Vermont State Parks

A couple of weeks ago on our facebook page we posted this photo of the rustic wood railing being restored at the Mt. Philo State Park shelter. Here's a cool update to the story:  The Seasonal Parks Maintenance Technician performing the work is John Robert Davine. John Robert’s maternal grandfather was part of the original CCC crew that cut and built the Mt. Philo road and summit area, including the shelter where the railing is being restored, in the 1920’s. John Robert's dad is Bob Davine, who has been a Parks Maintenance Technician for the past 25+ years. That makes 3 generations of one family caring for Mt. Philo! That's Vermont for you!

Dear Vermont State Parks, We have been meaning to write since summer, and as Thanksgiving approaches I am reminded to not let any more time pass. Please find the attached picture of one of the park staff with our kids. My husband and I have six year old twins, and we wanted to introduce them to camping this year. By sheer accident, we landed in Branbury State Park . Due to the July 4th holiday, there was initially no room, but the following day -- loving Lake Dunmore -- we asked again and were lucky enough to be able to pitch our little tent in site number seventeen. The Venture Vermont activities were beyond perfectly perfect. My son and daughter learned to climb a mountain, cross a moving stream, build a fire without matches. The young men and women teaching in the program were sensitive, insightful, funny, kind, and in the end very good at their jobs --each and every one. We can't say enough to our friends many of whom have children where we live here in Manhattan and plan to V...

Governor Jim Douglas announced that Vermont State Parks reported the busiest operating season in 15 years. As theregular season came to a close on Columbus Day, State Park attendance was up 15 percent over 2009 as 836,984visitors enjoyed Vermont beaches, mountains, campgrounds and trails. “As Park staff are cleaning up and turning off the lights for the last time until next spring, they have much to celebrate, as do all Vermonters,” said Governor Douglas. “Vermont State Parks are a fun and affordable get-a-way that more people are now taking advantage of that thanks to foresight, innovative marketing and smart investments at the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation. Vermont capitalized on a great season, boosting our local economies around the state at the same time.” The numbers break down to 455,319 day use visits – a 23 percent increase over last year – and 381,665 camper visits. Forty-five percent of campers were Vermonters, while 55 percent were from out-of-state. Craig Whip...

Rain Droplet By Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger Smugglers’ Notch State Park In the purview, the clouds form round the mountain, This my home, the Earth’s life fountain, Just an insignificant being am I, A droplet formed and released from the sky, Free falling, where will I end? So many places I could descend, Will it be land? Will it be sea? Will it be roots at the base of a tree? Closer and closer, ready to go, It’s now time to begin the show, Bounce, pop from stone to stone, Into the stream is where I’m thrown, Thrash, swirl, side to side, What could I do, but enjoy the ride, With one fell swoop, the ride would stop, Onto a tongue and out of the drop, What happened then I cannot say, For the darkness set in and I was led astray, Up, down, round and round, Through the dark tunnels I travelled, will I ever be found? Lost no more, I was able to see, Released once again by the side of a tree, Into the dirt I went, through humus and silt, To that mysterious place an ecosystem’s built, Fil...

A winner has been chosen in the contest to design a 21st century version of the old Vermont outhouse. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, in conjunction with the Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association, announced the winner of the “Going Green” trailside outhouse design competition at the annual meeting of the Vermont Wood Manufacturers in Woodstock, Vermont. The contest inspired several architects and design firms to submit outhouse designs compatible with CLIVUS composting toilets for use at remote trailheads and recreation areas, and state park and forest lands throughout the state. Participants were asked to create a simple, affordable wood design that could be built using native materials. The design had to be universally accessible, easy to assemble and maintain, use natural lighting and an eco-friendly finish. It also had to fit in with the aesthetics of state parks. “The winning design, by Cushman Design Group, of Stowe, VT, met all the goals of the design...

Moosalamoo Cottage at Branbury State Park has had a makeover! The improved cottage feels quieter and cozier with the addition of paintings, carvings, antiques, and other unique decor. The added charm of these furnishings are provided by the Barn Antiques out of Middlebury, Vermont (available for purchase too!). Think of the cottage as a rotating art gallery - it could have different artwork every time you visit! All cottages in Vermont State Parks have multiple rooms which sleep four to six comfortably. Electricity, heat, indoor kitchen with refrigerator, stove, freezer, toaster oven, microwave, coffee maker, cookware, and sink, and an indoor bathroom with shower and toilet are all amenities in each cottage. Other cottages are located in Camp Plymouth , Crystal Lake , Half Moon , Ricker Pond , Shaftsbury State Parks . To ensure your week long vacation is secured, it is recommended that you book early! Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through our reservation center a...

Each year four parks, representing each geographical region in Vermont, are presented with the Park of the Year Award. The purpose of the program is to acknowledge exemplary accomplishments of the parks field staff, as well as for the enhancement of public service – to make the parks a better, more enjoyable place to recreate. Competition is fierce and award recipients receive the right to display the coveted "Park of the Year" banner the following season. This year's winners are Molly Stark , Lake Shaftsbury , Grand Isle , and Seyon Lodge (staff for each park shown below in order listed from left to right). Congrats to all for your fantastic work! (Click on pic to enlarge).