History

In 1994, the Vermont Legislature formally recognized the value of trails for recreation and transportation by passing the Vermont Trails System Act. In addition to making funds available for development and maintenance of trails, the legislation also established the Vermont Trails System. "In order to provide access to the use and enjoyment of outdoor areas of Vermont, to conserve and use the natural resources of this state for healthful and recreational purposes, and to provide transportation from one place to another, it is declared to be the policy of this state to provide the means for maintaining and improving a network of trails to be known as the Vermont Trails System. The Vermont Trail System shall consist of those individual trails recognized by the Agency of Natural Resources with the advice of the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council."

• The trail becomes part of a larger system that, in its entirety, is important to recreation, transportation, quality of life and economy in our state.
• Free promotion of trail and organization through distribution of Vermont Trails System list.
• Trails that are part of the VTS enjoy an added level of liability protection under 10 V.S.A. Section 448: "No public or private owned land which is part of the Vermont Trails System shall be liable for any property damage or personal injury sustained by any person using these trails unless public or private owner intentionally inflicts damage or injury."

Eligibility/Criteria

In order to become part of the Vermont Trails System, trails must meet the following criteria:

• Only completed trails within the boundary of the State of Vermont will be eligible for inclusion in the Vermont Trails System. 
• Applicants to the Vermont Trails System must have obtained written landowner permission from private landowners (10 VSA Section 444) or, in the case of publicly owned lands, a letter of support from the relevant public agency responsible for managing the lands in question. There must be a responsible entity for managing and maintaining the trail.  The applicant must tell who is responsible for managing and maintaining the trail and explain the long-term maintenance plan for this trail.  (Labor, materials, timeline and how it will be funded.)
• The trail shall be consistent with statewide goals, objectives or priorities identified in the Vermont Trails and Greenways Plan (see SCORP – Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan Chapter 4, 2005-2009). 
• The trail must have local, regional, or statewide significance.  The trail should provide a linkage or lead to future linkage to other trails, bicycle-pedestrian paths, community centers, scenic corridors, or other natural, cultural, historical and recreation areas in an area to add further significance to a trail.  When feasible, the trail must connect to a regional or state wide trail or be part of a regional network of trails. Trails connecting schools, community centers and/or recreation areas are also eligible.
• The applicant must provide evidence of public support for the trail with at least two letters of support.                  
• The applicant must describe how the trail will further the education, safety awareness and/or environmental stewardship of public users of the trail.
• A detailed map must accompany the application to the Vermont Trails System.

VTS Incentives

• An award certificate and logo for signage/recognition, 
• Recognition at an awards ceremony with the Commissioner, Governor or Trails and Greenways Council,
• Inclusion on the list of VTS trails on the State of Vermont and Trails and Greenways Council websites,
• Promotion through the VTS and its member list,
• Additional landowner protection from 10 VSA Section 448,
• Being part of a larger system of trails that is vital to the recreation, transportation, quality of life and economy of the state.

Review Committee

The Commissioner of the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation shall appoint a review committee (at this time the Vermont Trails and Greenways Operations Committee) representing all trails, (non-motorized and motorized), an at-large member, and an FPR representative.  This committee will be familiar with the application process and review criteria and provide a comprehensive review of the VT Trails System applications.

Application Process

Applications will be received by January 1st.  The committee will first review applications and, if necessary, hold a meeting where applicants are invited to present information about their trail.  Additional council members may be invited to attend the meeting as deemed appropriate. The committee's recommendations will be forwarded to the Commissioner for questions and comments.  Any additional information needed will be recycled back through the review committee and applicants.  Following the committee review process, the Commissioner will reply to the applicants (and send copies to the review committee) with his/her decision.

Successful applicants to the Vermont Trails System will be recognized at one of the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council’s quarterly meetings OR at a special event held in June on National Trails Day OR during the Governor’s Conference on Recreation.

Maintaining the Listing

Members of the Vermont Trails System will be asked to complete a confirmation form approximately every 5 years to evaluate the continued eligibility of the trail.  The re-evaluation process will also confirm continued land owner permission as well as any pertinent updates such as changes in trail use or alignment. Trails system members who do not submit the confirmation form by the date determined, or trails found to be ineligible, will be removed from the listing at the discretion of the Commissioner and/or upon the recommendation of the Vermont Trails and Greenways Council.

VTS application

Vermont Trail System Members