On Good Friday in March, 1964, Anchorage and much of the rest of south central Alaska was hit with a violent earthquake, measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. In four minutes of shaking, the landscape was forever changed, as large portions of land sunk in elevation, and entire neighborhoods were destroyed in landslides. South of Anchorage, the coastal ports of Seward and Whittier were devastated by tsunamis that were caused by the earthquake. And in Anchorage, thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed as the ground beneath them collapsed.

Earthquake Park was created years later in an area that was a subdivision before the quake. The park is designed to demonstrate the power of the earthquake and highlights the massive landslides that occurred along the Knik Arm shoreline. A series of interpretive signs, sculptures, and kiosks tell the story of the earthquake and feature before and after photos and maps. These displays map out the current bluffline, where the high ground above Knik Arm drops down to the water, which was created during the earthquake, versus the original bluffline, which was in some cases where the water now is. The park itself is very forested now, making it somewhat hard to see much of the landslide area. However, there are several "unofficial" paths leading down from the park's developed areas into the landslide areas. A trek down these steep paths may require a little scrambling, but is worth it to be able to see the unusual landscape the earthquake created. However, be very careful when going into the lower areas of the park. The ground is still unstable and it is very easy to fall and possibly slide down the steep slopes. Also, do not go out onto the mudflats along the waterfront under any circumstances. The thick mud is like quicksand, and people have died when they got stuck in the mud and were not able to be rescued before the tide came in, drowning them.

Earthquake Park is a very interesting place to visit in Anchorage if you want to know more about the 1964 earthquake and see the effects of it firsthand. Also, the park is located on the popular Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, providing hike and bike access to downtown Anchorage and areas to the southwest adjacent to the Anchorage airport. This trail is very scenic and a great place to get out and enjoy a pleasant summer afternoon in Anchorage.