For dozens of years the Fairbanks Paddlers have gotten together and helped clean up our local waterway, the Chena River. Our “adopted” section traditionally is the popular stretch from Graehl Landing to Pioneer Park.
Once again in 2026, we are one of the sponsors of the larger effort that includes: the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks, North Pole, University of Alaska, Lions International, Tanana Valley Watershed Association, Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Dream Adventures, Stantec, and Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
As a club we are primary users and stewards of the Chena River, and this is an excellent opportunity to show and act on our love for water. We definitely have the skills, and a Saturday morning is not much to dedicate to our home river. Take a look at the attached flyer, and plan on joining the effort on June 13. There are lots of goodies (work gloves, trash bags, bug dope, work gloves) and a Free Lunch! Be safe, look good while doing good, and eat well. Bring a friend, bring the whole family.
For dozens of years the Fairbanks Paddlers have gotten together and helped clean up our local waterway, the Chena River. Our “adopted” section traditionally is the popular stretch from Graehl Landing to Pioneer Park.
This year we are one of the sponsors of the larger effort that includes: the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks, North Pole, University of Alaska, Lions International, Tanana Valley Watershed Association, Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska Dream Adventures, Stantec, and Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
As a club we are primary users and stewards of the Chena River, and this is an excellent opportunity to show and act on our love for water. We definitely have the skills, and a Saturday morning is not much to dedicate to our home river. Take a look at the attached flyer, and plan on joining the effort on June 10. There are lots of goodies (work gloves, trash bags, bug dope, work gloves) and a Free Lunch! Be safe, look good while doing good, and eat well. Bring a friend, bring the whole family.
For dozens of years the Fairbanks Paddlers have gotten together and helped clean up our local waterway, the Chena River. Our “adopted” section traditionally is the popular stretch from Graehl Landing to Pioneer Park.
This year we are one of the sponsors of the larger effort that includes: the Fairbanks North Star Borough, City of Fairbanks, North Pole, University of Alaska, Lions International, Tanana Valley Watershed Association, Alaska Industrial Hardware, Alaska Dream Adventures, and Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
As a club we are primary users and stewards of the Chena River, and this is an excellent opportunity to show and act on our love for water. We definitely have the skills, and a Saturday morning is not much to dedicate to our home river. Take a look at the attached flyer, and plan on joining the effort on June 10. There are lots of goodies (work gloves, trash bags, bug dope, work gloves) and a Free Lunch! Be safe, look good while doing good, and eat well. Bring a friend, bring the whole family.
This year Fairbanks Paddlers club is a sponsor of the Fairbanks Stream Cleanup Day. It is June 11th, and we hope you’ll join in. Take a look at the flyer below for details.
It would be good to let us know if you are planning on joining.
RSVP both: Cynthia.nelson@alaska.gov and info@fairbankspaddlers.org
The Fairbanks Paddlers “normal section” is on the Chena between Graehl Landing and Pioneer Park. That’s what we’ll concentrate on, but we want to help wherever we’re needed. Bring your boat if you can, we’ll work out the shuttle at Lion’s Park, as you see the city and borough will provide all the cleanup supplies.
Here’s our chance to shine!
Download the Flyer as a PDF:
2022-Stream-Cleanup-Day-Flyer.pdf
Our annual cleanup of the Chena River through town is scheduled for Wednesday, July 21 this year. Graehl Landing has a parking problem because of construction on the nearby Wendell Street bridge. It also has an access problem because of construction on the Old Steese Highway and 3rd Street. So this year our starting point will be the boat landing area of Pioneer Park, off Peger Road just south of the bridge. From there we will proceed down to Pike’s Landing (the restaurant/bar–not the road).
We will meet at Pioneer Park at 5:30 p.m., set shuttle to Pike’s Landing, and plan on launching from Pioneer Park promptly at 6:00. Once on the water people travel more or less at their own pace, stopping to pick up trash on the riverbanks. Parts of the river are lined with homes, and we will probably not want to trespass on those places. Usually, we will finish up and have everybody out of the water by 9:00 or 10:00.
Cleaning up the Chena River is one of the contributions our club makes to the community of Fairbanks, and is also a commitment we have made to the Adopt-a-Stream program of the Tanana Valley Watershed Association. For this activity we are recognized by two nice signs placed by the TVWA near the river at Graehl and Pioneer Park. Our cleanup is also registered with the American Rivers National River Cleanup campaign.
