Summary
Middlebury has six town forests, the two most popular being Chipman Hill and Battell Woods. Middlebury is interested in exploring the connectivity between these individual parcels to create regional recreation opportunities and a stronger connection to downtown. The goal of this planning effort is to address current conflicts among users, improve existing infrastructure, access, and user experience while protecting natural resources.
Background
Middlebury (population 8,530) focused on three of its six town forest blocks: Battell Woods, Chipman Hill, and Means Woods. These three blocks are the most heavily used and are connected by the Trail Around Middlebury. The town is interested in further developing the connectivity between these individual parcels to create regional recreation opportunities and a stronger connection to downtown, all of which are within a mile of the village green.
Battell Woods is a 95-acre block with a 2.63-mile network of trails open to all non-motorized uses. It is very popular with mountain bikers. It is primarily an old hardwood forest.
Chipman Hill is a 132-acre block. It is very steep and was once the college ski hill. Today, it is a dense forest featuring roughly five miles of trails that are popular with hikers and mountain bikers (who also build and maintain the trails). It has multiple scenic vistas that are popular for picnics.
Strategies to Implement Vision
As a result of the planning process, the town generated a robust action plan matrix. Action steps include:
- Existing trail assessment
- Formalize organizational and decision-making structure
- Signage and maps
- Management plans
- Access paths and connections
- Leverage partnerships
Words of Wisdom
“We view the creation of improved recreational opportunities in our town as a benefit not just to the Middlebury population but also as a highly effective way to attract outside users outside our community, thereby providing an important boost for our local economy.” Brian Carpenter, Selectboard Chair