Ruth Arcand Park

Ruth Arcand Park is a large 602.31-acre park located in south Anchorage, Alaska, within the Abbott Loop Community Council area. Classified as a Special Use Area in the 2006 Anchorage Bowl Park, Natural Resource, and Recreation Facility Plan, the park offers a diverse range of natural and developed spaces.

More than half of Ruth Arcand Park remains in its natural forested state, featuring a variety of formal and informal trails. This provides visitors with opportunities to experience Alaska's wilderness within an urban setting. The park's trail system includes a main loop trail of approximately 3 miles, which is frequently used by equestrians and hikers alike. However, due to its wetland foundation, trails can be wet and sometimes flooded, especially during spring.

The park's developed areas include several recreational facilities. The William C. Chamberlain Equestrian Center is a notable feature, reflecting the park's importance to the local equestrian community. The Anchorage Golf Course is also located within the park boundaries, offering golfing opportunities for visitors.

Ruth Arcand Park has an interesting history dating back to the founding of the United States. It was originally set aside as part of a congressional mandate that one section of land in each townsite be reserved for public benefit. The park was named in 1983 after Ruth Arcand, a community activist and local parks advocate who played a crucial role in preventing the land from being sold to developers.

The park also houses educational facilities, with Springhill Elementary School and Hanshew Junior High School located on its west side adjacent to Lake Otis Parkway. This integration of educational and recreational spaces makes Ruth Arcand Park a multifaceted community resource.

Despite its size and numerous amenities, Ruth Arcand Park is sometimes overlooked by Anchorage residents. Its main entrance on Abbott Road between Lake Otis Parkway and Elmore Road can be difficult to spot, leading some visitors to drive past it multiple times before locating the entrance.