By Josh O’Gorman
STAFF WRITER | August 10,2013
STAFF WRITER | August 10,2013
Rutland Herald
KILLINGTON — A proposal by the town could
offer improved access to a stretch of the Ottauquechee River dubbed
“Killington’s Little Amazon.”
During a recent meeting, the Select Board unanimously voted to support a plan for the town to receive two parcels of land from Killington Resort to create put-in anud take-out areas for kayakers who wish to paddle a scenic 2.5-mile stretch of river running parallel to Route 4.
“Compared to other kayak venues, it offers something very different, which is a narrow, winding river with wildlife views, as opposed to just being on an open pond or an open lake,” said Select Board Chairman Chris Bianchi when comparing the river run to other local paddling spots, such as Kent Pond.
Fellow board member Patty McGrath, who owns the Inn at Long Trail, also supported the addition of a summer outdoor activity.
“As a lodge owner, it will be good to be able to say there is a kayak trail,” McGrath said. “It’s a good way to promote the area, plus to say we have other things to do.”
The plan, a collaboration between the town’s Trails Committee and Killington Resort, would include constructing a boat launch and a small parking area on Rabeck Mountain Road, as well as a take-out area on Mission Farm Road.
When taking out, kayakers would park their vehicles in the Skyeship parking lot on Route 4 and carry their boats along a gravel path from Mission Farm Road.
Killington Resort owns both parcels of land where the put-in and take-out areas would be located. Town Manager Seth Webb said the town had discussed the possibility of Killington Resort giving the town an easement to use the property, with the resort expressing reservations because of insurance and potential liability.
Instead, Killington Resort is willing to deed the land to the town at a cost of $1. Removing the property from the tax rolls would result in a total loss of tax revenue of roughly $2,000, Webb said.
The plan also includes a trail along the kayak run, which takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours to paddle. The Pasta Pot restaurant has agreed to maintain the trail.
Mark Bragg, owner of Kayak King Kayak Rentals, which operates out of Base Camp Outfitters on Route 4, looked forward to increased access to the river.
“You can’t believe how close you are to Route 4 and you never even know it,” said Bragg. “It’s a beautiful run. You’re sheltered by trees from the road and all you see are mountains on both sides. It’s Killington’s Little Amazon.”
josh.ogorman
@rutlandherald.com
During a recent meeting, the Select Board unanimously voted to support a plan for the town to receive two parcels of land from Killington Resort to create put-in anud take-out areas for kayakers who wish to paddle a scenic 2.5-mile stretch of river running parallel to Route 4.
“Compared to other kayak venues, it offers something very different, which is a narrow, winding river with wildlife views, as opposed to just being on an open pond or an open lake,” said Select Board Chairman Chris Bianchi when comparing the river run to other local paddling spots, such as Kent Pond.
Fellow board member Patty McGrath, who owns the Inn at Long Trail, also supported the addition of a summer outdoor activity.
“As a lodge owner, it will be good to be able to say there is a kayak trail,” McGrath said. “It’s a good way to promote the area, plus to say we have other things to do.”
The plan, a collaboration between the town’s Trails Committee and Killington Resort, would include constructing a boat launch and a small parking area on Rabeck Mountain Road, as well as a take-out area on Mission Farm Road.
When taking out, kayakers would park their vehicles in the Skyeship parking lot on Route 4 and carry their boats along a gravel path from Mission Farm Road.
Killington Resort owns both parcels of land where the put-in and take-out areas would be located. Town Manager Seth Webb said the town had discussed the possibility of Killington Resort giving the town an easement to use the property, with the resort expressing reservations because of insurance and potential liability.
Instead, Killington Resort is willing to deed the land to the town at a cost of $1. Removing the property from the tax rolls would result in a total loss of tax revenue of roughly $2,000, Webb said.
The plan also includes a trail along the kayak run, which takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours to paddle. The Pasta Pot restaurant has agreed to maintain the trail.
Mark Bragg, owner of Kayak King Kayak Rentals, which operates out of Base Camp Outfitters on Route 4, looked forward to increased access to the river.
“You can’t believe how close you are to Route 4 and you never even know it,” said Bragg. “It’s a beautiful run. You’re sheltered by trees from the road and all you see are mountains on both sides. It’s Killington’s Little Amazon.”
josh.ogorman
@rutlandherald.com
No comments:
Post a Comment