Yestermorrow
Last year we continued the path north from the Kingsbury Farm Greenway across the Yestermorrow campus! VTrans even added recreation crossing signs to help improve the safety of crossing Rt 100 here--but stay sharp and cautious when crossing all roads. This year we're planning to complete a 1 mile multi-use trail loop up on the hill above campus! Once permitting is completed by late spring or early summer, we'll get going with the new trail.
stewardMRV
You'll hear more about this soon, but we wanted to give you a sneak peak at what we've been up to with this new collaborative stewardship initiative. By early summer, you'll see two new wooden structures to house well-managed portlets and trash/recycling bins at the most popular recreation sites in the MRV. This year is the pilot for stewardMRV with more to come in following years, so we'll be looking for feedback from you!
Irasville Common
Thanks to the tenants of the Irasville Common Condo Association, we're extending Fiddler's Walk to Rt 100! This gravel path between the driveway and the cemetery is rolling out the red carpet for folks. The trail is a fantastic way to get to Sugarfish and Fiddler's Green then over the Lareau by foot or bike so you can skip the Rt 100/Rt 17 intersection. We appreciate funds from the MRV Recreation District for this project!
Wildlife Library
The brand new Little Free Library is up on the Mad River Path! Find it along the Hosford Highway boardwalk between the Skatium and Carroll Rd. You may borrow a wildlife or nature book from this "book birdhouse" anytime and bring it back when you're done. Or, grab one of the plant or bird ID books for a few minutes to identify features of the surrounding natural world!
New Picnic Tables
Looking for a lunch spot? There are two brand new picnic tables hand built by Charlie! One is at the Mill Brook Trail trailhead at The Swanson Inn and Mad River Veterinary Hospital, and the other is in the orchard at the Flemer Field behind the Waitsfield Town Office. Enjoy!
Wildlife Exploration Shelters
Tripling as picnic sites, relaxation spots, and wildlife exploration shelters, you'll find three new open-sided gazebos along the path by the end of 2021! We're finalizing locations and permitting over the next couple of months, and then it's build time! Over the winter we'll complete really well done interactive displays that will be installed in spring of 2022. Thanks to the Outdoor Gear Exchange for a grant to build one of these shelters!
Vegetation clearing
Keeping paths and trails clear of vegetation is a never ending activity from May through September! Like every year, we are out there with weed whippers and mowers keeping the grass, branches, and other plants at bay. Clearing the vegetation keeps it more enjoyable and reduces the risk of ticks!
Stocking Dog Poop Bags
We make sure that folks walking dogs have no excuses to leave dog poop on the path! About a dozen dispensers are kept filled at trailheads across the MRV. Nearly 3,000 bags were used since October, and we expect at least 4,000 more to be used in 2021. We also built two mobile stations that are traveling to events and stores all year.
StoryWalk® on the Path
With families looking for fun activities to do outside this summer, MRP once again partnered with MRV Libraries to set up waterproof pages of children books on posts along path sections. Check out the Warren Path currently, and stay tuned for other locations!
Beaver City
You may have gotten wet feet on the Hosford Highway boardwalk over the past year--sorry about that! Our beaver friends have been busy making their home, which is also providing amazing habitat for dozens of other critters. Working with VT Fish & Wildlife and Lawson's Finest, we installed a beaver baffle that will help keep the boardwalk above water level. Learn more here!
Continuing floodplain restoration
Working with the Waitsfield Conservation Commission, Friends of the Mad River, and Intervale Conservation Nursery, we've been tackling invasive Japanese knotweed and honeysuckle in the Town-owned Austin Parcel. A few years in now, we're seeing amazing results as this area has transformed back into a natively vegetated floodplain. Thanks to our trails manager, David, for his commitment to this work along MRP's Austin Walk!
Planning
We're always planning for new sections. Talking to landowners, exploring terrain, inquiring with folks, keeping an eye on real estate, and scouring maps is a year-round endeavor to work towards our mission.
Maintenance & Improvement Projects
There are always repairs and erosion control work that pops up, or a generous path host needs an improvement done. We try to be quick to address all that the path needs to be the best gateway to the MRV great outdoors!
|
