North recreation area is short drive to big fun
The North Peninsula Recre-ation Area at Mile 23.4 of the Kenai Spur Highway in Nikis-ki is a fun and convenient place to get some exercise while passing through the northern Kenai Peninsula in any season.
The Nikiski pool is a recreational heated pool with a slide, hot tub, rain umbrella and depths ranging from 1 to 13 feet. It is open year-round.
Summer hours, from June 1 to Sept. 1, are from 7 a.m. to noon for lap swim and swim lessons, noon to 5 p.m. for open swim and lap swim, and 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. for water slide, Tuesday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday activity hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. for open swim, lap swim and water slide. The cost is $3 for those under 60, $6 for the water slide and $2 for senior citizens general swim.
Swim lessons, ranging from beginner to water safety instructors, are offered on a regular basis. For more information, call 776-8472.
Aside from the pool, the recreational area offers a picnic area open during daylight hours, plus overnight camping for self-contained vehicles.
A multipurpose field can be used for sports requiring large, open spaces, and there are outdoor volleyball nets and other equipment that can be checked out at the office.
The area also features nature and fitness trails that offer scenery, solitude and fitness stations.
In the winter, the trails can be used for cross-country skiing during daylight hours.
No matter what the season, pets, bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails.
During the winter, the Jason Peterson Memorial Ice Rink is available for ice skating. The rink is natural ice and weather protected.