Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk – Mars

Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk — Mars (Anchorage, Alaska)

The Anchorage Light Speed Planet Walk is a scale model of our solar system that lines up perfectly with a classic downtown-to-coast outing. Each step you take represents the distance light travels in one second, so walking the route “at a leisurely pace” lets you experience distances the way photons do. The Mars station sits along West 5th Avenue by Elderberry Park, where Fifth Avenue meets the access point to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

### What this attraction is (and why it’s clever)
– A walkable solar system at “light speed.” The project’s scale is chosen so that the ~8-minute walk from the Sun station at 5th & G to the Earth station at 5th & K mirrors the 8 minutes real sunlight needs to reach Earth. Continuing on, “you and a light beam” would reach Pluto at Kincaid Park in about 5½ hours. It’s astronomy you feel with your feet.
– Created by a local student, maintained by community partners. The walk was designed by Eli Menaker (Service High School, class of 2004). Local organizations helped bring it to life and keep it going.

### Where to find “Mars”
– The official route lists Mars – “5th and (Elderberry Park)”, making Elderberry Park your handiest landmark. From downtown, follow the inner planets west along Fifth Avenue until the trail drops onto the Coastal Trail.
– Elderberry Park itself is a small downtown green space with direct Coastal Trail access and views over Cook Inlet—useful if you’re pairing the Planet Walk with a longer ride or stroll. of Anchorage

### How to do it (quick plans)
– Short city stroll (Inner Planets, ~10–15 minutes): Start at the Sun (5th & G), pass Mercury (5th & H), Venus (5th & I), Earth (5th & K), and reach Mars by Elderberry Park. You’ll absorb the inner-solar-system spacing without leaving downtown streets.
– Half-day bike ride (to Westchester Lagoon or Lyn Ary Park): Drop onto the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail at Elderberry Park; continue to Jupiter (Westchester Lagoon) or Saturn (Lyn Ary Park) for a scenic, low-stress ride along the coast.

### Accessibility & inclusivity notes
– Paved and wheelchair-friendly context. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is an 11-mile paved, multi-use path with wheelchair-accessible segments and gentle grades near downtown. That surface and design make it one of Anchorage’s most inclusive outdoor corridors for walkers, roll-users, and cyclists.
– Access point: Elderberry Park is an official access point to the Coastal Trail, which is useful for anyone seeking curb-cut access and predictable pavement. of Anchorage
– Seasonality: In winter the Coastal Trail is used for cross-country skiing and skijoring; expect snow/ice conditions then rather than bare pavement.

### Practical tips that save time
– Start downtown for the story arc. Begin at the Sun by the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts (5th & G) and walk west to Mars; you’ll hit the explanatory plaques in order.
– Pair with bikes or e-bikes. The Coastal Trail is built for biking; local outfitters rent bikes near downtown if you want to extend beyond Mars toward the outer planets. (The Coastal Trail site even lists nearby rental options.)
– Wildlife awareness. The Coastal Trail corridor—especially beyond the airport—regularly hosts moose. Give them space and never approach for photos. (Visitor reports and park advisories commonly note moose encounters along this route.)

### How long does it take?
– Sun → Earth: ~8 minutes on foot (matching light’s travel time).
– Sun → Pluto (full model): ~5½ hours on foot if you follow the entire route to Kincaid Park. Most visitors sample a portion—inner planets downtown, then a scenic stretch of the Coastal Trail.

### What’s near the Mars station
– Elderberry Park: Benches, a small playground, trail access, and views across Cook Inlet to Mt. Susitna—good for a break before/after you hop on the Coastal Trail. of Anchorage
– Westchester Lagoon (toward Jupiter): A popular stop along the trail with birdlife in summer and a skating scene in winter—ideal if you’re pedaling on to the gas giants. (This is the official location of Jupiter on the model.)

### Is it open?
– Flagging conflicting listings: Some third-party sites (e.g., Yelp and MapQuest) show “permanently closed.” That appears inconsistent with the official Planet Walk materials, which still publish the planet locations along 5th Avenue and the Coastal Trail. If timing matters, verify with the official Planet Walk site or Anchorage Parks & Recreation before you go.

### Responsible visiting
– Share the path. The Coastal Trail supports walkers, wheelchairs, strollers, bikes, and (in winter) skiers; keep right, pass on the left, and use a bell/voice when overtaking. The trail’s design accommodates two-way traffic and gets busy on weekends.
– Weather & daylight: Anchorage conditions change quickly. In shoulder seasons, expect wind off the inlet and variable surfaces; carry layers and microspikes if sidewalks are icy (winter).

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### Getting there (for Mars)
– Map area: 1201–1253 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501 places you right along the Fifth Avenue corridor near Elderberry Park, the listed location of the Mars station. From there, it’s seamless to continue onto the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

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### Pair it with these guides (internal links)
– Tony Knowles Coastal Trail: Complete Visitor Guide — route map, viewpoints, bike rentals, and winter tips. (Link internally.)
– Best Things to Do in Downtown Anchorage — museums, coffee stops, and family-friendly add-ons near 5th Avenue. (Link internally.)

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#### Sources & further reference
– Official site: Anchorage Lightspeed Planet Walk — concept, origin, and route overview.
– Official “Where to start” and planet locations (including Mars – 5th & Elderberry Park).
– Trail context & accessibility: Visit Anchorage and Rails-to-Trails on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (paved, multi-use, wheelchair-friendly segments).
– Elderberry Park access to the Coastal Trail. of Anchorage
– Conflict check on “open/closed” status (third-party listings vs. official info).

> Accuracy note: Distances/timings (Sun→Earth ~8 minutes; Sun→Pluto ~5½ hours), planet station placements, and the Mars location reference are taken from the official Planet Walk pages; third-party “closed” tags can lag or be erroneous, so confirm using the official site before planning a long outing.