Seeking Public Input on Improvements to Sand Bar State Park

The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is holding a public meeting to present conceptual plans, part of a master planning process, for improvements to Sand Bar State Park. The intent of the planning process is to update the park to meet current visitor needs, while protecting the environment, enhancing historic and cultural resources and making needed safety improvements.  

Sandbar State Park is one of Vermont’s oldest and most iconic state parks. It is also one of the busiest and has not seen significant reinvestment since the last expansion, over 30 years ago. Sandbar has provided years of lake access and given generations countless memories. To honor that history and look to the future, FPR is undertaking a park-wide design process for Sand Bar State Park. 

Sandbar is, and always will be a picnic and beach area, but what the conceptual design does introduce includes:

• Moving the park entrance 425’ to the west of the current entrance to improve visibility and safety for park visitors entering and exiting the park.

• Restoring Class I wetland buffers where the previous entrance/exit lane was. Class I wetlands are the highest protected wetlands in the State and are considered exceptional or irreplaceable in their contribution to Vermont’s natural heritage. The current entrance to the park is within 100’ protected wetland buffer.  Restoration of this area will provide greater protection to the sensitive natural environment within the wetland complex itself.

• Upgrading the stone bathhouse building to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. This will include adding accessible parking, a family restroom, and improvements to building entrances and exits. Concepts also include making the structure more functional by introducing more natural light to the interior of the building and making the building a rentable structure for family events or company picnics.
  
  
• Improving accessibility across the entire park, including travel from and between parking areas, the play area, bathrooms, stone building and proposed shelter

The meeting will be held from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM on January 29^th, 2019 in the Community Meeting Room at the Milton Town Office Complex, 43 Bombardier Road, Milton, VT.  There will be a short presentation at 5:30 followed by an open format discussion with conceptual plans on display.

For more information, visit: https://www.vtstateparks.com/sandbar.html