New Web site offers guide to Vermont trails
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: June 3, 2009
Having added Addison County to its online trail map, a nonprofit Web site is turning its attention to Rutland County.
The Local Motion Web site — www.localmotion.org — offers an interface not unlike Google maps showing trails, trailheads and trail features over a topographical map. Entries for each trail offer descriptions and user comments.
Chapin Spencer, executive director of Local Motion, announced Tuesday the completion of Phase II of the site's expansion, which added Addison and Grand Isle to its Chittenden County offerings, bringing the total number of trails up to 113.
He also announced the beginning of Phase II, in which the site will add Rutland, Washington, Orange and Windsor counties.
"By next year this time, we expect to have 250 trails representing half of Vermont," he said.
Spencer said Local Motion partnered with several local organizations in gathering information on Addison County trails and is already recruiting volunteers in Rutland County through the Rutland Area Physical Activity Coalition
"We're going to provide the technical expertise," Spencer said. "They're going to collect the data."
Michael Smith, a RAPAC member, said Rutland County saw a similar project to set up a trail database last year, but the effort fizzled because of data-gathering difficulties. He said what Local Motion does is exactly what he wanted to accomplish.
"It's a beautiful interface," he said. "What we're looking for is a very deep database of information about every recreation point in Rutland County. Is there a parking lot? Is there food and water available? Is there a fee? Can you bring your dog? Is it good for children?"
Smith said the database will also incorporate GPS data to help people find trailheads.
"In Vermont, there are some pretty obscure places to get to," he said.
Smith said the Web site serves as a resource not only for newcomers or tourists in the area, but also for locals who might not know all the region has to offer. He even suggested such a database could help lure young people back to the state.
"I've had a lot of real estate agents interested in this because it's a great selling point for Vermont," he said.
Spencer said the founders of Local Motion decided five years ago there needed to be a central place for information on trails. He said the Web site is funded by memberships as well as a corporate sponsorship. He said Phase IV of the expansion will seek to take in the entire state.
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com