Mt. Philo State Park Expands
by Nancy Wood

Vermont’s oldest state park is about to get bigger. Charles and Gwen Allmon are donating 69 acres of forest and meadow adjacent to Mt. Philo to the state. Approval was given by the Selectboard at a special meeting on Monday December 7, paving the way for the state’s acceptance of the gift.
The land runs east from Mt. Philo Road along the northern boundary of Mt. Philo State Park, which was created in 1924. It will add about 40% to the size of the 168-acre park. The Allmons are keeping 53 acres they own on the west side of Mt. Philo Road.
The Allmons say they have been summer residents of Thompson’s Point since 1956. They purchased the 122-acre property on Mt. Philo Road in 1975 from Romeo Bolduc, who started farming there in 1945. The Allmons, planning to build a new home someday, eventually tore down the old house and barn, and recently invested in a new road.
Reached by phone at their home in Bethesda, Maryland, Charles Allmon said, “It’s a great view from up there – 240 degrees – much better than from the park. I said to Gwen last summer, why don’t we give it to the state? Millions of people will see it over the next 100 years.” They invited Governor Jim Douglas to come see it, and, according to the Allmons, he arrived the next day.
Governor Douglas worked with the Allmons to secure the donation. “The Allmons’ generous donation to Mt. Philo State Park adds nearly 70 spectacular acres to one of our most popular – and our very first – state park,” he said.  “Many generations of Vermonters, and visitors alike, will benefit from the expanded recreational opportunities and enjoy the inspiration of the tremendous views of the Champlain Valley that this parcel provides. Vermont is very grateful, indeed.”
KateWillard, Land Division Section Chief of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, told the Selectboard that one of the benefits to the state is the wellhead at the bottom of the property that might be usable by the park. Ed Stone asked if it would also be available to the public. “People in town want a source of potable water…it could be a possible future benefit to the town.” Willard said she didn’t know. She indicated there would be a planning process before any decisions are made about the management of the property. According to Charles Allmon, the well is 450 feet deep and produced about 100 gallons per minute when he had it drilled after the old farm well went dry.
Selectboard approval is required because a gift of land to the state removes it from the taxable Grand List. However, the state will make annual Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) as it does now for the State Park.
Charles Russell asked if the property had been appraised yet and how much the payments would be. Kate Willard gave an estimate of $4,152, assuming the appraised value per acre is similar to the appraisal of the park. This is less than the $9,394 that the Allmons paid in taxes in 2009, but Willard pointed out that this will not reduce town revenues. Payments by the state are in lieu of municipal taxes only, and the state will also continue to pay the same amount per student for education that the town receives now.

Eddie Krasnow, who lives next to the Allmons’ property said, “I am truly impressed with the Allmons’ generosity. I know they really loved that land. For the 30-plus years we have lived here, the Allmons have been good neighbors, and passing the responsibility of stewardship over to the state will guarantee this land will benefit many.”
The Charlotte Land Trust began discussions with the Allmons three years ago as part of its Mt. Philo Initiative. Board Chair Frances Foster said, “We are pleased that the ultimate goal of these efforts will soon be realized.” She added, “The land represents a significant increase to the park and will buffer it from future development on the northwest side, an area which is very visible from Mt. Philo Road.”
The Allmons expect that the transfer to the state will be finalized before the end of the year.
Based on research by the Charlotte Land Trust, as many as 28,546 visitors are checked in at the gate during the park’s open season from Memorial Day through October 15. An estimated additional 15,000 visitors make use of the park after hours and during the season when the park is closed, bringing the total number of visitors to over 40,000 annually.
It is anticipated that the state will open up more hiking trails in this new area. The park provides a home to a variety of plant and animal life. Raptor sightings from its summit are common with annual reports of osprey, bald and golden eagles, as well as several species of hawks and peregrine falcons.
The state ecologist has identified various rare and uncommon plant species on the mountain such as ginseng, Douglas’ knotweed, and spiral-whitlow grass. During a summer picnic atop the mountain, the Vermont Entomological Society identified 23 different types of butterflies.