Arctic Benson Park.

• Author: Gallion, Mari
• Position: INSIDE ALASKA BUSINESS

Arctic Benson Park now features a new fenced dog park as part of a neighborhood effort to transform the park into a safe and healthy place.

In 2011, more than fifty neighbors and volunteers filled out report cards critiquing Arctic Benson Park, cumulatively giving it an F. Thanks to a dedicated committee formed to identify needed park improvements, the Anchorage Park Foundation successfully secured $83,000 from the Alaska State Legislature to improve Arctic Benson Park in the summer of 2013.

Organizer Karen Dechman has been devoted to this project for two years. "This is a very big deal for dog owners, especially our disabled veterans and elderly who struggle with finding a place to exercise their beloved dogs." But Dechman believes that the improvement will also affect those...