Greetings Everyone!
 |
Craig Whipple,
Director of State Parks |
Wow, spring seems to have really sprung quickly around here! It's a beautiful time of year in Vermont. As we look out over the hillsides, farms and forests that are all bright, fresh and turning very green, we look forward to a summer of fun in the outdoors. It is certainly a very busy but rewarding time for all of us here at Vermont State Parks. Our amazing maintenance crews are finishing up some off-season construction projects while they are preparing all the utilities and other behind-the-scenes facility stuff that is critical to functioning parks but...that nobody sees!
Our hats go off to these heroes of the park system.
Last week, we held our annual Park Manager spring training program, which is our time to spend a few days with the key folks that will be managing the parks (and YOUR visits) all summer long. I can tell you they are highly qualified, enthusiastic and passionate about making sure your experiences are as good as they can be. We'll be ready for you!
See you out there!
Craig Whipple
Director, Vermont State Parks
|
 |
Keeping an Ear out for Thrushes
-By Rebecca Roy
While Park Managers are working hard to get ready for summer in Vermont, many birds are working hard to make homes for their babies. Migratory birds have been returning to Vermont over the last couple months and they are singing beautiful songs throughout the forests and fields. One group of migratory birds you can see and hear in many Vermont State Parks are the Thrushes.
|
|
Robin's nest at Mt. Ascutney State Park
|
Thrushes are medium sized birds that are well known for their beautiful songs. One common thrush is the American Robin, easy to recognize because of their big red bellies. Robins are building nests in trees (and maybe even in leantos) across Vermont right now. The female robin builds a nest from the inside out-starting with dead grass and twigs woven into a cup shape. She then reinforces the nest with soft mud and lines the inside with soft grass. You can see robins hunting for worms in grassy areas of many parks including Button Bay and Wilgus State Parks.
|
|
| Warbling Vireo. Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology |
Many thrushes sing unique songs because they can sing more than one note at a time. Perhaps you have been camping near the brook at Jamaica or Stillwater State Parks and heard an ethereal song of notes spiraling downward. This song, sounding sort of like "veer-y, veer-y, veer-y" in downward notes is from the Veery- a thrush that lives near stream areas. This brown bird, about the size of a Robin, is not flashy to look at but the song it produces is incredible to hear. Right now Veeries are building cup nests of dead leaves, bark bits, and small roots at the base of a tree near running water.
The most beloved thrush in Vermont is the Hermit Thrush. Although it was heavily debated by the 1941 Vermont legislature, the Hermit Thrush was designated as the Vermont State Bird effective June 1, 1941. The main debate centered on the migratory nature of the Hermit Thrush. Legislators questioned whether a state should recognize a bird that spends summers in Vermont and winters in the southern United States. Whether you agree with this designation or not, you must admit that hearing these birds in the Vermont woods is a real treat.
|
|
Hermit Thrush- note white belly with brown spots
|
Hermit Thrushes are brown forest birds about the size of Robins with brown spots on their bellies. Just like the Veery, the Hermit Thrush can sing more than one note at a time. You can hear the haunting Hermit Thrush song in the morning and the evening in most Vermont woodlands. The song starts with a long single note, and then spirals upward. Listen for it while you eat dinner or breakfast on your next trip to any Vermont State Park, including Maidstone, Molly Stark and Woodford State Parks. Hermit Thrush nests are similar to veery nests, made of small twigs and roots and set on the ground at the base of trees. All three of these thrushes have light blue eggs, although Veery eggs are sometimes spotted. Watch carefully for these nests during your next walk in the woods.
Just like migratory birds, we all want to return to our summer migratory spot-Vermont State Parks. During your next visit, take a moment to stop and listen in the forest and you will not be disappointed in the symphony you hear.
|
|
| Guide to Hiking in Mud Season Resources to help hikers enjoy Vermont's fifth season
|
|
|
Time to dust off your boots and get outside!
|
Everything is beautiful in Vermont in spring... except for the mud. During Mud Season, we ask hikers and walkers to avoid muddy trails. Spring rain and snow melt cause soggy conditions, and when walkers use these trails, it can lead to soil compaction and erosion, damaging the trail and keeping it muddy longer. Help to preserve the trails this spring by sticking to recreation paths, dirt roads, and trails at lower elevations. And, all new this season, we are posting weekly updates from our trail crews on the latest conditions and trail closures. This all can be found here. General Mud Season Hiking Guidelines:
- If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk on the vegetation beside it, turn back and find another place to hike.
