Category Archives: Recreation

Funding for bike paths available

Posted on August 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Vermont Transportation Agency is distributing up to $2 million in federal funds toward projects to expand bicycle and pedestrian paths throughout the state. Program Manager Jon Kaplan told Vermont Public Radio that the program is accepting applications for projects.
Towns are required to match the money they get if their proposal is accepted. Federal, state and local sources help pay for the projects.

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Posted in Recreation, Vermont News

Recreation may be prohibited on certain lands

Posted on August 20, 2012 by | 3 Comments

WATERBURY, Vt. (AP) Vermont residents will get a chance to weigh in a new proposed rule to regulate public activities on land owned by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

The proposal would allow hunting and fishing on more than 133,000 acres but prohibits snowmobiling, mountain biking and horseback riding except in designated corridors. 

 Officials say the proposal will give game wardens the authority to enforce the rule.

The Fish and Wildlife Board has given preliminary approval to the proposal in the first of three votes.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday in Montpelier at the Pavilion Building. The second hearing will take place Wednesday at Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton. Both hearings start at 6 p.m.

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Posted in Castleton, Central Vermont, Environment, News, Recreation, Vermont News

Vt. program accepting applications for bike paths

Posted on August 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) The Vermont Transportation Agency is distributing up to $2 million in federal funds toward projects to expand bicycle and pedestrian paths throughout the state.

Program Manager Jon Kaplan tells Vermont Public Radio (http://bit.ly/Se7HAm) the program is accepting applications for projects.

Towns are required to match the money they get if their proposal is accepted. Federal, state and local sources help pay for the projects.

Information from: WVPS-FM, http://www.vpr.net

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Posted in Central Vermont, Environment, News, Outdoors, Recreation, Rutland County, Southern Vermont, Sports, Vermont News

Burlington beach reopens

Posted on August 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

BURLINGTON — The Vermont city of Burlington has reopened North Beach again.
The beach was closed on Tuesday after elevated levels of E. coli were found in the lake following Sunday’s heavy rain.
The tests were conducted on Monday.
The Burlington Free Press reports that a proposed change in municipal policy next year would reduce the number of bacteria-related closures.
Vermont State Toxicologist Sarah Vose says most strains of E. coli are harmless but indicate the possibility of a health hazard.
She said the bacteria is found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and in soil.
Officials say heavy rainfall typically washes soil particles containing the bacteria into Lake Champlain.

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Posted in Burlington, Recreation

Vt. gets FEMA approval to apply for repairs

Posted on July 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

MONTPELIER — The state of Vermont has received approval to apply for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for repairs from last year’s flooding.
FEMA had ruled earlier that the state wasn’t eligible to apply for the aid at first. That’s now been reversed.
A 93-mile trail across northern Vermont, the Lamoille County Rail Trail suffered nearly $400,000 in damage from flooding during the spring of 2011, and another quarter-million dollars of damage from Tropical Storm Irene in late August.
The trail runs from Swanton to St. Johnsbury along the former Lamoille Valley Railroad.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation owns the railway right of way, and the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers manages the trail for the state.

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Posted in Recreation, Tropical Storm Irene, Weather

Hike, Paddle, Bike: Enjoying Ricker Pond’s many gifts

Posted on July 11, 2012 by | Leave a comment

By KATHRYN EDDY

GROTON — Tucked within the 26,000 acres of Groton State Forest just southeast of Lake Groton, Ricker Pond is a relatively easy spot to find and a very rewarding paddle.

Just off Route 302 not quite 30 miles from Montpelier, this quiet pond is home to loons, ducks and beavers, among other wildlife.

If you’re not bringing your own kayak, they rent single and double kayaks by the hour for $7.50 and $12, respectively; half-day (four hours) for $20 and $35; and full day (eight hours) for $35 and $50. All prices do not include tax.

The boat launch is also a swimming area, shallow and warm and good for kids. A straight shot across the pond from the launch area is a good spot to pull up the kayak on the rocks and go for a swim or have a snack or picnic lunch.

There used to be a rope swing, but it is an easy climb down to the water without it. The whole pond is a nice, easy paddle, relaxing and pleasant. There are several seasonal, private homes around the pond and many spots to cruise by and explore.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Times Argus.

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Posted in Recreation

New owner of Burke Mountain to boost snowmaking

Posted on July 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

BURKE — The new owner of Vermont’s Burke Mountain Resort is going to increase snow-making capacity by 50 percent to help the resort during winters when there is little snow.
The plan is to get up to 100 new snowmaking guns and a new compressor that will allow technicians to make more snow both early in the winter season and late.
Burke General Manager Tim McGuire tells the Caledonian Record it’s a significant upgrade for the resort’s snowmaking system.
Jay Peak President Bill Stenger, who bought Burke in May along with a business partner, says the snowmaking system improvements will be the initial focus of the new owners.

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Posted in Recreation, Ski/Snowboard, Sports

Applications for permits available

Posted on June 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Permit applications are available online for Vermont’s muzzleloader antlerless deer lottery.
The state Fish and Wildlife Board has approved the number of December muzzleloader permits at 12,425 for 15 of Vermont’s 24 Wildlife Management Units. They allow antlerless hunting during the archery season. They also allow any deer to be taken during youth deer hunting weekend.
The deadline to apply is Sept. 5.
The lottery drawing is expected to be held in early August.
Director of Wildlife Mark Scott said the number of permits will allow for slow growth in the deer herd in most regions of the state. He said this past winter in Vermont was the mildest recorded in decades and the herd needs to be managed carefully to ensure the numbers of deer remains appropriate for habitats.

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Posted in Outdoors, Recreation, Wildlife

Taking health precautions during Vermont Days

Posted on June 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The state is warning people celebrating outdoors during Vermont Days this weekend to stay alert for ticks and mosquito bites, as well as blue-green algae.

Here’s a press release about the threats, what to watch for and how to protect yourself:

Take Precautions Against Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus and Blue-Green Algae

BURLINGTON – If you see someone tip water out of an old tire, closely check for ticks on their clothing after a hike, or scan waterways for signs of algae during Vermont Days on Saturday and Sunday, chances are they’ve heard the message from the Vermont Department of Health.
The Health Department encourages Vermonters to take advantage of free entry into State Park day areas, free fishing, and free entry into historic sites and museums during the annual Vermont Days celebration (vermontdays.com), while also taking note of common summer hazards.  Get out into the great outdoors this weekend, but be aware of the risk of West Nile virus (from the bite of an infected mosquito), Lyme disease (from the bite of an infected tick) and exposure to hazards such as algae blooms. Continue reading →

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Posted in Health, Outdoors, Recreation

Police say hiker rescued from Smugglers Notch

Posted on June 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CAMBRIDGE — Vermont State Police say a 22-year-old hiker is safe after she became trapped while hiking in Smugglers Notch in the town of Cambridge.
Police say 22-year-old Jessica Spranger of Fairfax called for help at about 8:45 p.m. Thursday and said she was stranded in the notch.
Members of Stowe Mountain Rescue and Colchester Technical Rescue brought Spranger to safety after an operation that lasted more than 2 1/2 hours.
Spranger refused medical attention.

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Posted in Outdoors, Recreation