Misha Golfman
Urgent Community Request: Save the Clay Brook ...
Urgent Community Request: Save the Clay Brook Bridge!
Misha Golfman
Meet Our New Implementation Coordinator, Jeff!
Meet Our New Implementation Coordinator, Jeff!
Misha Golfman
Winter News from the Mad River Path
Winter News from the Mad River Path
Misha Golfman
Mad River Path and Mad River Riders Explore ...
Mad River Path and Mad River Riders Explore Closer Collaboration
Misha Golfman
Ashuapmushuan River Family Expedition
Ashuapmushuan River Family Expedition

2027 Chic Chocs Registration is OPEN!

Register now for our 2027 Canadian backcountry ski trip in the Chic Choc Mountains!

Hurry and grab your spot for what is truly the experience of a lifetime - a backcountry excursion in the Chic Choc mountains of Quebec, the northernmost reaches of the Appalachian mountains. This area regularly gets 300 inches of snow yearly, and Parc National de la Gaspesie offers a system of cozy huts that will allow us to ski into the depths of this enchanted northern wilderness with the comfort of a wood stove at night.

Mount Logan, at 1150 meters, is an outstanding backcountry skiing objective, offering above-the-tree-line terrain for all levels with minimal avalanche risk. Expect powder, encounters with moose, and northern lights if we are lucky!

Register now

Big thanks to our volunteers!

The Mad River Path is maintained and improved by our many dedicated volunteers, and their hard work certainly does not go unnoticed. Right now, board member Jon Rickard is leading the charge over at the Clay Brook Bridge, replacing decking and final touches with help from our friends over at Bee.

Over at the Heart of the Valley boardwalk, Charlie and Gene have been working hard to replace the door of the Little Free Library, which was vandalized earlier this summer. It’s better than ever, and ready to help our local walkers and birders identify their wetland surroundings.

Last but not least, our staff have and volunteers have replaced 20 new dog signs at trailheads with leash law and waste pickup reminders.

You’re Invited! Ride the Path from Warren to Waitsfield

friday, sep 11, 8:30 am

On behalf of the Mad River Path Implementation Committee, we are excited to invite you to join a free, informational group bike ride on the Mad River Path between Warren and Waitsfield. We will ride the completed sections, those slated for the near-term improvements, and explore the future connectivity opportunities. We will be the first group to officially tour the newly completed Kingsbury Greenway section of the Path! Along the way, we will stop at the key recreational and hospitality sites and envision the Mad River Valley connected by an unbroken off-road bike and pedestrian corridor.

Logistics: We will meet at 8:30 AM at the General Wait House in Waitsfield. Bikes and participants will be shuttled to Warren, so at the end of the ride, you will be back by your car. Alternatively, you can meet us by the Warren Path entrance at the Brooks Recreational Field at 9 AM. We expect to finish by noon.

What to bring: We suggest using a mountain bike, as several sections of the path are unimproved dirt track, while others are mowed grass. The experienced riders can negotiate the entire route on a gravel bike. Please reach out to Misha if you need to borrow a mountain bike. Two miles of the 8-mile ride are on the shoulder of VT 100, so please wear high-visibility garments. Halfway through the ride, we will be treated to refreshments and coffee at MadBush Falls.

The rain date is Friday, September 25. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 9.

RSVP

A Reflection on Service and Community in the Valley

Service and Community in the Valley

A reflection from americorps service member abby bell

Abby Bell and MRP Board Member Jon RIckard at the new Cloud Water Farm bikepacking campsite

One of the first things I noticed when I started my service in January was the unique sense of community and collaboration that exists here in the Valley. As the months have gone by, it has only become more and more apparent; Mad River Path is a community project in every sense of the phrase. There are countless people who contribute to the work that goes into maintaining and developing the Path, often behind the scenes. There are our stewards, who monitor a section of the path every week to keep it clean and safe. There is Eamon, who mows the grassy trails. There are board members like Jon, who lends his time and expertise in construction to projects like the Cloud Water Farm composting toilet. There are our partner organizations, who collaborate with us and support us. There is our small but devoted team of staff, who are committed to growing this sense of community even more through on-the-ground connection. And, importantly, there are community members who donate their time and money to make all of this work possible.

