Vermont State Parks

Maidstone's Day Use beach was redone after we closed. Half of the beach had been taken over by grass  and was something beach goers mentioned, so it has been taken care of!  This fall a volunteer who lives on the lake , Dave Lufkin , volunteered his time and machinery to rake the grass out of the beach. After he did. we got 4 loads of new sand delivered , then he leveled that out.....it's so amazing the difference . Campers Beach A also got the same treatment. We hope you all enjoy the new beach next season! 

It was definitely a summer to remember. A summer filled with ups and down, joys and frustrations and a whole lot of campground misadventures. Of the top of my head we had: - A camper drive a hatchet into his foot; -Feces smeared all over the mirrors at our Day Use restroom; - 6 police cruisers make their way into the park to expel a group of unruly and disrespectful campers; -10-15 car batteries die; - and a bear steal steaks and a gallon of milk from a camper’s cooler. On the upside, there were most certainly more positives than negatives. Except for a few minor snafus and set backs along the way, it was a great season. We had a great staff and overall, great park guests. We were paid many compliments in regards to how much the park has improved over the years. And new guests loved the park as well. Could it be our staff and management? Could it have been the fact we received Park of the Year honors last year? Could it be the surroundi...

Welcome to Maidstone : Just a Stone’s Throw Away from the Middle of Nowhere.   By, Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger, Maidstone State Park With the conclusion of the season quickly approaching, parks may be noticing that their flowers aren’t as green and vibrantly colored as they once were. It is coming to that time of the year when the nights are getting colder and the spring and summer’s flora and fauna are beginning to brown, indicating autumn’s ultimate arrival. Those flowers that once speckled the entrance to your park, conveying that warm and inviting feeling, will now need to be pulled, and that feeling will now be gone. Or will it? Here at Maidstone State Park , our park host came up with a great way of revitalizing the entrance, spending absolutely no money and using only naturally collected materials. After plucking dying plants from flower beds, rocks and sticks were collected, of various sizes and shapes, and placed in a way that is pleasing geometric...

By Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger, Maidstone State Park Guts, Gold and Glory: A phrase often used to portray the drive and determination of Olympic athletes in their pursuits of victory. It is because of their efforts and inspirational stories that we watch and support our country’s top competitors. We here at Maidstone State Park are no different. In an effort to show our support for our hometown Olympians and to also promote an active lifestyle for our country’s youth, we hosted our very own Maidstone Olympics, this past Sunday afternoon. With five events, individuals and teams competed to see who was the best of the best. Interestingly enough, we had individuals participate from both the US and Canada, making the competition that much more fierce. In the end, however, it was apparent that everyone was a winner. Prizes were awarded to top competitors, including donated and hand-crafted Gold, Silver, and Bronze wooden medallions. It was certainly an afternoon to be remembered....

Notes from Maidstone : Events from the Weekend July 21-22 Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger, Maidstone State Park This past weekend, in addition to our regularly scheduled Friday Night Open Mic Campfire Night, Yoga, and Saturday movie night, we also hosted out own version of the 1980's hit Nickelodeon television show Double Dare and also a loon/rock art program. Our Double Dare event was intended for all ages  and involved both trivia and challenges. Each team was asked a trivia question (relating to VT and nature) ans should they be correct, they were safe, those who were wrong had to carry out a physical challenge. The physical challenges included things like, tossing and catching water balloons in a colander that the teammate held over theri head and tossing wet sponges from one teammate to the other in order to fill a bucket to a certain line. Everyone involved recieved prizes, but the winner recieved a free pizza donated by Bruno's Wood-fired pizza on the west end o...

