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Newbury has taken an important step to protect one of its greatest natural assets: the Wells River. The Town now owns 69 acres of wetlands, woodlands, and open fields along the river to be used as a wildlife sanctuary, for non-commercial recreation, and as an outdoor classroom "for the Blue Mountain Union School and other local schools. Because it contains prime agricultural soils, community gardens are planned for a portion of the property. The protected land also adjoins a section of the Cross Vermont Trail that is expected to attract hiking and cycling visitors to the Wells River/Newbury area.
On September 28, the non-profit Vermont River Conservancy (VRC) purchased the property from Delbert and Shirley Leete who have owned it since 1950. The VRC donated the property to the Town, subject to a conservation easement held by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB). The land was once part of the Leete Dairy farm.
In May, VHCB awarded the project a $19,000 grant for the purchase. The grant required a local match to reach the overall $29,000 project cost. Response to the efforts of the VRC and the Newbury Conservation Commission to raise the rest of the necessary funds was overwhelmingly strong, with over two hundred people contributing to the project. In addition to a generous $3,000 grant from the Fields Pond Foundation, individuals from Newbury, Wells River, Ryegate, Groton, and other locales donated money.
Led by the combined biology and civics classes at the Blue Mountain Union School, teachers and students from BMU also organized fundraising events and raised money for the project. Wells River Village voted $300 to the project and the Town of Newbury donated $900 from its conservation fund.
The Conservation Commission first noticed the land for sale over a year ago and contacted the VRC who organized the project from the beginning. The Commission and the VRC first presented the project to the Newbury Selectboard in March. The Selectboard gave the initial go-ahead to research several questions they had about the project. In June, the Commission and the VRC made another presentation at which point the Selectboard agreed to own the land if the money could be raised.
At the packed June meeting, BMU science teacher Jane Connolly read a letter of support from the school staff explaining how valuable the conservation area would be to the school as a "hands-on, natural science resource, right here in our backyards’ When the Selectboard approved the project, the room full of project supporters broke into applause.
Alice Allen, chair of the Newbury Conservation Commission remarked: "We never could have completed this project without the skilled help of Jeff Meyers and the Vermont River Conservancy. Jeff was tireless in his commitment to guiding us through every step in the process. We knew the project was a great one and Jeff helped us bring that message to the Selectboard and the community! This project has brought a lot of positive attention to the Wells River. We hope to be able to develop many more projects with the Wells River as the focal point."
"We were very, very excited to work with the Commission, the Newbury Selectboard, and the school to achieve this project," said Jeff Meyers, executive director of the VRC. "The opportunity to help protect the river, to increase educational opportunities at BMU and other schools, and to enhance recreational opportunities for the community was very attractive. We agree it is a remarkably diverse piece of land along one of Vermont’s most beautiful rivers. The VRC was glad to help and our thanks go out to all who contributed."
The VRC is now working with the Conservation Commission and the Selectboard to finalize an Interim Management Plan which will guide initial management of the property. The Commission will work with the Selectboard to listen to public input in the development of subsequent management plans.
The Conservation Easement held by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board ensures that the property will be forever protected as wildlife habitat, and for certain recreational, educational, agricultural, and scenic uses and can never be developed.
This recently acquired property, in conjunction with the large tract owned by the Blue Mountain Union School on the opposite (south) side of the railbed, will combine to create a significant "buffer zone" along a nearly 2 mile-length section of the Cross Vermont Trail in Newbury. The Vermont River Conservancy is interested in working with other CVT towns and communities to preserve open space for recreation and conservation along the Wells River and Winooski River. For more information, contact Jeff Meyers at (802) 862-7632.
