Vergennes, VT: Up, Down, Around Main, New News ~ Special Edition

SPECIAL EDITION

Park Street Community Project

to Enhance Downtown Vergennes

Vergennes Partnership is pleased to be working with the members of the Park Street Community Project; read on!

Expand public green space in the center of downtown Vergennes

The Park Street Community Project (PSCP) is a local nonprofit working to expand the public's access to green space in Vergennes on what is currently the west-facing lawn of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, adjacent to the City Green. PSCP seeks to transform the property into an attractive and usable space that will serve the community. The property is also home to the new Stephen Bates historic marker, making it a welcome spot for residents and visitors to rest, gather, and reflect. The Vergennes Partnership has graciously agreed to serve as fiscal agent for our small nonprofit. We need your help to raise funds that will be matched 2-to-1 by Vermont’s Better Places program!

This is the last phase of a long effort. St. Paul’s worked with the Vergennes City Council to repair the sidewalk on Park Street several years ago. The church then repaired their beautiful stained-glass windows that provided the backdrop for this green space. This last phase, organized and implemented by PSCP, will involve regrading, landscaping, and installing seating to welcome the community.

The overall project has been supported by the Vermont Historic Preservation Fund, a state Downtown Transportation Grant, the Walter Cerf Community Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation, and the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.

With your support we can finish this effort, providing beautiful new green space that will expand the reach of the City Green downtown and welcome residents and visitors!

What we are creating...

The space is currently overgrown with poor drainage and several dying trees. We will:

Regrade the lawn to provide better drainage and a more level surface
Install landscaping at the borders of the lawn and around the historic marker
Install seating and clearly mark public access and use

This space is designed to attract pedestrians to downtown shops and to provide recreation and health opportunities for residents and visitors. This project also supports the municipal development plans of Vergennes regarding tourism, transportation, expanding public parks, and promoting the stewardship of public lands. The green space is also a new stop on the Vermont African American Heritage Trail (VAAHT), providing educational opportunities around the Bates historic marker.

How YOU can help!

Please make a donation! We have sixty days, from August 15th to October 15th to raise up to $20,000. If we reach our goal, we will receive a 2:1 matching grant from Vermont’s Better Places program, for $40,000. That means a $25 donation will become $75, a $100 donation will become $300, and so on. Giving at any level counts! This is a great opportunity, so please donate and spread the word.

To Donate Online, CLICK HERE.

If you prefer to give offline by cash or check please make/drop mail donations to:

Vergennes Partnership,

PO Box 304, Vergennes, VT 05491.

Please make sure to state this is for the Park Street Community Project!

If you have questions or inquiries please email parkstvergennes@gmail.com

Thank you so much! We couldn't do this without you!

View of property from Park and Main Streets

Stephen Bates historic marker

Panton stone steps facing the Vergennes City Green

VP News is brought to you by Vergennes Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Little City reach its full potential. Through the Partnership, the City has earned over a million dollars since 1999 with tax credits and grants which have greatly improved the health, appearance and vitality of the downtown and beyond.

To become a member or simply donate to the Partnership, click here.