The Woodard Creek Coalition is still trying to shine a light on the hidden parts of local water body. The coalition met over the weekend to discuss their progress and how to reach their end goal to expose the creek so it can be enjoyed by the naked eye. The coalition's goal is most likely a long way off.
The Woodard Creek Coalition meeting served to update the group’s plans to encourage the City of Homer, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, and Homer residents to develop and embrace plans to open the covered portions of Woodard Creek up to the sun. Marv Hanson is a spokesperson for the Woodard Creek Coalition.
“We think there is potential for the whole community to enjoy this asset if people become more aware of it and would assist with trying to daylight the creek and having bridges instead of culverts,” said Hanson.
Woodard Creek is a stream that starts on the bluff above South Peninsula Hospital. The water flows downhill until it feeds into Kachemak Bay. But, in order to get there the stream crosses through peoples’ yards, public streets and land occupied by facilities like Karen Hornaday Park and the Pratt Museum.
“Crossing Pioneer Avenue where you can’t see it and also the Bypass. The general public awareness of it is pretty small because they don’t even know where it is,” said Hanson.
Hanson says the creek would look much better if it wasn’t covered up in certain places. He says the decision makers at the Pratt Museum have the right idea.
“They have a project that they are attempting to pull off that will daylight the creek in that area,” said Hanson.
The Pratt has a design for a day lighted creek. They just need to find the funds to make it happen.
Hanson’s coalition is trying to convince the City of Homer and the Department of Transportation to adopt similar designs in their future plans to update public rights of way.
“Alaska DOT of course they have a tough budget. We understand that. They’re in planning for the Pioneer Avenue update. [That’s] a number of years ahead. We want to bring it to the forefront that [the] design should include opening up the creek,” said Hanson.
Hanson says state and city officials have both shown interest in the coalition’s idea to open the creek in these areas. He adds that daylighting the creek isn’t just about making the area look better. It’s also a public safety concern.
“Some of the areas still have culverts which are choke points that will create problems if we have a big event for erosion. A number of years ago [it] created great flooding problems and washed out roads and that sort of thing,” said Hanson.
Hanson says Karen Hornaday Park is one of the creek’s biggest problem areas with regards to erosion. He expects the coalition’s work will not be done for some time.
