Tikishla Park

Tikishla Park is a 105-acre urban park located along the Chester Creek Greenbelt in the Airport Heights neighborhood of Anchorage, Alaska. Classified as a Natural Resource Use Area in the 2006 Anchorage Bowl Park, Natural Resource and Recreation Facility Plan, the park encompasses a diverse landscape of forests, streams, meadows, and wetlands.

The park features both developed and natural areas. Over 80 acres are dedicated to preserving natural habitats, including the Middle and South Forks of Chester Creek, Class A wetlands, riparian habitats, and upland forests. These natural areas provide important environmental functions such as flood attenuation and wildlife habitat.

Approximately 20 acres of Tikishla Park are developed for recreational use. The park includes several well-defined use areas that function as a neighborhood park, little league complex, and major multi-use trail corridor. The Chester Creek Trail, a popular multi-use path, runs through the park, connecting it to the larger Anchorage trail system.

Tikishla Park has an interesting history of community involvement. In 1973, surrounding neighborhood residents voluntarily assessed their properties to help purchase 6 acres of parkland, marking the first citizen-initiated park district petition in Anchorage's history. Development of the park began in 1983, with a playground dedication following in 1985.

In recent years, efforts have been made to update and improve Tikishla Park. A master plan, approved in 2018, provides a 20-year vision for the park's management, maintenance, and development. The plan aims to balance new facility development with the preservation of existing natural areas.