WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vermont State Parks Expect Benchmark Year
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Waterbury, Vermont - May 17, 2009
The economic crisis has forced some states to cut back on parks and recreation programs. But with the summer season ready to begin with the Memorial Day holiday, Vermont is putting out a different message.
Little River campground in Waterbury is one of eight Vermont State Parks that have been open since May 1. And all the rest of the state's fifty parks are set to open Memorial Day weekend next week. It looks like the number of campers is headed up -- perhaps because of the slow economy.
"It's certainly true that people are looking for affordable recreational options, and in many cases they want something close to home. And that may account for the fact that our reservations are already up about ten percent over this time last year -- and we expect that trend to continue," said Forests, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Jason Gibbs.
Gibbs says unlike some other states, Vermont has not cut back on parks and recreation. In fact, the legislature and governor pumped in $5.6 million for capital improvements at state parks. A separate stimulus-based program is expected to create dozens of construction jobs with a program reminiscent of the depression-era civilian conservation corps.
In Burlington, the North Beach campground is beginning to fill up. The city's Parks and Recreation Department says 85 percent of the campers are from out of state, mostly from Quebec. Many have been coming for years, if not decades.
Serge Lalieerbe of Mascouche, Quebec, said, "In an area of around a one hundred-mile circle around Montreal, I think the best place is down here. That's what I said to everyone who has some camping equipment."
The Parks Department says it all ties in with the scenic surroundings and nearby services and shopping. And a concerted effort to put out the welcome mat. Maggie Leugers, a veteran supervisor of recreation programs in the city, said, "I also think customer service and relationships, people that keep coming back year after year. It's about people -- that they meet people that they meet, people that they know. And it's a really friendly state, and I think it really caters to tourism."
Vermont parks overall appear to be a bright spot, not only for tourism, but for the economically-stressed state budget.
The state maintains a web site with information at www.vtstateparks.com
Andy Potter - WCAX News