(Article by Jeff Meyers and Alice Allen)
Hundreds of feet of freshly built trail. Piles of gravel too high to see over. The clanging and thunking of tools, accompanied by grunts and occasional exclamations from highly focused trail workers. You follow the path of construction/destruction, and reach the beginnings of a large drainage ditch, in which are five young adults, covered from head to toe with mud, and grinning from ear to ear. Sound at all familiar? Only if you’ve volunteered on a trail project or worked for a youth crew; but this was the setting for the work project that the VYCC completed last summer on the Cross Vermont Trail in Newbury, VT. In August of 2000, One of the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ Greenways crews put in two weeks of work on this trail section, bringing it even closer to completion as an alternate, non-motorized route to cross 1-91 and access the Blue Mountain Union School. The amount of work accomplished was truly impressive: crewmembers installed 450 feet of log cribbing to help gradient and soil retention, put in 320 feet of Geotextile, dug 100 feet of sidehill trail, dug 260 feet of drainage ditches, and installed two culverts and one cross drain.
All this, and they also managed to learn a few things in the process. Barre historian Whitney Maxfield gave a masterful slide presentation about the history of the Montpelier-Wells River Railroad (which the CVT follows) at the Groton Lake Nature Center. State Wetlands Director Carl Pagel gave an on-site field lecture on the local ecology.
Many of the local members of the CVT Association came to visit; offering words of encouragement, food and drink, or even to help build trail for a few hours. All in all, the project was a huge success. The Cross Vermont Trail Association has applied for 2 Greenways Crews for the 2001 work season, and we hope to be working with the VYCC in Richmond and Newbury this upcoming spring and summer! (article by Eric Scharnberg)
In July 11 and 12 the Boltonville Nature Trail received some very skilled help from the Kingdom Corps of the Vermont Leadership Center in East Charleston. The Muddy Duck-bills, a crew of twelve, including three young leaders demonstrated their trail-building skills.
The previous week Eric Scharnberg, CVT coordinator and Luke O’Brien of the VT Leadership Center walked the BNT in preparation for the work to be done by the Muddy Duckbills. Luke and Eric, both experienced trail-builders, made several excellent suggestions of how to make the trail safer, more educational as well as more user-friendly
By moving the first part of the trail up and out of the swale and onto an old logging road it provided a far clearer view of the trail ahead. A few water bars were suggested on the way down to the River to protect the trail from erosion. After making a right turn at the ravine on the river and heading up into the softwoods, Luke suggested making some log stairs just staked into the ground to make the climb easier.
The next project was to build a log bridge over a groundwater seep to protect the sensitive plants.
The next project was to build a log bridge over a groundwater seep to protect the sensitive plants from foot traffic as well as keeping hikers’ feet dry. Luke decided there were more than enough blow-downs for the crew to use to build the foot bridge as well as any of the other projects along the way.
In two days time the Muddy Duckbills did all o those jobs and morel The entire west end of the BN] was fire-raked, brush was cleared away, the log steps were notched to give more traction when climbing. All the blow-downs that they used had to be peeled and split by using hand tools! No power equipment for these young trail builders! The foot bridge over the seep was a tree, more than ten feet long, split in two, peeled and spiked to base logs with railroad spikes!
Another aspect to the work of the crew was observing and recording many plant and animal species they encountered during their work. Especially important were certain amphibians whose habitat they were working in. At the beginning of their Summer job they had received instruction in identifying many of the native plants and animals they would be encountering. Along with learning good work habits and how to work together as a team they were also learning about the trees, river, plants and animals and that everything we do affects everything else!
The total amount of work done? 300 yards of trail were re-routed, 12 feet of bog bridge were built, 5 retaining walls, and 5 log steps. All this was done in two days, for a total of 360 individual people-hours of work.
We salute the Muddy Duckbills for a job well done! We are grateful for the work of the Vermont Leadership Center, all the Kingdom Corps crews and Luke O’Brien for giving these young people an opportunity to learn about our natural world. We hope to see all of you back on the BNT next Summer!
(article by Rose Paul)
Let’s say you’re riding your bike on the Cross Vermont Trail and you see a horseback rider coming toward you. What should you do?
Here’s another one. You’re skiing along and you hear snowmobiles coming up behind you. You should:
What if you’re a snowmobiler and you see a skier in the distance?
