood Elementary 742-3250

•  Gruening Middle School 742-3600

•  Mirror Lake Middle School 742-3500

•  Chugiak High School 742-3050

•  Eagle River High School 742-2700

For Home Schooling Information - contact the Iditarod School District - Distance Learning Center at 694-6100.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Private schools are also available in the community. The following are offering programs:

•  Birchwood Community Church 688-2228

•  Eagle River Christian Academy 694-4602

•  St. John's Community School 696-3920

PRESCHOOLS For the younger set, the following preschools are currently listed in the area:

•  Bright Beginnings 694-4910

•  Chugiak Children's Services (Headstart) 688-2660

•  Fire Lake Preschool 694-8911

•  Joan's Preschool Activities 694-7577

•  Joy Child Care & Preschool 694-2755

•  Little Lambs Preschool 694-9873

•  Children's Montessori School 694-3454

•  My Favorite Preschool 696-4900

.DMV Registration :

The Division of Motor Vehicles titles motor vehicles, including trailers and mobile homes; registers motor vehicles, including trailers, snow vehicles, powered and non-powered boats, and All Terrain Vehicles; and licenses drivers statewide. The Division serves most of the Alaska adult population over 16 years of age by providing evidence of motor vehicle ownership and by issuing driver licenses to those qualified. Contact number for DMV is 269-5551.*

*DMV Web Site: http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/dmv/

HEALTH

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Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Hospital in Anchorage, and Alaska Native Medical Center provide hospital services for the Chugiak-Eagle River community with a travel time of approximately 20 to 25 minutes. With the exception of the Municipal Women Infant & Children Services providing supplemental food for women infants and children on a need basis, the private sector provides almost all health care needs in Chugiak-Eagle River. Our directory lists health care professionals in the following fields: physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, counselors, nurse practitioners, and opticians.

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NEWSPAPERS

Weekly Chugiak-Eagle River Alaska Star 907-694-2727
Daily Anchorage Daily News 907-257-4200