As an AmeriCorps service member, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to many different aspects of this work and witness this sense of community firsthand. Almost every morning, I’m out on the trails, weed whacking one section at a time and seeing how people use the path. During our summer programs, I helped kids foster connections with each other and with nature. For events, I support the many logistics that go into bringing people together in a meaningful way. Whenever there is a maintenance project, I am there ready to learn how to use a new tool and lend a hand. 

There is so much more to a trail than what you see when you’re walking on it. Behind every bridge, boardwalk, mowed trail, event, and program are people who have given their time, skills, and resources to make it possible. I’m grateful to be one small part of that effort this year, and to have the opportunity to see just how much can happen when people come together around a place they care about. 

Dogs on the Path

In response to a new dog ordinance from the town of Waitsfield, we are installing 20 redesigned dog owner information signs at the trailhead kiosks:

These temporary signs will replace the signs installed in 2024, reflective of the previous “dogs under control of the owner” town policy. The temporary signs will be up by August 28. We are looking forward to being a part of the conversation between the town officials and the trail users regarding effective ways to implement the new dog policy. Once we have clarity on the ways and means from the town, we will design and install permanent signs.

In the meantime, since the beginning of June, 90% of the dog signage in the towns of Warren, Fayston, and Waitsfield has been stolen from the trailheads. Neck of the Woods school has supplied their own signs, which have been repeatedly stolen as well. Last week, the Little Free Library at the Heart of the Valley boardwalk was vandalized. This amounts to over $4000 in theft and damage.

These assets are maintained by volunteers and paid for through community fundraising. Unfortunately, this is the way someone in our community is choosing to express themselves. If you are them, or know of them, please come forward so we can engage in honest and direct dialogue, rather than incur unnecessary costs and losses to our already very limited resources.

This Place Is For the Birds!

A new interpretive panel has been installed at the trailside gazebo on Wait’s Way in time for the new school year. The panel was designed and illustrated by a local artist, Jeannie Nicklas, in collaboration with Waitsfield Elementary School students. It was installed by Path volunteers, with funding provided by the MRV Recreational District. Thank you, everyone, for working together and for involving the children!

The Work Has Started on Kingsbury Greenway!

Tears roll down my eyes as I watch a group of six professional trail-builders lay out a beautiful, smooth path in place of rough single track. The first section of Mad River Valley active transportation corridor is emerging from dreams to reality in front of me, and that is pure magic!

The long-anticipated accessibility improvements have started on the Kingsbury Greenway in Warren. The work includes re-routing, widening, grading, and surfacing the path between Riverside Park and the Wabanaki Recreational Area. Other components of this project include an art mural installed earlier this summer by the students and staff of Mad River Arts, and the Clay Brook Bridge rehabiitation, led by Path board member Jon Rickard and volunteers. The trail work is being done by Timber and Stone, Vermont’s premier trail-building company based in Montpelier. 

As I watch nimble, low-impact machines and their master operators making swift progress towards Kingsbury Bridge, I reflect on the past three and a half years of hard work, envisioning, building the coalition of support, scoping, permitting, and fundraising, all leading to this pinnacle moment, and I am filled with gratitude to countless board and committee members, town and state officials, volunteers, donors and partner organizations, the entire community that made this project possible.

We expect to complete the entire project by the end of September. Visit the Implementation Plan page on our website to keep up as we progress through this project.

Left to Right: Ryan Baxter, CJ Scott, Josh Ryan, Avery Ryan, Tommy Zschau, Matt Hawes

Have You Filled Out the Trail Use Survey Yet?

Take our quick survey to help us access crucial local, state, and federal funding!

This summer and fall, Mad River Path is conducting a recreational economic study through trail counters at five key locations as well as a trail use survey. The data from this study will help us to secure federal, state, and local funding for the completion of the Mad River Path. Please help this important community initiative by taking 3-5 minutes of your time to complete the survey!

CLICK HERE to take the survey if your primary residence is in the Mad River Valley.

CLICK HERE to take the survey if you are a visitor, non-resident, or second home/vacation home owner or renter.

Thank you!

Survey - Residents
Survey - Visitors

A Note About Dogs on the Path

Two weeks ago, a little dog, Barkley, was injured (and later had to be put down) on West Greenway in Waitsfield, just 100 yards from the trail parking and behind the Neck of the Woods preschool. He was attacked by an unleashed dog, whose owners chose to leave the scene and drive away without checking in with Dan Zucker, the owner of Barkley. Not long after, three goats were attacked and ultimately killed by an uncontrolled dog on town property near Wu Ledges and the Austin parcel.