In this quiz, you get a straight A if you guessed c" every time. If you weren’t sure, the word "safely" was a tip-off.
The Cross VerrnontTrail is a multi-season, multi-use recreation path. While there may be slightly varying agreements in different towns or sections, we are mostly using pieces of roads and trails that have a long history of use, and a tradition of many different kinds of recreation.
Common courtesy and safety-consciousness will go a long way toward preventing unpleasant situations out on the trail. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If the other person or group uses a mode of recreation that is bigger or faster than you, yield the trail. This is no time to get territorial about your sport. Its all about sharing the trail and maintaining good relations. Don’t be grumpy—they have a right to be there too. Give them a friendly wavé; they’ll probably wave and smile back.
In the case of horses, you don't know how sensitive the animal will be to new sights or sounds. Its best not to startle the animal, but don’t hide from it either, or it might become more nervous.
Its generally a good idea to make others aware of your presence. It’s not unusual for someone to overtake others. If, for example, you’re quiet, or they’re talking, or it’s a loud windy day, they may be startled when you suddenly appear at their side. It helps if you can let them know you’re approaching, by saying something like "On your left" or "Rider coming through".
If you’re out with your dog, please control its actions when you encounter other recreationists. The family dog who loves you may act territorial or aggressive toward strangers. This can be a minor nuisance or a frightening experience for them. You may know that your dog won’t bite but the other person doesn’t know that. Arid family dogs do bite others sometimes. So keep them on a leash or put the leash on when others approach.
Lastly, please remember that you may be on private land, and the landowner is gracious enough to share the land with you. Respect private property by staying on the trail, not straying onto tempting side paths or logging roads. Carry out your litter, or better yet, help Out by picking up someone else’s candy wrapper or that old beer can. Don’t remove wood, dig up plants or otherwise treat the property like it was your own. We’ll all benefit from your good example.
(Clipart courtesy of Catamount Trail Association, V.A.S.T, and public domain.)
9:30 AM, on Saturday, September 30 2000, more than 30 people of all ages met in the Kettle Pond Parking Lot at Groton State Forest. Although the sun had finally risen above the surrounding treetops and mountain ridges, a thin coating of frost still covered the ground and leaves where the shadows remained. The cold fire of tall color had invaded the leaves of the surrounding maples, birches and poplars; and the breath of the people who were gathered there formed brief plumes of fog in the crisp air. Their common goal -to ride a 12-mile section of the former Montpelier-Wells River railroad bed, which is now the Cross Vermont Trail (CVT). Another common goal - to have as much fun as possible, while getting some exercise in the process.
As was the case With last year’s ride, Cross Vermont Trail Association (CVTA) Regional Coordinators Steve Desroches (Groton) and Mike Thomas (Wells River) directed the activities and coordinated the event. Volunteers Mary Hensley, Rose Paul, Lucy Gibson, and others provided assistance and information to participants at various safety checkpoints along the way. Groton Constable Milt Lamberton was stationed at the junction of routes 302 and 232 to insure sate crossing for the riders.
The 12-mile section of CVT between Kettle Pond and South Ryegate is remarkably diverse with respect to its views and surrounding terrain. Within Groton State Forest, the trail meanders among gla cially carved ponds arid lakes (Kettle Pond, Lake Groton), and steep granite mountains with precipitous cliffs and ledges (Deer Mountain, Owl’s Head Mountain). Once leaving the State forest, our route briefly followed routes 232 and 302. The riders passed the North Country Grill (an excellent place to eat any season of the year), and then left the highway at Little Italy Road, where the route rejoined the old railbed. For the next three miles, the route passes through mixed spruce, birch and beech forest, with views of farms, ponds, and bogs.
Our ride ended at the Mills Memorial Ballfield in South Ryegate, where Mike Thomas showed off his culinary skills on an outdoor grill which he had brought for the occasion. There riders and their families had an opportunity to meet and share stories about their riding experience. A van was also provided (thanks to the Vermont Agency of Transportation) to Shuttle riders back to their cars at Kettle Pond.
