About the Friends of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail

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The Friends of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, Inc. (FriendsLVRT) was chartered and incorporated in the early summer of 2006, following a meeting in March 2006 by The Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition to bring together people interested in supporting the development of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (LVRT). The motivation for these interests originated in an act passed by the Vermont General Assembly in June of 2003 (Section 17 of Act 56) directing that the State owned railroad corridor comprised of over 93 miles of rail bed running from St. Johnsbury to Swanton, Vermont be converted to a multi-use recreational path / trail that shall be leased to and managed by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. (VAST). Currently VAST is working under a Management Plan with Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) to make this railroad to recreation trail conversion. (continued...)

A section of the trail completed in East Hardwick . Photo courtesy of Alan Robertson

A Message from Heidi Krantz, President of the Friends of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.

Spring and summer strengthen the desire to get out and enjoy the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail for non-motorized users, and while we’re still not able to travel from end to end, we should celebrate the progress that is being made on this project. Now more than ever we need to build the partnerships that will see this project to the end and I’m pleased to say that the Friends, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail Committee (LVRTC) and the Trail Advisory Committee (LAC) have been working closely to coordinate efforts.
We hosted a successful series of public presentations this spring – in St. Johnsbury, Morristown and Bakersfield. Alan Robertson, an engineer hired by VAST shared his slides and aninformative update on the status of the project – this is available this website.
The LVRTC is looking for optimistic and enthusiastic people to work on key committees – anyone is welcome – look for details here.
The LVRTC has sent information to all of the Towns along the trail route in hopes of initiating plans for trailheads and getting local folks excited about some hands on projects. Ask your Select Board if you haven’t seen anything about this locally – Alan Robertson will be visiting towns soon to move this effort forward.
It’s time to renew your membership with the Friends, and while we don’t have a finished trail to use at this time, please remember that good things come to those who wait – and this trail will be fabulous when it comes together – but we – and by we I mean the Friends and the LVRTC need your help - so please join the Friends and volunteer to help with a committee. Together we can make this dream trail a reality.