PCR

Regional lands are known for their tundra valleys filled with grasses, plants and bushes, not a 10-foot tree in sight. But that changed in Unalaska during the 1800s when Russian colonizers planted many Sitka spruce trees on Amaknak Island, becoming North America’s first afforestation project.

The City of Unalaska has a new plan to develop public parks, recreation and cultural infrastructure and programs through at least 2035. The city council unanimously approved the 121-page master plan on March 11.

This year, 21 athletes participated in Unalaska’s annual Polar Bear Run. The 5K race down Summer Bay Road, which took place March 15, has long been hosted by the city’s Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation.

It’s the first time Unalaska has had a softball league since before the COVID-19 pandemic. So far this season, players pitched, swung, stole and slid their way through a total of 10 games.

In this episode of "Island Interviews," instructor Alyssa McDonald shares her reasons for getting into yoga and how she hopes the practice will assist others in Unalaska.

On this episode of "Island Interviews," program leaders Lisa Nilsen and Mary Heimes explain why getting properly fitted is crucial while learning to skate.

The community convened over food and entertainment in the last hurrah of the season.

It was the perfect evening for Unalaska’s annual Ballyhoo Mountain Run, with the sun peeking through the clouds and an ocean breeze lifting the scent of wildflowers across the tundra. I stood at the base of a steep incline with around thirty other runners. We cracked jokes about passing out along the trail, which is roughly a mile up and a mile down. From the starting line we could see volunteers stationed along the trail, ready to hustle us down to safety if anything went wrong.

The free event — featuring food, music, and artwork — will run Saturday, April 1, from noon to 5 p.m. PCR Recreation Manager Albert Burnham said there’ll be 24 vendors set up at the community center: “Various food, information, folks selling stuff. A lot of folks who are trying to draw attention to the things they’re doing in town. Folks who are trying to raise money or just selling their wares.”

Unalaska’s haunted house opens on Friday in the Burma Road Chapel, and the Department of Parks, Culture & Recreation’s Teen Council is getting ready.Teen Council members Shanelle Palma and Nikki Amora are haunted house co-chairs. They didn’t want to give anything away, but said it would be full of “twists and turns,” with different areas, inspired by horror films.