Thanks to: Groton and Ryegate Selectboards; the VT Agency of Transportation District Garage in Newbury; the rangers and staff at Lake Groton Nature Center, New Discovery State Park, Kettle Pond State Park; Susan Bulmer (ANR Northeast Parks Director), Milt Lamberton (Groton Constable); Debbi Desroches, Mike Thomas, Steve Desroches, Mary Hensley, Lucy Gibson, and Rose Paul (CVT Association board members); and anyone else who I may have neglected to mention. See you all at next year’s ride!
(article by Eric Scharnberg)
Four weeks into its short inaugural season, the Bike Ferry has recorded over 1,600 boardings. Local residents and tourists alike are celebrating the bike ferry which connects the 7-mile Burlington Bikepath with the 5-mile Colchester Causeway Path.
Operating where a railroad bridge across the Winooski River was removed, the ferry provides a whole new way to experience the lake for path users. The landings at the Auer Boat House and Delta Park give ferry users access to a snack bar, facilities and the natural splendor of lakefront parks. Rollerbladers from Colchester are delighted to be able to access the paved Burlington Bikepath. Cyclists from Burlington are eager to extend their rides five more miles into the middle of Lake Champlain on the Causeway Path.
The Bike Ferry is part of the larger vision to create a recreation route along the old Rutland Railroad Island Line from Burlington to the Champlain Islands with connections all the way to Montreal. Advocates are working with towns along the way to make this vision come alive. The Burlington Bikepath is also part of the route for the Cross Vermont Trail, so this ferry could one day become the link for an extensive network of greenways.
The Bike Ferry is a 24 pontoon boat outfitted with bike racks and safety equipment. It can carry six passengers and their bikes each trip. A round trip takes only about 10 minutes. The biggest complaint we have heard so far is that the boat ride is too short!
The development of the Bike Ferry could not have happened without the active support and participation of the Town of Colchester, the City of Burlington, Winooski Valley Park District, VTrans and the dozens of volunteers and donors. Particular thanks go to the volunteers from Vermont Mountain Bike Advocates who donated almost 100 hours to help construct the boardwalk through Delta Park. Thank you to all!
Weekend service will begin in May once spring water levels receed. Full 7 day-a-week service will operate during the peak summer season. Weekend service will resume through the faIl.
As a special thank you to our supporters, we will offer special season passes for the Bike Ferry. For season pass information and the specific 2001 operating schedule, get on Burlington Bikeways’ mailing list by calling us at 652-BIKE or e-mailing us at bikeferry@hotmail.com.
Inspired by all of the recent progress on the existing CVT in Newbury, Bob White and Peter Jensen (Open Space Mgt., Inc.) and Jennifer Waite (NPS Rivers and Trails Assistance Program) have recently completed Conceptual plans for the CVT from where it rejoins 302 (near the fishing access) all the way to the New Hampshire State line in the Village of Wells River. Once completed, the Newbury CVT would become the second longest continuous off-road segment of the CVT, with the longest being the trail portion in Groton State Forest. Thanks to the efforts of VAST and the Agency of Natural Resources, the trail in Groton SF was largely in place by the time that it was designated as part of the CVT. What is so special about the trail in Newbury is that the majority of it will have been built virtually from scratch with the efforts of the town itself, as well as the CVT Association and its partners and countless volunteers. According to Al Stevens, selectboard member, Wells River Conservation Association member, and former State Representative; We’d like to become known as a trail town’ offering lodging, meals, and perhaps even a shuttle service to people who use the CVT...this trail will be a wonderful way to leave a recreational legacy for future residents of Newbury, as well as to bring money into our town without changing its character as a small Vermont community."
(article by Eric Scharnberg)
Some readers are probably aware of the existence of the Lamoille Valley Railroad Corridor between Swanton in the northwest corner of the state and St. Johnsbury to the east. This corridor has been idle for many years and fallen into a state of disrepair.