Most dog walkers leash their dogs or have them under verbal control. Most dogs are well-behaved and are a pleasure to meet on the trail. Most people pick up after their dogs. I say this with confidence, because that is what I observe daily during trail maintenance and on field trips with the MRP adventure students. Dog etiquette on trails mirrors general conduct in society. Most people obey the speed limit, heed pedestrians and bicyclists, don’t litter, and are friendly. What do we do about the few who aren’t, and how do we respond, rather than react?

Let’s start with what we have already done. Every trailhead in the valley has a well-designed and illustrated dog owner etiquette informational sign. Very recently, Waitsfield has instituted a leash law. We will change the signs accordingly in time for the 2027 season.

The Mad River Path website has a Dogs on the Path section, as do the Chamber of Commerce and the Rec District. Clearly, the information and signage alone are not enough.

Here is something we can try. I started this article with common examples of civil behavior. Have you noticed the difference between not littering and picking up after others? Between saying “hi” in passing and engaging with another person? Between obeying traffic laws and letting others get ahead of you, or make a turn out of their driveway? In other words, a difference between being focused on yourself, while following the rules, and living so that every moment is an opportunity for an encounter? Let’s apply this to trails: engage with each other, telling the unleashed dog walkers the story of Barkley, looking them in the eye with a smile… Not a dog police, but an engaged and caring community.

There is yet another thing we are going to try: designating certain trails to be off-leash. When you ask someone to give something up (to keep their dog on the leash), it is nice to give them something in return (allow them to have their dog off leash in a designated place).

And a final thought: We used to have dogs for farming, hunting, and pulling sleds. Today, the main reason is the unconditional love, kindness, and acceptance they have for us. These are in short supply. Perhaps there is something we can learn about relating to one another by observing the dogs.

A Walk on the Wild Side

We had a great rainy week of Wild Things camp. Our snug camp on Stetson Brook held remarkably well in the weather, and students gathered dry firewood, even in the pouring rain! On Tuesday we climbed at Bolton Dome just before the weather closed in. Over the course of the week, we made wooden spoons, gathered wild mushrooms, squeezed through tight pinches in a mysterious cave, hiked Sunset Ledge, jumped off several sets of cliffs into cold water, and picked 45 pounds of blueberries for the senior center! Students were supportive of each other, respectful to nature, and did not mind being wet all the time a bit! Thank you, parents, for raising such capable kids!

The last program of the 2026 summer is a family camp, leaving for the Noire River in Quebec on August 23. Are you looking for an unforgettable adventure to end your summer? We invite you to join us for a week of canoeing, fishing, and wild blueberry gathering! We have room for one more family, and financial aid is available. Contact Misha for more info.

Get in touch

Recreational Trail Use Survey

This summer and fall, Mad River Path is conducting a recreational economic study through trail counters at five key locations as well as a trail use survey. The data from this study will help us to secure federal, state, and local funding for the completion of the Mad River Path. Please help this important community initiative by taking 3-5 minutes of your time to complete the survey!

CLICK HERE to take the survey if your primary residence is in the Mad River Valley.

CLICK HERE to take the survey if you are a visitor, non-resident, or second home/vacation home owner or renter.

Thank you!

Survey - MRV residents
Survey - visitors

Summer in Full Swing!

Summer Camps Hit the Trail Again

As summer matured, the second session of Our Side of the Mountains had a wonderful week of exploring in nature. The Peaks and Rivers expedition paddled the Winooski River and hiked the Long Trail on a six-day trip, led by Roberto Pupiales and Sophie Jo Frandsen from Kroka Expeditions.

This week, we are hosting Bikes, Swimming Holes and Canoes, a two-week bikepacking and paddling expedition from Kroka. They are the first group to utilize the newly established Cloud Water Farm Campsite. We are looking forward to Wild Things camp next week!