- Plan spring hikes in hardwood forests at lower elevations.
- Avoid spruce-fir (conifer) forest at higher elevations and on north slopes before late May and from the end of October until frozen or snow covered.
- Camels Hump and Mt Mansfield trails are closed from snow melt (now) until they dry out. Please do not hike here. Stay below 3000 feet during these times of year.
Some recommended places to hike this spring are:
For addition information about mud season, visit the Green Mountain Club's Mud Season Hiking Guide. |
|
Searching For Spring Flowers
What to look for; where to go
One easy way to avoid muddy trails, stretch your legs and enjoy breathing in spring air is to go for a walk in the woods to spot spring wildflowers. Here are a few suggestions of places to spot these colorful signs of spring.
|
|
|
The delicate pink of Hepatica in bloom
|
Niquette Bay State Park, Colchester VT
This is one of our first parks to open (on May 6th) and (totally coincidentally) is one of the best places to look for flowers too! Look for hepatica, dutchman's breeches, violets and colonies of trillium.
Townshend State Park, Townshend VT
Elegant lady slippers (in the orchid family) in pink and white have been spotted at Townshend and at Fort Dummer State Park a but further south in Brattleboro.
|
|
|
Pink lady slippers in bloom
|
Mt. Philo State Park, Charlotte VT
Another good place to find flowers like trillium and bloodroot. Bonus: the paved park road up the hill is a good walk in mud season- the views of the Champlain Valley are beautiful any time of year.
|
|
|
As the name implies, bloodroot has a deep red root
|
Coolidge State Park, Plymouth VT
Look for trout lily and other spring blooms in the woods of the 21,000 acre Coolidge State Forest. Trout lily is aptly named- the mottled green leaves rising from the dull brown forest floor really do resemble speckled fish scales.
|
|
| Dutchman's Breeches at Niquette Bay |
|
|
Park Passes Make Wonderful Gifts
Vermont St
ate Parks
passes are a wonderful and inexpensive
way
to en
joy the parks all season long!
Individual
passes are
$30
per
person and are good for day-use at any
Vermont State Park
for
the
entire season. Punch cards cost $30, and
provide 10 day-use entries for an adult or
child, and best of all, they never expire! Vehicle
passes
are good
for the entire
season, and
entitle the owner to unlimited
day use for themselves and up
to eigh
t people in their vehicle.
Park passes make great gifts for graduation, Mother's Day, Father's Day, or any outdoorsy person in your life. To order a pass visit our website or call 1888-409-7570.
|
| Calling Park Performers! 
We are still seeking park performers for our 2017 season! If you are a musician, storyteller, birder, crafter, or have another talent that you would like to share with us, let us know! Contact: [email protected]. |
Featured Photo Intern
Jesse Keck is a Fine Arts Landscape photographer
based out of the Champlain Valley of Vermont
. He has lived in New England for over 15 years. He and his wife enjoy hiking in the Green Mountains, camping in Vermont State Parks, Geocaching, and biking by the lake.
|
|
|
Join The Fun- The Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge
The
2017 Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge
officially kicked off last month on April 1st. Every year, families from all over Vermont participate in this fun outdoor scavenger hunt, earning points while taking part in exciting outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, fishing, identifying plants, and more. Last year, there were over 200 participants who played in the parks, got outside, and discovered new things about Vermont's natural landscape.
|
|
|
Challenge: Catch & release 2 types of fish
|
There are all-new activities for Venture Vermont this year, including watching the sunrise from a summit, building a solar cooker, and learning to
identify
invasive species.
Join in the fun; download a scorecard here and check off different activities as you complete them. Remember to take photos of yourself doing all of the activities. When you reach 250 points, you are eligible to receive a VIP token and free day use in the parks for the rest of the current season and the following year.
|
|
| Challenge: Hike to a summit |
Also, there are weekly bonus activities posted on our Facebook page and on the Venture Vermont page on our website.
Good luck, and happy venturing in 2017!
|
|
Schedule some free time this summer: Vermont Days Weekend will be
June 10th and 11th, 2017
Vermont Days will be held June 10
and
11th
this year!
Day use is free at all State Parks so come and hike, picnic, swim, play, and relax all weekend. Swing by Waterbury Center State Park on Sunday at 2:00 pm to enjoy the music of the Green Mountain Brass Band!