A couple of gentlemen from Cambridge, developers of the 1.5 mile long Cambridge Greenway Recreation Path, have been looking at the LVRR stretch for almost ten years and developing a vision to convert the bed into a multi-use recreation trail. They feel that in its present state, the corridor is of no use to anyone, but that it presents significant economic and recreational potential.
These two individuals have joined forces with the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) to form the Lamoille Valley Recreation Trail Committee (LVRTC). Their shared vision is to turn the idle rail bed, which runs primarily through Caledonia, Lamoille and Franklin counties, into a recreation path similar to the existing 26 mile Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, which runs from St. Albans to Richford.
Members of the committee have spoken to the select boards of most of the 17 towns through which the corridor runs, in order to inform them of the ‘railtrail’ vision, and expect to complete this task shortly. They are now communicating with various commercial bike touring companies and other parties such as Johnson State College, in order to promulgate their message.
There are various entities that are entertaining thoughts of restoring the line to rail service and have their own agenda supporting such a vision. In the words of a committee member, We are not anti-train, but simply wish to submit our own plan to put this valuable asset to the greatest public use, should the state decide that restoration of rail service is not viable?’
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has formed a Consortium, comprising entities from the three aforementioned counties, to decide the best use for the LVRR corridor. The Consortium’s immediate task is to promulgate a Request For Proposals (RFP), which is due to hit the street at any time now. The LVRTC is already hard at work on its own proposal.
The implications for the towns and citizens along the 96 mile route are impressive. According to the National Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, such a facility would probably draw upwards of 200,00 users (locals as well as tourists) annually and an infusion of dollars quite likely in the millions. They base these estimates on hard data from the over 1,000 existing railtrails nationwide. The multi-use recreation trail would serve everyone from tiny tots to the elderly in providing a safe, traffic-free venue for everything from baby strollers to mountain bikes. Winter use would serve snowmobilers, cross country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts.
Our proposal will include estimates for resurfacing the bed with fine crushed gravel, which will provide a firm surface suitable for most recreational purposes. Primarily from a safety consideration, use of the trail would be prohibited for any motorized vehicles, with the exception of snowmobiles and motorized wheelchairs.
If our proposal is accepted, the committee would immediately apply for federal funds which are annually set aside for the development and maintenance of alternative transportation routes. States usually provide some matching funds for such projects and it would be hoped that local benefitting communities along the corridor would consider in-kind donations of manpower and materials to help defray some of the costs. The Cambridge Greenway project has included many volunteer group and community service workday efforts and has served as the site for no less than six Eagle Scout projects.
Those who have used a railtrail at some point in their travels have no doubt observed the proliferation of 'mom & pop’ businesses along such a corridor. Convenience stores, B & B’s, scoop shops, restaurants and bike shops spring up quickly due to the attracted customer base. Our committee sees this project serving as the nucleus for supporting the efforts of several existing and future community trail groups. The Morristown Recreation Trails Committee, Cambridge Greenway Committee and the Johnson Paths & Trails Group are among the several entities which are planning pedestrian facilities in their respective communities.
Anyone interested in assisting the LVRTC in its efforts to improve the ‘quality of life’ quotient across northern Vermont, is encouraged to contact Sanford "Sandy" Woodbeck (swoodbeck@aol.com), Laird MacDowell (laird@together.net) or Zeke Zucker (zeke@pwshift.com).
In July of 2000, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) awarded a grant of $1750.00 from their Conservation Fund Program to the Cross Vermont Trail Association (CVTA) to finance trail maintenance projects on the Cross Vermont Trail.
Since 1938, REI has been committed to protecting the outdoors for recreation and supporting programs that promote safe participation in outdoor muscle-powered sports. The CVT Association salutes REI for their generous financial gift, and we hope to see some of their store representatives at future trail events.
