Parks
Winooski Valley Park District Park Properties
The Park District manages 16 parks located in our 7 community towns. View the map or use the chart below to find the park nearest you. Click on the park for more information. Click here for a full-size map (.pdf). To see available activities by park, go to our Park Activities page. To see available facilities by park, go to our Park Facilities page.
Park |
Description |
|
A 182 acre pond and surrounding forest in Colchester, situated within a large tract of contiguous forest. A 2.5 mile walking trail circles the pond.
|
|
A 55 acre park at the mouth of the Winooski River encompassing several diverse ecosystems and a half mile of natural sandy beaches.
|
|
A 148 acre nature preserve along the Winooski River with a variety of swampy ecosystems.
|
|
A 15 acre park in Burlington covered by pond and marsh, featuring ancient limestone dolomite caves.
|
|
A small five acre park in Essex with shade trees and picnic trees.
|
|
A large park along the Winooski River in Burlington featuring numerous wildlife species and elevated boardwalk trails, as well as Ethan and Fanny Allen's restored 1787 farmhouse.
|
|
A 288 acre park in Colchester with floodplains, meadows, and upland hardwood forests offering hiking and cross country trails.
|
|
A quiet spot near the mouth of the Winooski River, next to the Burlington Bike Path, with a nice grassy spot with tables surrounded by shade trees.
|
|
A 27.5 acre park in South Burlington featuring several diverse ecosystems, including Winooski River frontage, and a 1.75 mile loop trail.
|
|
Formerly a beaver pond, Old Mill Park is now an open meadow landscape in Jericho with Clay Brook running through the middle.
|
|
Salmon Hole Park lies at the bottom of the Winooski River Falls on the Burlington-Winooski border, while the Riverwalk runs from that spot along the river all the way to Riverwalk Park on Intervale Road.
|
|
Winooski Gorge is an eleven acre natural area in South Burlington featuring a deep river gorge and a Limestone Bluff Cedar-Pine Forest.
|
|
Woodside Natural Area in Essex consists of a diversity of habitats, with forest and a beaver-impacted wetlands at its center.
|
Park Rules and Regulations
Hours and Fees - The parks are free and open to the public from dawn to dusk year round
Motor Vehicles - NO off-road vehicles are allowed. Motor vehicles are allowed only on designated roads and in parking areas.
Refuse - Park visitors are responsible for carrying out their own garbage or for using the trash barrels where provided. Please leave no trace and leave the area the same way you found it.
Conduct - Noise (music/horns) should be kept at a volume which does not disturb other park visitors or people living in the area. Please do not deface or damage any signs, tables, or plants while at the parks.
Fires - Applicable at the Ethan Allen Homestead only: no open fires. Park visitors may make use of grills in designated picnic areas and must supply their own fuel. All fires must be extinguished properly.
Hunting - No hunting, shooting, or trapping. Do not harm wildlife.
Pets at the Parks
In order to protect wildlife, dogs are welcome only when on a leash. Owners must immediately clean up wastes.
We request that you keep your pet on a leash and on trails for the following reasons, among others not listed:
Wildlife can adapt to the "predictable disturbance" of people and dogs when they are on trails better than when they are not on trails
Wildlife are more often frightened by dogs that wander off trails
Dog disturbances can churn up soil and cave in small mammal holes
Low-lying vegetation can be easily damaged, resulting in less food and habitat for animals and birds
Dogs may disturb rabbits, fox, otter, mink, and deer as they care for their offspring
Visitors will be more likely to observe a greater wildlife diversity if they keep their pets leashed and on-trail
