Elderberry Park

A Pocket of Beauty in Downtown Anchorage

Tucked at the end of 5th Avenue in downtown Anchorage, Elderberry Park might be small at just 1.46 acres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for with absolutely stunning views. From here you can look out over Cook Inlet, take in the surrounding mountains, and on clear days, see the Kenai Peninsula ranges across the water.

Many locals and tourists use this compact green space as their gateway to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, making it a wonderful jumping-off point for shoreline adventures.

Entrance sign and lush greenery welcome visitors to Elderberry Park

Photo: Bernt Rostad (CC BY 2.0)

A Window to the Past

Elderberry has been part of Anchorage's story since the beginning - originally included in the 1917 Anchorage Townsite plan and officially becoming public space in 1922. The park got an interesting historical boost in 1976 when the Oscar Anderson House from 1915 was moved here to preserve a piece of the city's heritage.

The house now operates as a museum where you can step back in time with guided tours of early Anchorage life. Just a heads-up: the museum runs on limited hours, so you might want to check when it's open before heading over.

The yellow Oscar Anderson House Museum stands on the park's northern tip

Photo: Anchorage Downtown Partnership (CC BY 2.0)

Play and Explore

Despite its compact footprint, this is one of Anchorage's most-loved and busiest parks. Kids will appreciate the recently updated playground equipment - there are age-appropriate areas for the 2-5 crowd and the 5-12 set, with all the slides, swings, and climbing structures you'd expect.

One standout feature is the large rope swing that encourages interactive play (though you'll want to keep an eye on smaller children here). The modern playground design manages to be both fun for kids and aesthetically pleasing for adults - no small feat.

Water view with distant mountains visible on the horizon

Photo: Bernt Rostad (CC BY 2.0)

Take a Moment

Scattered throughout the park are several picnic tables and wooden benches that offer perfect spots to catch your breath and soak in the surroundings. These spots are particularly nice around sunset when the views over Cook Inlet are especially beautiful.

The open grassy areas provide space to spread out a blanket, enjoy a sandwich, and watch ships navigate the inlet or Alaska Railroad trains rumble past.

Winter snow covers the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

Photo: neverbutterfly (CC BY 2.0)

Good to Know

There's some parking available, but it's limited and you might need to pay. If you're already downtown, it's an easy walk to reach the park. The gates are open daily from 6AM to 11PM.

As for facilities, you'll find portable restrooms at the park's edge. And yes, you can bring your four-legged friends - the park is dog-friendly, with many visitors bringing their pups along for park time or coastal trail access.

Paved pathway offers scenic views across the Anchorage landscape

Photo: Bernt Rostad (CC BY 2.0)

Weather Watch

Being right next to the water means it's often breezier and cooler here than in other parts of Anchorage - a welcome relief during warmer summer days. Summer is an especially good time to visit, when you can enjoy golden sunsets over Cook Inlet.

Just remember this is Alaska - the park is fully exposed to the elements, so dressing in layers is always a smart move regardless of the season.

Looking Forward

There's been a push in recent years to improve Elderberry Park while honoring its history. A master plan developed in 2015-2016 aims to enhance the visitor experience while preserving what makes this place special.

The improvements focus on practical matters like making it easier for park-goers and trail users to share the space, creating safer access to the Coastal Trail, and adding amenities that work for everyone who visits this small park.