Out-Doors
by Elizabeth Bassett
Summer Adventures
June 17, 2010, page 11.....

Mt. Philo State Park
Coming soon: a public celebration to thank Charles and Gwen Allmon, seasonal residents of Thompson’s Point, for their extraordinary gift to the park of 97 acres. The Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation will announce a date shortly.
Mt. Philo is Vermont’s oldest state park. Established in 1924, the park perches atop a 968’ sheepback mountain with expansive views of the Champlain Valley, Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. There are ten camping sites, including three lean-tos and an enclosed building for private gatherings.

What lies ahead for the acreage donated to the park by the Allmons?
The department, in concert with the public, will develop a long-range plan. Regional Manager Maria Mayer says, “A multi-discipline stewardship team that includes a recreation specialist, forester, ecologist, and biologist, will prepare a baseline survey of resources on the property. Then we will invite the public to participate in a very interactive and informal process. We found that asking members of the public to speak for two minutes before a large audience was not particularly effective. The experts will display large photos and maps of wildlife, flora and geology. Participants are given sticky notes to place on tablets around the room. Facilitators work with small groups that encourage a thoughtful exchange.”
Mayer continues, “There is a great deal of interest in the Mt. Philo property so we anticipate a rich and full conversation.”
The department has a backlog of projects and, like all state agencies, is subject to budget constraints. “I can tell you this process will not begin in 2010.We hope it will be on the calendar for 2011,” Mayer says.
Meanwhile, enjoy Mt. Philo. There are no trails or other improvements on the Allmon property, but it is now owned by the state and accessible to the public. Also to be enjoyed are dozens of other exceptional state park properties across Vermont. Daily fees are $4 for adults, $2 for children 4-13, and free for those three and under. Buy an individual season pass for day use at all parks for $25 – a great value. A vehicle pass, for all seat-belted passengers, is $80, and a 10-visit punch card is $20. The Green Mountain Passport is available from town clerks for those disabled by military service and Vermonters 62 years of age or older. The passport costs $2 and allows day use of state parks for life.

Depot Theatre, Westport, New York
For more than 30 years, the Depot Theatre has entertained audiences in its converted railroad station theater. Combine the outing with a ride on the Charlotte/Essex ferry and a picnic and voila, a great summer adventure! The season runs from July 9 to September 19, with five mainstage productions and four Tonight Only performances. All tickets for the latter cost just $12. Single seats for mainstage shows are $22. Season subscription packages offer a selection of seats and discounts for seniors and matinees. More information at depottheatre.org.

Green Mountain Club Outings
As it marks a century of the Long Trail in 2010, the Green Mountain Club celebrates by leading guided day hikes along the trail’s entire 272-mile length. This Relay Hike, from July 17 through August 15, will pass through our area in early August. Check greenmountainclub.org for details.

Rokeby
A National Historic Landmark in Ferrisburgh, Rokeby tells the story of Quaker abolitionist farmers. The Robinsons harbored runaway slaves at their farm during the 1830s and 1840s. Family correspondence contains the names of several fugitives.
The farm and museum record two centuries of agriculture, sheep husbandry and family life in the house and 90 surrounding acres. Tours of the fully furnished house depart at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Eight outbuildings, farmstead gardens and walking trails are available, with optional audiotape, for self-guided tours. The brochure, “How A Farm Becomes A Forest,” is a great synopsis of forest succession.
Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 and under. See Rokeby.org for more information.

Bike Ferry
The Bike Ferry, operated by nonprofit Local Motion, will run every weekend in July and August and Labor Day weekend, doubling its availability this season. The ferry completes the 14-mile Island Line Trail, which connects Burlington and South Hero via the Burlington and Colchester bike paths, over the Colchester Causeway (a former railroad bed) to Allen Point Fish and Wildlife Access in South Hero.
Local sponsors are teaming up with Local Motion to expand the service. Suggested donations to ride the ferry are $6 round-trip for Local Motion members and $10 for non-members. Ferry volunteers are needed for each weekend, to serve as deckhands, greeters and support staff. For information about volunteering on the ferry contact Captain Brian Costello at brian@localmotion.org or 316-6382.

The Complete Guide to Charlotte Walks
The July 15 issue of The Charlotte News will include a list of walks on public property in town, including driving directions, parking availability, status of pets, approximate distance, difficulty and brief descriptions.