Vermont State Parks

Branbury State Park visitors were surprised to see a giant Emerald Ash Borer running through the campground recently. The invasive pest was looking for a ride in their firewood. The giant pest ran through the campground trying to hitchhike, but no one would offer up a ride! That’s because the Park Interpreter Rachel was there to inform campers that the Emerald Ash Borer is a BAD BUG and you shouldn’t help it move from one place to another. The EAB kills Ash trees, and Branbury’s visitors said no way! When the Emerald Ash Borer tried to kill a few Ash trees at Branbury’s campground, the bug was caught by a group of children who helped  to thwart the attack. Good job everyone! Keep an eye out for this bug and never move your firewood from one place to another because that’s how the EAB catches a ride! If you see an Emerald Ash Borer (besides this one J ) please contact the Department ofForests, Parks and Recreation , the USFS or the USDA immediately! So far this...

And the Winners Are... Southeast:   Quechee State Park Southwest:  Branbury State Park Northwest:  Kill Kare State Park Northeast:  Elmore State Park Every year we award park of the year to one park in each region. 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 better, more enjoyable place to recreate. We do this to emphasize focus on group accomplishment.  Here is a list of some of the c riteria: ®      Staff must display outstanding hospitality to all park visitors. ®      Staff must demonstrate an outstanding ability to tactfully handle conflicts and reinforce rules and regulations. ®      Special consideration will be given to the operation that goes “beyond the normal call of duty”  ®      Staff must maintain a...

Saturday June 2nd, 2012 is National Trails Day! This is the 20th annual National Trails Day. The event was created as a trail awareness program by the American Hiking Society. We encourage you to get out and hike, bike, or paddle your favorite route on June 2nd, or find a new favorite! Vermont State Parks is also co-sponsoring a National Trails Day event, and YOU’RE INVITED! Location : Branbury State Park and the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in the Green Mountain National Forest. Meet at Branbury, the hike/bike will start there and head into the National Forest. When : Saturday, June 2nd from 10am until 2pm (Feel free to stay longer and enjoy the park and trails on your own!) 10:00 am : Your choice of an easy to moderate guided hike to Silver Lake or an advanced 11 mile mountain bike ride (bring your own bike) on the newly re-opened and reconstructed Leicester Hollow and Chandler Ridge Trails within the Green Mountain National Forest. You can also choose to hike on you...

Wading off of Burton Island This week I explored the state parks on Lake Champlain which was great for cooling down in the hot summer heat. There was a big difference between these parks and the woodland parks I've been visiting over the past few weeks. Kingsland Bay has a great day use area with historic buildings that house events throughout the season. It is popular for weddings although I didn't see anyone getting hitched while I was there. I next went to nearby DAR State Park where I walked down to the water, a perfect spot for fishing. While there, I bumped into an interesting fisherman. This guy was great at fishing. He kept reeling fish in, naming them, and then throwing them back. I bet he knows every fish in the lake. Onto the most unusual state park I went to: Burton Island . After a short ferry ride, I stepped off onto a beautiful island. Everywhere you look is a beach where every rock on the beach is a perfect skipping rock. I can’t seem to skip a singl...

Wood up close Let it be known that today, Sunday, June 12th I have built a fire outdoors with damp firewood. This is my first fire starting ever. It took more fire starters then probably acceptable for a boy scout but I needed a fire to dry off my long socks, the two pairs of shoes I brought and my warmest sweatshirt so I was persistent. The wood was sizzling, foaming and dripping water from the end of its logs for a long time and for quite a while the wood was just some coals and then all of a sudden it became a lasting fire and I kept running back to the car to get more things to dry off. It's so nice to have these articles of clothing back. When your outside everything somehow gets wet. I wanted to have a dog when I went camping but my loyal car which I call Siddhartha is just like one. It travels with me as a companion, it protects me, and smells like a wet dog. I don't know if that means I smell dog like but I try to keep it under control. pink lady's slipper T...

I have been living in Vermont State Parks for a week now and it has been awesome. I am taking pictures for Invasive Species Research and various other subjects for the state parks. Everyone who I have met working for the parks are very friendly. So far I have seen many chipmunks, red squirrels, newts, garter snakes, turtles and one skunk. My favorite campsite so far has been the Ash lean-to in Coolidge State Park. There you overlook the green mountains and it looks like they go on for an eternity. Branbury is a great park with the beautiful falls of Lana and crystal clear lake to lounge or swim in. I am really looking forward to the rest of the summer exploring new places and finding myself in various adventures for the rest of the summer. -Ellie

DR Power tries out a new lawn mower Thanks to the help of DR Power, Branbury State Park was able to open early last year, much to the delight of swimmers and boaters.  Ranger, Lesley Porter, was excited to work with them again this year as they test equipment such as stump grinders, leaf and lawn vacs, and trimmers while helping to clean up area state parks. Don Selby, Product Testing Manager at DR Power in Vergennes says, "It's a win-win situation". The parks offer plenty of lawn care opportunities for DR Power to test their latest equipment and state parks love the help.  Plus, he and his co-workers enjoy getting out of the office and into places like  Lake St. Catherine State Park or D.A.R. State Park  to rev up their machines.  DR Power tests prototypes in all seasons, although Don admits that his crew prefers the spring and fall months when the temperatures are perfect for being outside all day working the big machines. Be...

Volunteers raked up a storm Come on out and help Vermont State Parks staff with the tough but rewarding task of getting a park ready for the season! For your efforts, volunteers will receive a punch card or a FREE night of camping! If you are interested in volunteering in one of the three parks listed below, please RSVP by calling Lesley Porter at 802-418-7630 or email her lesley.porter@state.vt.us . Choose to help in one, a bunch, or all! Saturday, May 7th, 10AM - 2PM in  Bomoseen State Park Saturday, May 21st, 12PM - 4PM in  Woodford State Park Saturday, May 21st, 10AM - 2PM in Branbury State Park If you can't make it to any of these parks but wish to help out at another state park, please contact the ranger at the park where you wish to volunteer. These phone numbers can be found on the individual park pages on the Vermont State Parks website .  Painting the bathrooms turned out to be a blast Volunteers will help clean up the campground and...

Stick collecting was fun at Lake St. Catherine The first volunteer day of the season was a tough one! The weather at Lake St. Catherine State Park was cold, cloudy, and very windy, but this didn't dampen the spirits of eight hard-working individuals. Five AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) volunteers and three Green Mountain College students spent the day collecting broken branches and picking up trash. Having an extra sixteen hands makes getting a park ready for the season a much less daunting task. Lesley Porter,  Branbury State Park's Ranger, was with the group during the day and commented on how great a job everyone did. She couldn't thank them enough! The whole crew after a great day's work For their generosity and efforts, each volunteer received a Vermont State Parks punch card , good for 10-day use visits to any Vermont State Park.  If you are interested in volunteering for parks, there are a few volunteer days coming up just ar...

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...

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...