Friends of the Koponen Homestead is a 501c(3) non-profit established to support and educate about the natural and trails features of the undeveloped portion of Koponen Homestead in Fairbanks, Alaska.
The Koponen family has long welcomed the non-motorized recreational use of their undeveloped property, which is replete with horse, walking, and farm trails. With the development of the residential portion of Koponen Homestead, the family wanted to enhance and include logical connectivities to the trail system. Various access points were created. In 2016, an additional 1.5 mile expansion of the east-west connectivity was built for use by local residents which includes Onward Trail, Lingonberry Loop, and Niilo’s Way. The new trails, built with the assistance of a State Parks grant, were granted public status for 5 years, at which point they revert back to Koponen Homestead, LLC.
There is a kiosk in the Bee field that shows the trail map of the area.
If you use or are interested in using the trail system, have questions about the trail system, want to help with trail grooming or general maintenance of the trail system, contact either Doug Clawson at 907-978-4399, Secretary-Treasurer Candice Krupa at 907-978-2378 or email fotkh (at) koponenhomestead.com
The family is working through the estate of our mother Joan Koponen, who passed in 2025, but there is considered consensus to conserve the trail system for the future. More is to follow in future months as we work to engage the community and other land grant organizations to make it happen.
A quote from a user, of which there are many: “Thank you. Your trails bring so much joy to our lives” This is uplifting and rewarding as we have tried to built community on the homestead property.
If you would like to donate toward maintenance and support of the trail system, you can make a ccontribution at the following Paypal link or by check to:
Friends of the Koponen Homestead
PO Box 83969
Fairbanks,AK 99708
A contribution is eligible as a tax-deductible charity recognized by IRS. IN 2026, you will not have to itemize to take the contribution up to $1,000 single, $2,000 couple. Thank you in advance for your contribution.