Clay Brook Bridge Update

We got a lot done in the past two weeks! MRP board member Jon Rickard and volunteers deconstructed the ramps and removed the railing and necessary decking. Jason Dunbar Excavation moved the bridge and restored the riverbank. Using the rubber-tired haul truck provided by Swan Sitework, the giant stones were moved from Riverside Park to the riverbank, minimizing the impact on the forest floor. Once the riverbank was restored, Vermont Techno Metal Post installed a helical pier foundation, and the bridge was moved back into place! The next steps in the work include Mad River Metalworks welding supports and braces, and extending the bridge frame by 20 feet. In the meantime, Jon, with the help of volunteers and MRP summer campers, is sorting through the pile of removed lumber, de-nailing and getting ready for decking, railing, and ramps. 

Riverside Park is re-opened! Thanks for your patience these last two weeks.

 
 

Thanks to 30 donors, we have reached a halfway fundraising mark, just as we have reached a halfway point in the construction process!

Please step up to help us raise the remaining $15,000 and complete the bridge!

Donate

Clay Brook Bridge Campaign Update

Thanks to our generous donors, we’re well on our way to saving the Clay Brook Bridge!

Jason Dunbar loads giant stones for the riverbank restoration into the specialized rubber-tracked haul truck provided by Swan Excavation.

The work has begun!

For the past two days, Jason Dunbar has been stabilizing the riverbank by carefully placing the giant stones. A specialized rubber-tracked haul truck is moving the stones from the Riverside Park parking lot to the bridge, minimizing the impact. We hope to begin installing the helical pier foundation by the end of the week.

Last week, with the help of 15 donors, we raised $4,000. That is a great start. Please help us raise the remaining $26,000 by making your donation now!

Donate to the Clay Brook Bridge Project

Why preserve the Clay Brook Bridge?

Sitting near the intersection of the Sugarbush Access Road and Rt 100, the Clay Brook Bridge acts as a crucial link between the town centers of Warren and Waitsfield. The bridge allows bikers and pedestrians to safely travel along the Route 100 corridor without being exposed to the dangerous traffic conditions at that intersection.

Now, the spring high water has shifted the river channel and undermined the south abutments to the point that a simple repair is no longer possible, putting us at immediate risk of losing this important bike and pedestrian bridge.

Thank you to our generous community for helping us preserve access to non-vehicular transportation and recreation opportunities. These are crucial pieces of infrastructure that support a vibrant and accessible Mad River Valley.

Donate

Urgent Community Request: Save the Clay Brook Bridge!

Erosion at the south abutment of the Clay Brook Bridge has undermined it significantly - now about to fall into the river.

We’re calling on our community to help save the Clay Brook Bridge!

The Kingsbury Greenway stretches from Riverside Park to Wabanaki Recreation Area in Warren. In 2025, the Mad River Path Implementation Committee designated this stretch of the path as the first section of the Active Transportation Corridor to be rebuilt for accessibility.

Through a grant from the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation and community fundraising, the committee raised over $40,000 to resurface the Path and stabilize the Clay Brook Bridge. We have hired Timber and Stone Trail Builders for the necessary accessibility improvements and Vermont Techno Metal Post for bridge stabilization.

In the meantime, the spring high water has shifted the river channel and undermined the south abutments to the point that a simple repair is no longer possible, putting us at immediate risk of losing this important bike and pedestrian bridge.  

Implementation Coordinator Jeff Doolittle has led an effort in the past weeks to create an engineering plan, obtain state permits, and hire contractors. We will stabilize the bank with carefully placed large stones, make a new helical pier abutment, and extend the bridge by 25 feet. This work will begin on July 13th.

WE NEED TO RAISE $30,000 IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS TO SAVE THE CLAY BROOK BRIDGE!

Donate Now

Kingsbury Bridge Mural with Mad River Valley Arts

The Kingsbury Greenway rehabilitation project has begun with a week-long mural painting under the Kingsbury Bridge. The beautiful mural was designed and executed by the Mad River Valley Arts students and staff during the class led by Allyson Biondo. In the words of MRVA director Samantha Talbot-Kelly, “The wall is a fusion of human/nature relationships – the big hands hold the soil for growth, the mural will flow with the River – the movement of the birds and other imagery will fly through the tunnel with the flow of the River.” Thank you, Mad River Valley Arts, for cooperating on this important public arts project! 

Alison Biondo and the Kingsbury Greenway underpass mural.