Trash bags will be provided. Participants should bring mud boots, raincoat, gloves, warm clothes, extra clothes, mosquito repellent, drinking water and something to snack on as well as some sort of craft to paddle. Don’t forget your life-jacket!
We will attempt to separate out clean aluminum in separate bags for recycling. We need to take the trash directly to the dump (as opposed to sticking it in dumpsters) so that the Borough can keep track of the volunteer cleanup effort and so that we can report our haul to American Rivers. My truck will be available for stuffing full of trash at the take-out.
Our cleanup effort will not be insured by ACA and current membership in Fairbanks Paddlers is not required. All you need is a boat and a life jacket, and a willingness to pick up trash.
Updated April 15, 2021
General Overview
In accordance with the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, the State of Alaska, and local health organizations the Fairbanks Paddlers Club guidelines for safe paddling and events reflects our commitment to safe paddling, public health, and community well being during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A key aspect of public health is that Covid-19 can be transmitted by subjects that have not developed symptoms, so the Fairbanks Paddlers has adopted a Covid-19 risk management policy based on the guidelines from the American Canoe Association, the American Packraft Association, and the State of Alaska Covid-19 Health Mandates. We encourage all paddlers to follow these or similar policies when paddling.
Fairbanks Paddlers’ Covid-19 Risk Management Plan
The Fairbanks Paddlers’ Covid-19 Risk Management plan depends on the participants’ desire and willingness to keep themselves and their fellow paddlers healthy. To meet that end the Fairbanks Paddlers offers these guidelines. Please respect others and comply with the desires of the trip or event organizer. Be smart and keep each other healthy and safe.
Participation
No one exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms is allowed to participate. This includes a fever within 72 hours, or contact with someone who has Covid-19.
Vaccination
- Two weeks after people are vaccinated they are considered safe from Covid; however, the CDC and the State of Alaska guidelines still indicate that vaccinated individuals when in public settings wear a mask, maintain a 6 foot distance, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often and use hand sanitizer.
- Fully vaccinated individuals may choose to shuttle together, but should do so with automobile windows opened for good ventilation and all riders should be masked.
Protocols
- Social distancing of 6 feet should be maintained both on land and on water (pay particular attention at put-ins and take-outs; loading and unloading craft; no rafting up on the water).
- Face masks are strongly encouraged at put-ins and take outs, and if ever non- household groups are in close proximity (less than six feet). Please bring an extra face mask to use if yours gets wet.
- Paddlers should avoid popular places and times in order to more effectively social distance. If you know there are likely to be other users, pick a different time or place to paddle.
Hygiene
Hygiene is the responsibility of each participant in Fairbanks Paddlers activities.
- Bring hand sanitizer.
- Sanitizing wipes or disinfectant sprays should be used when sharing equipment.
- If public restrooms are open only one person at a time should use them. If public
restrooms are not available each individual is responsible for a “bathroom bag” (I.e. trowel, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, zip lock bags at a minimum).
Group Size
Group size is up to the activity coordinator. The CDC recommends “small” gatherings, but does not define small with a number. The key is taking proper precautions: masking, social distancing, travel/shuttle considerations, and good hygiene.
Travel
Fairbanks Paddlers believes that the greatest risk for Covid transmission is traveling to activities and shuttling between access points. These guidelines are to reduce that risk.
- Travel and shuttle must be worked out prior to the activity. It is not fair to others for
someone to show up without making prior arrangements.
- The activity leader should hold a virtual meeting with all participants to work out de-
tails and protocols prior to the activity. We are all now used to such meetings and
they will help ensure safe Covid practices for all.
- Household members (pod members) can travel in a vehicle together. Fully vaccinated individuals may choose to travel or shuttle together, but should do so with automobile windows opened for good ventilation and all riders should be masked. No participant should be in an uncomfortable or unsafe travel situation.
- Use bicycle shuttles where appropriate.
- When traveling, minimize stops, avoid crowded places, wear a face mask when
dealing with vendors, wash or sanitize hands before exiting and after returning to the vehicle.
Camping
- Tent sites must be 25 feet apart from non-household members.
- Common areas (i.e. campfires, cooking areas) should be used with appropriate social distancing or at different times.
- No sharing of food or drink.
