Vermont State Parks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 28, 2019 Contact: Reuben Allen Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources (802) 786-3838, reuben.allen@vermont.gov Enhancements coming for Lake Shaftsbury State Park             Shaftsbury, Vt. -- Several operational changes are slated for Lake Shaftsbury State Park for the upcoming summer season. These changes are in response to increased visitation and a continuing effort to better serve the demands of park visitors. Changes include a new playground, a more relaxed pet policy, and an extended operating season. The playground is expected to be in place and ready for visitors by mid-June and will include swings, a dome-shaped climbing structure and a large, classic play structure. For the first time, pets will be allowed in the park everywhere except the sandy beach and inside buildings. Access areas for dogs to go for a swim separated fr...

We could use your help raking leaves and with litter removal in the following parks: Saturday, May 4th at 10am Mt. Philo Button Bay Branbury Half Moon Pond Bomoseen Saturday, May 11th at 10am DAR Lake St. Catherine Emerald Lake Lake Shaftsbury Woodford Please email Ranger Brian ( brian.crouse@vermont.gov ) if you plan to attend the spring clean up or if you have any questions.   

Fresh-baked maple cookie at Seyon Lodge State Park  Despite the up and down weather, there’s a sweet smell in the air, which means it must be maple season! In honor of our official state tree and state flavor, here are some suggestions on how to incorporate maple into your camp recipes. Oatmeal Deluxe Oatmeal has a well-deserved reputation as a healthy breakfast, but after too many mornings of gooey goodness, let’s face it, it can get a bit monotonous! Luckily, fresh maple syrup is the perfect accompaniment. Bonus: it’s simple to prepare over the campfire- just boil some water and let your oats sit for 5 minutes. To jazz up your basic bowl, there are many options to try. Nuts, seeds, berries, dried fruit, coconut flakes or even chocolate chips are all easy to pack, store and carry in camp. You could even create a DIY Oatmeal Bar that allows everyone to customize their own breakfast! http://thefirstmess.com/2012/08/30/diy-healthy-instant-oatmeal-recipe/ http://www...

Contact: Walter Opuszynski, Field Recreation Specialist Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources (802) 476-0181 / (802) 522-6022; Walter.opuszynski@vermont.gov Waterbury, Vt. – Concrete ramps will be installed at the Waterbury Dam and Blush Hill boat launches this February to improve recreational access around Waterbury Reservoir. Green Mountain Power (GMP) will be doing the work as part of the company’s commitment to improving the Waterbury Dam and surrounding areas. GMP will improve four recreational access areas around Waterbury Reservoir: Moscow Paddlers’ access, Waterbury Dam boat launch, Blush Hill boat launch and Anglers’ Trail. The Anglers’ Trail was completed in 2018 and the other three locations will be finished in time for the 2019 summer season. Every winter, the water level of the reservoir is drawn down to create space for spring run-off. When the water levels dip below the bottom of the ramps in Februar...

Winter is a beautiful time of year here in the northeast. Everywhere you look there is snow sparkling in the sun, icicles in the windows, snow-capped mountains in the distance, and this week, breathtakingly cold weather!  In an effort to embrace the temperatures, we at Vermont State Parks decided to embark on a project that combines ice, art, balloons, and some freezing temperatures. What could it be? GIANT ICE MARBLES! What you will need: -Balloons -Food coloring -Water -Freezing air or a freezer How to make them: 1. First, open the mouth of the balloon and place several drops of food coloring inside.  You can use the standard colors or mix your own by combining two different colors. 2.  Stretch the mouth of the balloon around the head of a faucet. Slowly fill i t up with water until the balloon is slightly smaller than a bowling ball. Note :  If the balloon loses grip with the faucet, things can get messy. Keep a  firm ho...

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 i...

Mt. Ascutney, 9 AM Easy-moderate hiking, approximately 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. All ages welcome. Trail depends on conditions. Pets on leash welcome.  Meet at entrance to Mt. Ascutney State Park. Dress in layers, bring water and snacks. Microspikes or snowshoes recommended. Lake Willoughby Area, 10 AM Join us for this First Day Hike in memory of Dave Hardy, who dedicated countless hours to the stewardship of the Long Trail in Vermont. This hike has beautiful overviews of Long Pond, Lake Willoughby and Bald Mountain and is considered moderate with a few tricky areas. Snowshoes or microspikes will be need for this 4-mile round trip. All ages, pets permitted on leash. Meet at Long Pond trailhead 10AM.(From RT 5A in Westmore, turn onto Long Pond Road at the Westmore store, continue up for 2.5 miles, go past Long Pond for about 1/8 mile, parking is on the left at the Long Pond Trail parking area). Please confirm with Jean Haigh at jhaighvt@gmail.com  or Cathi Brooks at cathibr...