The Tsalteshi Trails Association is hoping to add 4 miles to the trail system and has applied for a two-year Recreational Trails Program grant to make the additions a reality.

The $50,000 grant would fund construction of four new miles of ski, skijor, snowshoe and single-track trails south of Isaak Road.

At their Sept. 27 meeting, the Soldotna City Council expressed their support for the grant. The trail system is on land leased from Kenai Peninsula Borough, but adjacent to the City of Soldotna.

“The Tsalteshi Trails system provides valuable outdoor recreational opportunities, on a year-round basis, for Kenai Peninsula residents as well as in-state and out of state visitors,” said Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen. “City of Soldotna residents, due to the trail system’s close proximity, enjoy easy access to all the benefits the trail system has to offer.”

According a recent post on their Facebook page, the Tsalteshi Trails Association has also applied for a Recreational Trails Program grant to extend lighting to the uphill section of the Rabbit Loop and the eastern edge of the Skyview Middle School soccer field.

“This lighting is needed to better facilitate the Tsalteshi Ski Program, KPBSD school ski team training and events as well as the growing number of nighttime community trail users,” according to the grant application.