Off the Beaten Path: Programming Returns to  Maidstone Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger,  Maidstone   State Park What to do? What to do? Our family has driven so many hours to get to  Maidstone  and we have already exhausted all of the park’s recreational options. The closest town is at least a half hour away; and the kids are bored and crying that they want to go home. We want to stay to enjoy the peace and serenity the park has to offer, but we also know that that kids need to be entertained. Does this sound familiar? Well worry no more. We here at  Maidstone , realize that in today’s society, kids and adults alike have become too reliant on TV, computers and video games for entertainment and that when you are out camping, even though you want to relax, you also want to be entertained and engage in activities. That said, we have been diligently working to develop and deliver both educational and entertaining programs for the entire fami...

Leaves of Brilliance and Pain by Eric Bouchard, Assistant Ranger at Maidstone State Park Every autumn thousands of tourists flock to Vermont to enjoy the breathtaking views Mother Nature has to offer. With the changing of the seasons come the most brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. The awe-inspiring views are enough to attract individuals from hundreds even thousands of miles away. However, what happens to that leaf litter after peaking and falling to the ground? After a snowy Vermont winter does it all simply disappear? I know two Maidstone State Park Rangers that would say “Heck NO!” Beginning the season April 29, both Mark and Eric, strapped with 2 high powered leaf blowers, have spent nearly 80 hrs a piece clearing leaves from campsites, beaches, roadsides, culverts and all other park facilities, getting it ready for the Memorial Day weekend opening. Let’s just say that after a long days work leaf blowing and fighting off swarms of black-flies, a good meal, a few po...

Jason Berard, a native Vermonter, shared some family history and photos with us in an email. Jason grew up in St. Johnsbury, then moved to the Boston area for 10 years. He came back to Vermont with his wife (from Barnet) when they were ready to start a family. They bought a 230 year old farmhouse in 1999 in North Thetford. More recently, Jason took a job with the Upper Valley Land Trust as a Stewardship Coordinator, which allows him plenty of time outdoors hiking. Jason's great-grandfather worked outdoors for  Vermont State Parks  and Jason commented, "In some ways even though I only knew him well after he retired, I feel connected to him with the work I do now." Jason's great grandfather, Paul Reed, was the first caretaker at Maidstone State Park . The photo to the left shows Paul with a local furry friend. After his time at Maidstone, he took the job as Caledonia's County Forester. Jason was lucky to have many old photos of his relatives which show their ...

Camp Plymouth Staff 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 Camp Plymouth , Half Moon , Lake Carmi and Maidstone . Congrats to all for your fantastic work! Half Moon Staff      Lake Carmi Staff  Maidstone Staff

A Sparassis crispa fungus or califlower mushroom decorates this tree Throughout the state of Vermont, thousands of different species of fungi co-exist amongst us. Ranging in size from microscopic to very large, these organisms serve a multitude of purposes that, without their presence, would change the face of the world as we know it. As many of us know these unique life forms can be found in many of the items we encounter daily, from foods to medicines. Though, many forms of fungi can be harmful, even deadly, their presence is essential to maintain life on earth. Breaking down organic life forms, to become a part of the earth and soil, allows ecosystems to both grow and thrive, maintaining the beautiful places we all enjoy escaping to for recreation and general enjoyment. A Polyporus spp. fungus or shelf mushroom taken in Maidstone State Park Though fungi can be found on the forest floor when snow no longer blankets it, it is after a steady rain, suc...

A loon with a snack Maidstone State Park is hosting a loon packed weekend. Activites begin with an interpretive walk on Friday (starting at the B-loop bathhouse at 8:00 PM) and slide show. The next morning, get ready to head out on the lake, via canoe or kayak (both available for rent), and observe these unique creatures in their natural habitat. Other activities include: a sand castle contest, a sack race, a movie at dusk, fishing and hiking opportunities, and more! Programs are free with paid park entry, but if you want to camp, make your reservations by calling the park directly, 802-676-3930. A pair of loons on Spectacle Pond in Brighton State Park In addition, you can help contribute to the Annual Statewide Loon Count. On Saturday, July 16th visit some beatiful ponds and record your findings for the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. "Many of the unassigned lakes are small and will likely not have loons, but it is still important to check them occasionally. However, the...