"People are different on a path. On a town sidewalk strangers may make eye contact, but that’s all. On a path like this [Stowe, VT] they smile, say hello, and pet one another’s dogs. I think every community in America should have a greenway." –Anne Lusk, Vermont greenway advocate, 1990

How many times have you heard, “We’re so lucky to live in Vermont.” The scenic beauty around us and the quality of life make Vermont a special place. People come from around the world to enjoy what surrounds us daily.

We are particularly fortunate to live in Charlotte. We have Mount Philo State Park affording us a robust hike to the top and spectacular, panoramic views as a reward. We have a beautiful beach on Lake Champlain with crystal-clear water and breathtaking sunsets. And nestled in between is our quaint, vibrant town center where we can grab a bite to eat, congregate for the Town Party, or book browse at the library.

One of the missions of the Charlotte Trails Committee is to connect these outstanding locations – to provide a trail that will allow us to walk, run, bike, snowshoe or cross country ski from one point of interest to another within our town. And so the Trails Committee is, and has been, working on a trail known as the Charlotte Recreation Path since the late 1990s.

The Charlotte Recreation Path would be the first non-motorized transportation link in our town. The path would link Mount Philo State Park to the town center and through to the beach. Along the way people could also have access to places such as the ball fields, the Berry Farm, the Bloomfield Farm CSA on Greenbush Road, the Senior Center and the train station, to name a few.

The Charlotte Recreation Path would provide our town with a fabulous way to experience the special places in Charlotte without having to drive. Imagine a path where you can meet your friends and neighbors out for a walk or ski, where people of all generations can get out and enjoy our town – exercise, camaraderie and scenic beauty – all for free, within Charlotte and to destinations of interest.

The Trails Committee recently submitted a grant application to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation for $20,000. If received, that money would go toward beginning construction on a one-mile stretch of the Charlotte Recreation Path from Route 7 through Champlain Valley Cohousing to Greenbush Road. The grant requires a match from the town; the Selectboard has agreed to provide matching funds ($5,000) should we receive the grant.

But more funds are needed to complete the one-mile stretch. The Trails Committee is proposing funding from the Town of Charlotte for $25,000 a year for three years. This request will be brought before all of us at Town Meeting as Articles 7 and 8. These funds will go toward design, development and construction of the Charlotte Recreation Path.

The Trails Committee will be submitting more grant applications to try to leverage the town money into much more through state and federal grants. The town currently has trail easements over significant portions of the proposed Recreation Path, which is at a point where construction of this one-mile segment can begin.

In a time when using bikes or cross country skis rather than cars to head to the library for a book is helping to save our planet, when finding activities to do with friends and family that are free are important to our wallets, and when we know that an active lifestyle leads to better health, the Charlotte Recreation Path would be a perfect way to enjoy our town treasures and provide a green, multi-generational connection now and for future generations.

"Europeans are redesigning entire cities to accommodate people on foot, benefiting mind, body, and spirit in the process. It’s high time we took note." –Zane Smith, Rambling: "Will Americans Do It?" American Forests

The Charlotte Recreation Path Quick Facts

• Non-motorized link between Mt. Philo, Town Center and Beach
• Takes advantage of existing trails and easements
• Current work on 1 mile segment between Route 7 and Greenbush Road
• Estimated cost to complete 1-mile segment - $80,000
• Budget Request for 2010-2013 - $25,000 per year for 3 years
• Annual Tax Rate – approximately one quarter of a cent
• Tax on Property Value: $250,000 = $6.75, $500,000 = $13.50

Submitted by Laurie Thompson
Member, Charlotte Trails Committee