2019 was another productive year for the Mad River Path (MRP). A major focus on Heart of the Valley trail improvements and additions continued, while maintenance along all path and trail sections stayed strong. MRP is financially stable and stayed within our FY19 budget after spending just under $70,000. We are maintaining our operating reserve, which is important for long-term stability and can be used for unexpected expenses, opportunistic projects, capacity building, and to fill short-term unpredictable gaps. The charts at the end of this report illustrate MRP’s 2019 revenues and expenses. MRP transitioned from a part-time to a full time executive director this year, which will help the Path accelerate new path and trail sections. In addition to the executive director, MRP employees a seasonal trail manager for about 500 hours each year from about May through October. We would like to note that the work we accomplish cannot be done without the generous and enthusiastic Mad River Valley community. More than 250 individuals/households and 90 businesses supported MRP in 2019 with financial gifts. Plus, dozens of individuals contributed to our successes through volunteering, in-kind contributions, and donated construction materials.
Below is a list of projects and other accomplishments from 2019.
On-the-ground Projects:
Completed the Carroll Road boardwalk and surrounding site work with partners
Upgraded a bridge on the Sugarbush Snowmaking Pond Loop
Worked with Crosspoint to paint new crosswalk next to Taste Place, creating a safer pedestrian crossing
Successfully petitioned VTrans to paint new crosswalk from Carroll Road Boardwalk to the Route 100 sidewalk, thanks to collaborative work with MRV Planning District, the Town of Waitsfield, and public comments
Constructed a new public trail from The Swanson Inn to the Mill Brook Trail
Installed more than a dozen new trailhead kiosks in partnership with the MRV Trails Collaborative
Removed enough invasive honey suckle from the Hosford Highway Boardwalk wetland to fill a small bus
Completed the knotweed eradication pilot project on the Austin Parcel with the Town of Waitsfield, Friends of the Mad River, and Intervale Conservation Nursery
Restored and improved the gazebo on the West Greenway
Established an extension of Wait’s Way from the Route 100 sidewalk to behind the General Wait House parking lot
Began winter maintenance program for the Heart of the Valley trail in Irasville
Planning & Assessments:
Determined priority maintenance and path/trail resilience projects for 2020
Mapped new trails behind the Big Pic and began partnership with private landowner; applied for state and local funds to construct these trails with downtown access. Note: this is phase 1 to connect downtown with existing trail networks
Created public survey to gain a better understanding of the community’s wants and needs related to the Path and trails; survey results will be available in early 2020
Continued discussions with landowners to complete important gaps in the Warren to Moretown Path
Met with partners to strengthen collaborations on trail building and maintenance in the MRV