Our Side of the Mountains Week 1: Great weather, even better company

Our Side of the Mountains had a great first week of adventure camp with ten capable students and an amazing stretch of weather. The abundant early summer rain kept the Mad River up, allowing us to paddle in our backyard.

New off-grid campsite at Cloud Water Farm

We are creating a back/bike-packer campsite along the Mad River Path at Cloud Water Farm. In May we installed a composting toilet at the site in collaboration with a Yestermorrow Design/Build School Basic Carpentry course, and with help from board member Jon Rickard and AmeriCorps Service Member Abby Bell.

Abby Bell (L) and Jon Rickard (R) at the new composting toilet, built in partnership with Yestermorrow Design/Build School.

Mad River Trails Alliance: The Future of Valley Connectivity

The joining together of the Mad River Path and Mad River Riders is well underway. The work of creating a new organization takes place in work groups comprised of board members from both organizations. The work groups report to the merger committee. The committee recommends decisions to both boards for a vote. While sometimes tedious, this process ensures that everyone’s voices are heard. The new organization is called MAD RIVER TRAILS ALLIANCE, or MRTA, and its mission is: 

“We build and steward a vibrant and diverse trail system that connects our communities, supports a thriving economy, encourages outdoor recreation, and fosters appreciation for the natural world.”

Recently, both boards came together to develop a shared vision and values. A set of bylaws is being reviewed by an attorney. The new organization will be a chapter of VMBA (Vermont Mountain Bike Association) with membership options for biking and non-biking trail users. A new board will have an equal representation from both the Path and the Riders. An already strong trails committee will become more effective with the addition of a year-round Stewardship Coordinator staff position. The current names will be commemorated. The Mad River Path will become the name of the valley floor active transportation corridor connecting the villages, while Mad River Riders will continue on as the name for the youth riding programs the organization will offer.

We will have more updates throughout the year as the merger progresses. Thank you for your continued support of human-powered transportation and sustainable recreation!

-Mad River Trails Alliance Team and Merger Committee 

Only a few spots left in summer adventure programs!

The sun is out, and our summer adventures are filling up fast! We have just a couple of spaces left in our youth and family camps - don’t miss your chance to give your family or child the outdoor experience of a lifetime, building greater connections to the natural spaces around us and to each other.

  • Our Side of the Mountains day camp week 1, June 22 - 26 : FULL

  • Our Side of the Mountains day camp week 2, July 6 - 10 : 2 spots left

  • Peaks and Rivers overnight camp, July 12 - 17: FULL

  • The Wild Things overnight camp, July 27 - 31: FULL

  • Canadian family canoe trip: Limited availability, please reach out to misha@madriverpath.org to inquire.

Summer programs

Community canoe and e-bike lending

A reminder as the days get longer that Mad River Path has a couple of community resources for getting outside and engaging in non-vehicular travel or recreation.

  • Our canoe lending program allows you to borrow canoes for the day, weekend, school program, or other purpose. Read more about canoe lending on our website.

  • E-assist bikes are a great way to get around the valley, as they help you to get up our steep hills with a reasonable effort. They are a legitimate 3-season transportation with a formidable and convenient cargo-carrying capacity. They are a lot less expensive to own compared to cars, take up less space on the road, and you get to exercise and slow down while getting to your destinations! Community members are invited to borrow e-cargo bikes managed by the Mad River Path. You can take a bike for a spin, for a day, or sign it out for several days, to see if it fits!

Canoe lending
Cargo E-Bikes
RSVP for the kickoff

Mad River Path merch is here!

The Custom Burrow hoodie is the flagship product of Thuja, a local outdoor clothing company based in Williston. This high-quality, warm garment is made from 93% recycled polyester and 7% spandex and designed for the outdoors. It features an embroidered MRP logo on the front and our “Connecting Communities through Human-Powered Transportation” tagline on the sleeve.


Hoodies are $150 each. We have a sample hoodie in size 6 available at the Wait House; feel free to stop by to check it out and try it on. You can pay at pick-up with cash, card, check, or Venmo. Represent your local trails organization while staying comfortable on your next outdoor adventure!

Bushcraft & Friction Fire Workshop

Bushcraft & Friction Fire Skills with Dug North

Sat, Jun 27, 10 am - 4 pm, Roxbury, VT

Learn how to start a fire from scratch using bow drill techniques with Dug North of the History Channel show, ALONE. If you have ever wondered how people create fire by "rubbing sticks together" this class is for you. Even if you have never used a knife before you will learn everything you need to know to create fire with friction using the bow drill method.