In January 2000, the Bikes Belong Coalition will give a grant of $2000 to the CVT Association for trail projects on the Cross Vermont Trail in Newbury, VT. In addition, they are offering a challenge grant of $5000, which we will need to match with volunteer labor, donated materials, and funds donated from towns, bike shops, and businesses or people who are interested in helping out the Cross Vermont Trail.
Bikes Belong Coalition is an organization established and supported by the leaders of the bicycle industry. Its mission is ‘putting more people on bikes more often through the implementation of TEA-21". For more information about Bikes Belong Coalition, its mission, and how to be a part of it, call 617-734-2800 or email Bikes Belong Coalition at mail@bikesbelong.org. Information about Bikes Belong Coalition, and the "Guide to Bicycle Advocacy" and Grant Application information are at www.bikesbelong.org.
Both at these grants will be used to provide necessary matching funds for the construction of the Newbury section of the Cross Vermont Trail. See "Planning Consultant Hired for Newbury CVT" below for more information on this CVT trail section.
(article by Eric Scharnberg)
In September of 2000, The Cross Vermont Trail Association hired Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) as the planning consultant for the 1-91 Underpass project on the Newbury section of the Cross Vermont Trail. VHB has had considerable experience working on similar bike trail related projects across the US. The CVT Association and the Town of Newbury are excited and pleased to have VHB working on the 1-91 project. The technical plans created for the project, and the construction that will occur in the summer of 2001; will be funded by a TEA-21 Enhancements grant, which was awarded to the I-91 CVT project in January of 2000.
The former Montpelier-Wells River railbed stretches from Montpelier to the VT/NH border. Its total length is more than 35 miles, and is mostly intact from East Montpelier to Ryegate, VT. Between Ryegate and Wells River, there are a few locations where the corridor is either nonexistent, or is in a condition that is far too rugged for cyclists or pedestrians to follow. The most formidable obstacle is found in Newbury, where the construction of the 1-91 bridge over the Wells River has completely eliminated the railbed treadway. The central component of the project will involve the construction of a 300 foot-long "underpass" for cyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers, which would effectively reunite the two sections of the trail severed by the bridge. This in turn will complete a valuable off-road gateway for the community of Wells River to access both the Blue Mountain Union School and the Boltonville Nature Trail (a project of Alice Allen and the Newbury Conservation Commission). Additional improvements on the Wells River section of the CVT will include the leveling and grading of portions of trail to eliminate drainage problems; construction of a scenic overlook (on the Wells River) with bench and safety railing; installation of gates on either ends of the trail segment to prevent illegal access and dumping; and the creation of a trailhead on Route 302 (near the Boltonville Road) with room for additional parking.
(article by Eric Scharnberg)
In December 8, the CVT Association held it’s first Annual Meeting at the National Life Building in Montpelier, VT. All dues-paying members were invited.
Sandy Woodbeck, who has been involved in the CVT effort virtually since its conception in 1992, has accepted the position of Committee Chair of the Lamoille Valley Recreation Trail Committee. He has left the CVT board directors, and has stepped down from the position of Treasurer.
Seth Coffey, who was the CVT Coordinator from January to May of 1999, and served as a board member from February 2000-February 2001 has also stepped down from the CVT Association Board of Directors. Seth continues to serve as the Parks Director for the Winooski Valley Parks District. He and Jane Boudreau Coffey were recently married last August.
Steve Desroches, who has been a board member of the CVI Association since the Fall of 1999, has accepted the position of Treasurer. Steve lives in Groton and Newbury Vermont, and has also been involved with the CVT since the early nineties.
Ned Houston of Waterbury Center, VT has joined the CVT Board of Directors. Ned is an avid mountain biker, hiker and walker, and enjoys viewing nature. Ned is an advocate of paths of all kinds, and for 7 years he was the head of Green Paths, one of the first non-profit 501(c)(3) path organizations in the state of Vermont. Ned also works as an environmental consultant. With all of his varied interests and experience, Ned plans to provide oversight and vision to the CVT effort, a project which he strongly believes in.
