Smoke-free Zones Proposed for Some Park Areas and Other Proposed Rule Changes for This Year

Every year or so, we review park Rules & Regulations and make changes as needed. Part of the process is soliciting feedback from you on proposed changes. We would like to share with you the proposed changes for this year, and let you know how you can comment and give us feedback.

The main rule change for this year is a proposal to designate smoke-free zones at playgrounds and some busy day use areas in the parks. This is in direct response from requests from park visitors, and known health concerns.Smoking would still be permitted elsewhere in the parks, except for these specifically designated areas.

Another proposed change is to increase the fees for Burton Island waterfront lean-to's from $25/per night to $35/per night. Dock fees would go up 25 cents per foot, and a $2.00 ferry rate for day users would be established. Because Burton Island is,well, an island, it is more expensive to operate than our mainland parks, and we hope these increases will offset some of the rising operating costs.

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Other proposed pricing changes include rental fees for Kingsland Bay event facilities, which will now include per person day use fees and rubbish removal. We are also establishing fees for the newly rennovated Elmore Beach House and the Kill Kare Hotel (a.k.a. Rocky Point House) buildings. Camping at Green River Reservoir will be $5/per person/per night with a $15 minimum. Prime sites at Green River will be $6/per person/per night with an $18 minimum.

Otherwise, the rest of the changes are just removing unused rules and correcting language.

If you like you can read the entire annotated proposed rule change.

We invite your comments. You can send them via email to craig.whipple@state.vt.us; or via snail mail to Craig Whipple, Director of State Parks, 103 South Main Street, 10 South, Waterbury, VT  05671.

You are also invited to attend a public hearing to discuss these rules that will be held Friday, June 1st, 5:30 PM, at the Agency of Natural Resources District Office at 111 West Street, Essex Junction, VT  05452.

Thank you for your support of the parks and we look forward to seeing you out there soon!