Craftsbury Trails
Origin
Craftsbury Trails came together in November of 2018. A group of over 30 citizens met in the Town Hall in November of that year with the assistance of then NEK Collaborative Director Katherine Sims and developed a vision for moving forward. The varied group included town officials, trails organizations, businesses, land owners, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and others.
Priorities
The group agreed that outdoor recreation is one of the town’s main economic drivers and is essential to residents' well being and quality of life. A large working group hammered out Craftsbury Trails’ need and priorities including:
Improving and increasing off-road year-round trail use for recreation, primarily non-motorized with the exception of snowmobiles. This includes walking, hiking, running, biking (on and off road), cross country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding.
Making trails available from the town’s village areas so residents have trail access in their neighborhoods, and trail users can safely access local businesses without needing their cars as well as connecting the villages with off road options.
Being a coordinating entity that brings together, and does not compete with, or replace, the town’s numerous trails interests such as the Outdoor Center, Sterling College, the Wood Lot Committee, snowmobile club, etc.
Searching for grants and other opportunities to meet common goals and work with adjacent towns on regional trails opportunities.
Working closely with all public and private landowners when planning and building public trails. Landowners’ concerns come first. We are thankful for their generosity and sharing their property with others and expect trail stewardship and respect from all trail users.