1. It has been determined in the past that quiet sports are more compatible with the ecology of the area than are any motorized vechicles.
2. The trails currently used by the Chugiak Dog Mushers have been used by mushers for over 20 years and are part of the Historic Iditarod Trail, proposed National trail (Note: since this original writing it has been designated as a Historic National Trail). These trails have been maintained at considerable time and expense to the Chugiak Dog Mushers.
3. Chugiak Dog Mushers have helped to maintain and preserve the park area and improve the access road in cooperation with the Birchwood Methodist Camp.
4. The area is currently covered by Municipal Ordinance AMC 25.30.020 B (7) restricting the use of non-motorized vechicles.
5. A group of youngsters have recently organized as the Junior Dog Mushers Association and a plan to utilize the trails. Motorized vechicles on the trails would be hazard to these young people traing and during their races.
6. In addition to making the trails dangerous, motorized vechicles could cause excessive damage and render the trails a hazard if not useless.

May 2, 1981 -- summary of the tral committee's progress in obtaining the Beach Lake Trails:

Preplanning - A committee of three, Bob Neidig, Arnold Van Horn and Dick Winingham met to determine the likihood of the municipal park area. They marked out trails to include 2-miles, 4-miles, 6-miles, 8-miles, and 12-miles all within a large loop. Other distances could be worked in. In doing this they followed contours on a large map.

Phase 1: Was the initial meeting in the fall of 1980. It was agreed to contact congressmen and local groups for support.

Phase 2: Personal and phone contacts were made with indivduals and groups including local congressmen, community councils, equestrian groups, local assemblymen, Birchwood Camp and other interested parties. Bob Neidig prepared 3 sets of plans of work for the presentation to the municipality. Endorsements were received from Chugiak/Eagle River Chamber of Commerce and Barrier Free. Barrier Free has the title to 80 acres of land at Beach Lake for their use.

Phase 3: The proposal passed through various departments of the Municipal Parks and Recreation. Wilda Hudson and Bob Robertson reviewed the request. The Chugiak/Eagle River Parks & Recreation Board met with Chuck Michels at the public meeting on April 13,1981. Many of the club members attended that meeting. The request to establish trails in the Beach Lake Park was endorsed by the local Parks & Recreation Board.

Phase 4: Chuck Michels, local Municipal recreationboard employes, presented the endorsed package to Bob Robertson's office. Work was started there on the actual mapping of the trails.

Organizing the Junior Mushers Club
by Dixie Waddel Reprinted from the January 1992 CDMA Newsletter Issue # 13
An avid fan of Shirley Gavin, Joyce Gatos ran five or more dogs in races with the Chugiak Dog Mushers in 1973.

Joyce's son, Lyle Gatos, also enjoyed running dogs and racing; which leads to the next step for Joyce -- organizing a Junior club to be affiliated with the Chugiak Dog Mushers. The group organized with half a dozen members, chose the name "Chugiak Junior Mushers Association" and voted to use the rules established by the Junior ASDRA located in Anchorage.

Most of these junior races were held in conjunction with the senior race schedule. They were held on a 2.5 mile trail for all except the one dog teams. Races were staged out of the Eagle River Inn which was located at the top of Eagle River Hill -- now it would be in 4 lanes of the New GlennHwy. Trails continued along the 2 lane highway (now northbound stretch of the 4 lanes) and onto Ft. Richardson. Teams started in 2 minute intervals with no break between classes. Five dog teams went first so there would be less chance of passes. The race results available from those early races, some mushers start at the same time. Explained only by the word "chose".

Names from the early time sheets will bring back memories to some folks. The Barney boys, Clifford & Ernest are sons of Stanley and Tina Barney, Kristine Long who is a Birchwood resident, Kristine's dad Trent Long, was club president for a time, Mike Moseley, son of Tom & Shelle Moseley, was a one dog driver along with Julie and Danny Latvala. Warren Latvala was instrumental in laying the ground work with the municipality for getting the new trails established in Beach Lake Park on old training trails when the 4 lane forced the change. Last, but not least, and running German Shepards, (not just any German Shepards, but "guard dogs") is our own Susan Wagnon. Susan is better known as Dr. Wagnon DVM, of Ravenwood veterinary Clinic in Eagle River, or as Dr, Sue's Racing Team.