You will learn to use a knife safely, how to prepare and start a campfire, a few essential knots, and all the steps to make and use a bow drill set to create fire.

Students will leave with their own bow drill set and the knowledge to use it. No prior knowledge is required. All tools and materials are provided.

Learn more

Meet Our New Implementation Coordinator, Jeff!

Summer adventures are just around the corner!

Our camps are filling up, and we just have a few spots left for summer adventures! In addition to day and overnight programs for youth, Mad River Path leads an all-ages family canoepacking trip each summer in Quebec.

The Ashuapmushuan River trip is a unique opportunity to explore a remote and pristine wilderness, canoeing down the river by day and sleeping under the stars at night. Led by experienced guides, you’ll learn the tips and tricks for planning the next trip for yourself or your family.

You’ll learn wilderness and canoeing skills, while creating closer bonds with yourself, nature, and those around you. Click the button below to read more and get in touch with any questions.

Learn more

Please help us welcome Jeff Doolittle as our new Implementation Coordinator!

We’re thrilled to have Jeff Doolittle on board as our Implementation Coordinator, who will work on funding and advocacy for the Mad River Path. Beginning with the Kingsbury Greenway, Jeff will coordinate the connections between existing segments of the Path.

Jeff joined the Mad River Path as Implementation Coordinator in May 2026.  He has been coming to the Mad River Valley to ski at Mad River Glen, hike the many trails, swim in the river and enjoy the area for 40 years, and he and his wife recently relocated from Connecticut to the Valley full-time. As an engineer for more than 34 years he worked on many projects that included new and improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and he realized how much these benefit communities.  He fully embraces active transportation projects and is excited to work on improving and completing the Mad River Path. 

Attitude of Gratitude Kickoff Event

Thursday, June 11, 6 pm at Big Picture

You are invited to the Attitude of Gratitude kick-off event at 6 PM on Thursday, June 11, at the Big Picture Theater!

Attitude of Gratitude for the Mad River Valley is a project of Conservation and Recreation Visioning (CRV), which includes 15 conservation and recreation organizations, culminating over three years of collaboration. The project comprises a Film, Recreational Ethics Principles, an Attitude of Gratitude Pledge, and activity-specific outdoor ethics guidelines.

During the event, we will watch the film, meet volunteer actors, sign the gratitude pledge, and celebrate the Valley's collaborative spirit and outstanding recreation and conservation landscape.

Food and refreshments will be provided. The event is free and appropriate for all ages; donations are accepted at the door.

Attitude of Gratitude

GMVS 2026 Service Day

This past Friday, we were excited to welcome students from Green Mountain Valley School for their annual day of service. Students split into small groups and worked on trail projects along the path, including installing a new boardwalk on Mill Brook Trail, a new kiosk at the Tremblay Pines picnic area, and new steps at West Greenway.


My group, consisting of two 11th-graders, their advisor, and I, spent the day at Yestermorrow Path and Loop making it more accessible and easy to navigate. The students were incredibly hardworking and eager to help, moving quickly from project to project without complaint as we installed a new water bar, cleared and moved several downed trees, raked sections of the path, and added new wayfinding signs to improve navigation for trail users.


One of the highlights of the day was spotting a barred owl along the trail. Both students in my group were international students and had never seen an owl in the wild before, which made the moment especially memorable. Throughout the day, we spent time talking about the surrounding forest and ecosystem, and one of the students later shared how much she appreciated learning about nature while working outside. Moments like these are a wonderful reminder of the Path’s mission to connect people with each other, their community, and the natural world around them. 


We are deeply grateful to everyone from GMVS who joined us for another great service day!

MRV Wellbeing Survey

Take the Survey

MRP Wins $600,000 Transportation Alternatives Grant!

Mad River Path Wins $600,000 Transportation Alternatives Grant for Millbrook Trail Extension

Thanks to a generour VTrans Transportation Alternatives grant, construction will begin on a 50 foot bike/pedestrian bridge and 500 feet of shared-use path between Millbrook bridge and Dugway Road.

