Dorset residents to get free admission to state park
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Emerald Lake State Park is now the unofficial recreation area for Dorset residents. Swimmers take to the beach and then the water at the scenic area. 06/16/09 |
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By PATRICK McARDLE STAFF WRITER - Published: June 21, 2009
DORSET – In an agreement that state officials are saying is the first of its kind in Vermont, the town has made arrangements to pick up the tab for any residents who visit Emerald Lake State Park throughout the summer.
Dorset Town Manager Robert Gaiotti said he and the members of the Select Board were excited to have the plan ready in time for a big weekend like this one which includes Father's Day.
Under the plan, Dorset residents can come to the town offices and show some identification that indicates they live in town so they can receive a pass. Attendants at the state park will keep track of the number of Dorset residents who visit the park throughout the summer and the state will then bill the town for the number of visits.
"This way, if someone, say, wants to take a walk in the park on Tuesday, they can go right in instead of paying the $3," Gaiotti said.
Craig Whipple, director of state parks for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, said the state had never been approached by a town before looking to make such an arrangement but said he thought it was a "wonderful" idea.
"I think this shows that the town recognizes that the state parks' day-use area is a community recreation area. We believe this is a great step in making it more accessible to the community," he said.
Emerald Lake Park's 430 acres are located entirely within Dorset. It has hiking trails, camping and picnic facilities and, of course, the lake. Named for waters that appear green from above, Emerald Lake has a small beach and a snack bar. Canoes, kayaks and rowboats can be rented at the site but non-motorized watercrafts are not allowed on the lake which makes it popular with swimmers.
Whipple said the state will charge Dorset residents a reduced rate but one that is available to other high-volume users. State parks already sell a card for $20 dollars that allow 10 visits to the park and that same $2 per visit rate will be charged to the town.
Gaiotti said Dorset officials were looking for recreational options for residents because the town does not currently have a contract with Manchester. In past years, Dorset has contributed money toward Manchester's recreation department which allowed Dorset residents to use the facilities like those at Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park.
After a disagreement over the amount Dorset would contribute this year, Dorset withdrew its participation in Manchester's parks and recreation programs although Gaiotti said Dorset was not involved "right now."
Select Board members and Gaiotti have proposed a number of different options for residents this summer, including the use of facilities at the Long Trail School; the use of walking and hiking trails at two Dorset municipal parks, the Pinnacle and Cutler parks; and reimbursement for residents of the difference between resident and nonresident rates for use of Manchester's park and recreation programs.
"We were looking for, 'What can we put together that's simple and can come to fruition quickly,'" Gaiotti said.
Whipple said the agreement did not have an expiration date although both sides have agreed to evaluate it on a year-to-year basis. But he said he hopes it will continue because it will serve as both a funding mechanism for state parks and a way for residents to use park facilities without spending more than the taxes they've already paid.
"It's a situation where everybody wins and I hope other towns would take advantage of (this possibility)," he said.
patrick.mcardle@rutlandherald.com
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