City of Unalaska Department of Parks Culture and Recreation

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.

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 third annual Bunker Hill Endurance Challenge took place earlier this month after a weather-related delay. Thirteen participants raced up and down the hill as many times as they could within six hours. But this year, no one won.

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.

This year’s theme was “National Treasure,” and participants incorporated it into their floats. In all, 17 cars, one boat and even a Coast Guard helicopter participated in the festivities.

More than 30 Unalaskans celebrated the longest day of the year by participating in the Department of Parks, Culture, and Recreation’s annual Summer Solstice Run. This is the first race of the season, and the department’s recreation manager, Albert Burnham, said it was a success. “The Summer Solstice Run went really well,” Burnham said. “We had a great turnout. About thirty people participated, which is great for that race.”

Unalaska’s Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation is recognizing and celebrating locals who have made an impact on the community. PCR arts and culture coordinator Kate Schwarz organized the campaign, which was inspired by Humans of New York, a popular collection of portraits and short interviews that has developed a huge following on social media. Schwarz is calling her project “Humans of Unalaska.”

Unalaska is making progress on a long-awaited library renovation and expansion — plans are confirmed to close the library’s current building and move to a temporary location in the Burma Road Chapel. Librarian Karen Kresh confirmed plans and dates with the contractor Tuesday. She said the library will close its current location on March 14 to begin moving. Kresh said the Burma Road Chapel will function “like a little mini library.”