This new bridge and path will provide needed safe and accessible bike and pedestrian transportation between businesses in downtown Waitsfield and key recreational sites by providing connectivity between existing paths in Waitsfield.

This project will involve:

1. Construction of 100 feet of shared-use path from existing Austin Walk trail to the southern end of bridge

2. Construction of a 50 foot bike/pedestrian bridge over Mill Brook paralleling Route 100’s bridge

3. Construction of 400 feet of shared-use path from the northern end of the bridge to Dugway Road

The need for this project was formally recognized in the Active Transportation Corridor Scoping Study, which received VTrans approval in 2025. Both paths and bridge will be built at the ADA standard. Thank you to VTrans for their continued support of the Mad River Path!

MRP Implementation Coordinator

Mad River Path is looking for an Implementation Coordinator to help build what the Mad River Valley has been working toward for decades: a safe, connected, off-road path linking every village from Warren to Middlesex.

This is a part-time, 20-hour-per-week, year-round position. The work spans grant writing, permitting, landowner easements, agency coordination, and project management. You will work alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. When the path is built, you will have helped make it happen.

Up to $35/hour plus a modest health care contribution. [Remote/hybrid details TBD.]

To apply: Please send a letter of interest and a resume to info@madriverpath.org. The interview process will start on April 13th. The deadline to submit applications is April 10th, and the projected start date is May 4th.

Full Job Description

One Week Away From the Mad River Triathlon!

We are less than a week away from an awesome day of welcoming Spring with our community. There’s still time to register, sign up to volunteer, or just come out to support your friends and local organizations. Don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets - we have a stacked lineup of raffle and silent auction prizes!

Three Mountain Cafe opens early on Sunday:

Following a brief mud season break, Three Mountain Cafe will open early at 7 am on Sunday, April 12th! Stop in to support a local business and fuel up for a day of fun!

Discounted Sauna Hour at Savu:

Savu Sauna at Madbush Falls is offering 20% off private sauna sessions for participants and their friends and families from 4/12-4/17 using the code MRTri20!

Use this private booking link for the 4-5 pm community session. 

Triathlon Sponsor Shoutout: VHB

Not only is VHB one of our rockstar returning sponsros, they are a foundational partner for many of the presenting organizations. The Mad River Path works closely with VHB on the scoping study and implementation plan for the Path, ensuring that our infrastructure is sustainable, resilient, and accessible.

Thank you to VHB for supporting community connection at the Triathlon! As you see the runners, bikers, paddlers, and skiers navigate the trails and pathways, know that VHB had a hand in making all these pathways possible.

See you out on the course!

Warren School Bike & Boat Sale - April 11

Need some last-minute gear for the Triathlon? The Warren School is having a bike, boat, and spring sports equipment sale on Saturday, April 11 from 9 am to 1 pm.

We're Hiring!

MRP Implementation Coordinator

Mad River Path is looking for an Implementation Coordinator to help build what the Mad River Valley has been working toward for decades: a safe, connected, off-road path linking every village from Warren to Middlesex.

This is a part-time, 20-hour-per-week, year-round position. The work spans grant writing, permitting, landowner easements, agency coordination, and project management. You will work alongside a dedicated team of staff and volunteers. When the path is built, you will have helped make it happen.

Up to $35/hour plus a modest health care contribution. [Remote/hybrid details TBD.]

To apply: Please send a letter of interest and a resume to info@madriverpath.org. The interview process will start on April 13th. The deadline to submit applications is April 10th, and the projected start date is May 4th.

Full job description

Triathlon Sponsor Shoutout: National Life Group

Our next triathlon sponsor shoutout goes to National Life Group!

National Life is, in their own words, a mission-driven and purpose-filled business. We’ve seen them walk that walk in support of many local organizations and causes, promoting greater connections between our vibrant communities. We are thrilled to welcome them as a major triathlon sponsor this year.

Thank you to National Life for your support of this exciting event in service to our Mad River Valley community and natural resources.

Calling all Mad River Triathlon volunteers!

Each year, the Mad River Triathlon relies on the generous help of over 80 volunteers from our community. Help us make this year’s Triathlon the best one yet and sign up for a volunteer slot along the way. We have slots for packet pickup the Saturday before the race, staffing aid stations, facilitating the raffle, and more!

Thank you volunteers!

Sign up to volunteer
Mad river Triathlon