(article by Eric Scharnberg)
Proposed to be Vermont’s first long-distance, east-west trail; the Cross VT Trail (when complete) will run roughly 75 miles from the Connecticut River in Wells River to Lake Champlain in Burlington. The trail will provide an east-west connection linking Wells River Village and Blue Mountain Union School on the Connecticut River; South Ryegate and Groton Villages; Groton State Forest; Marshfield Village via a spur trail; Twinfield Union School via an existing short spur trail; Plainfield Village; connector trails in the Town of East Montpelier that include a trail to U-32 High School; the City of Montpelier including the downtown, the high school, and its proposed recreation path; the Village of Waterbury; Camel’s Hump State Forest; Richmond Village; and densely settled areas in Williston, South Burlington, and the City of Burlington including a direct connection to Burlington’s very popular bike path.
The eastern half of the CVT will follow portions of the historic former Montpelier-Wells River railbed, which stretches over 35 miles in length from Montpelier east to the Vermont/New Hampshire state line. This historic former railroad route passes through bogs, marshes, farm sites, and provides access to the Wells River and the Winooski River, to several lakes, public beaches, and hiking trails in Groton State Forest; and to numerous tourism-related businesses such as restaurants and bike shops, and to several schools. The western half (from Montpelier to Burlington) will mostly follow existing town and state roads along the Mnooski River; and will utilize recreation paths and off-road routes wherever possible.
Dues-paying CVTA members will receive regular updates on current and upcoming trail outings and work days. Members are also invited to annual meetings, and are welcome to attend all meetings of the CVTA board of directors. You also receive a subscription to the CVT Newsletter, which is published several times per year and provides the latest news on the progress of the CVT in the various communities through which it is proposed to pass. Finally, members receive waterproof CVT decals to decorate their favorite means of transportation (yes, they’ll even stick to your hiking boots). Whether you are a walker, a hiker, a bicyclist, a Nordic skier, a snowmobiler, or simply an outdoor enthusiast; your membership in the Cross Vermont Trail Association will allow you to join a group of people who support and enjoy the benefits of a family-oriented greenway which brings Vermont communities and recreationists together. 100% of the money obtained from membership fees will go directly into trail projects, CVT events and outings, and educational outreach programs. To become a CVTA member, fill out the form below.
The CVTA needs board members and people willing to help generate local support, especially from the following towns: Marshfield, Ryegate, Duxbury, and Moretown. The CVT needs people who are willing to volunteer on trail construction and maintenance projects — you must be willing to get dirty, work hard, meet great people, eat free food, and have fun. We also encourage anyone who would like to lead a group outing to contact us, so that they can use the newsletter as a way to publicize the event. Professional labor, equipment, and trail building materials are always needed for large-scale trail improvement projects. If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, get in touch with a local CVTA contact, boardmember, or contact the CVT Coordinator.
Enclosed is a check*/money order* for my charitable contribution of:
(* Please make checks/money orders payable to Cross Vermont Trail Association, Inc.)
Your Name:________________________________________________________________
P.O. Box / Street Address_____________________________________________________
Town / City State Zip Code ____________________________________________________
phone Number (optional)_______________________________________________________
E-mail Address (optional)_______________________________________________________
Please cut Out and mail this form to:
Cross Vermont Trail Association, Inc.* VTrans - Vermont Agency of Transportation
** ANR - Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
***TRORC - Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission
This newsletter is produced by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) with the help of many Vermont organizations.
The Cross Vermont Trail Association is a nonprofit organization formed in 1999.
Contributions of manuscripts, photos, illustrations, aNd news are welcome from all interested in volunteering the material.
Editing & Design: Eric Sharnberg (CVT Coordinator)
Copied on April 10, 2001 by Kenyon F.
Karl <Webmaster@new-england-rail-trails.org>
from the printed newsletter using a scanner and OCR software.
Unintentional errors are likely!