Other Vermont Days activities include free fishing in every body of water in Vermont, free entry to Vermont historic sites, and free admission to the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier!
For more information about Vermont Days' activities and events, visit: http://www.vermontdays.com/
|
|
2017 Park Operating Season
|
|
| Spring at Emerald Lake State Park |
May 1 thru Oct. 9
Wilgus
May 6 thru Oct. 9
Niquette
May 12 thru Oct. 9**
Jamaica
** Jamaica is open May 5-7th ONLY for white water release event
May 12 thru Oct. 16
Grand Isle
May 19 thru Oct. 9
Green River Reservoir
Kettle Pond
Lake Carmi
May 19 thru Oct. 16
Gifford Woods
Quechee
Smugglers' Notch
May 19 thru Sept. 4
Stillwater
May 19 thru Oct. 22
Little River
May 22 thru Oct. 16
Mt. Ascutney
May 26 thru Sept. 17
Camp Plymouth
May 26 thru Oct. 16
Elmore
Underhill
May 26 thru Sept. 4
Allis
Alburgh Dunes
Big Deer
Bomoseen
Boulder Beach
Burton Island
Crystal Lake
DAR
Fort Dummer
Kill Kare
Knight Island
Knight Point
Townshend
Lake Shaftsbury
Lake St. Catherine
Lowell Lake
Maidstone
Sand Bar
Silver Lake
Woods Island
May 26 thru Oct. 9
Brighton
Branbury
Button Bay
Coolidge
Emerald Lake
Half Moon Pond
Kingsland Bay
Molly Stark
Mt. Philo
New Discovery
Ricker Pond
Waterbury Center
Woodford
Dec. 1 thru Apr. 15
Stone Hut
Year Round
Molly's Falls Pond
North Hero
Muckross
Seyon Lodge
Taconic Mountains Ramble
|
|
|
Holiday in Jamaica (Vermont)
Sample Weekend Itinerary
|
|
|
Park sign in Jamaica village
|
S
ummer is just around the corner and now is the time to start planning your next camping trip. Try Jamaica State Park, officially open on May 12th. Jamaica is a good base in southern VT, an hour south of Rutland, and an hour's drive north from the Massachusetts border.
Plan Your Weekend at Jamaica
Friday Evening:
Arrive, set up camp & dinner.
Explore the park, try the camp playground, then walk down to the Salmon Hole swimming area to cool off in the West River.
Saturday Morning:
Breakfast in camp.
Attend an interpretive program at the nature center.
A wide variety of programs are offered, check the nature center for a full schedule.
Lunch in camp.
|
|
| Hamilton Falls is a gorgeous spot to spend and afternoon |
Saturday Afternoon: Adventure Time!
Choose your own adventure. Pick one:
1) Hike to Hamilton Falls.
One of the most impressive waterfalls in Vermont. A 3 mile hike from the park. Start in the park grounds, follow the West River Trail for 2 miles, then take the follow the sign for "Hamilton Falls Trail" for another mile. A popular spot for wading and sunbathing, but be careful- the rocks can be slippery and dangerous.
2) Fishing or kayaking on the West River
3) Give mountain biking a try at nearby Mt. Snow in Dover, or ride the lift to the top of Stratton Mountain for great views of the southern Green Mountains.
Saturday Evening:
Return to your site, dinner in camp, s'mores, and relax after a long day.
Breakfast, break camp, pack lunches to go, check out of park. Take one last dip in the Salmon Hole on your way out.
Stop by Jamaica Village on your way, walk through town, and grab a coffee and a pastry from the Workhorse Cafe.
|
|
| Jamaica has lean-tos and tent/ RV sites |
|
|
|
Vermont Parks Forever:
The Foundation for Vermont State Parks
Keep an eye out for this
dedicated group of park enthusiasts working to leverage private resources to make Vermont's state parks even more wonderful. Vermont Parks Forever works in close partnership with VSP staff to expand access to parks, increase educational opportunities and welcome the next generation of park visitors.
Stay informed and help spread the word about Vermont Parks Forever! Check out their Facebook page, follow their tweets, or sign up for their quarterly e-newsletter at [email protected]
We greatly appreciate their support and yours!
|
Check us out on social media!
|
|
|
|
Vermont State Parks | 888-409-7579 |