MRV Recreation Hub
Explore • Connect • Protect
The Recreation Hub will bring a sense of connectivity, cohesion, and identity to the Valley’s people, trails, and businesses.
In March 2022, the MRV Recreation District was awarded a $408,019 grant from VOREC (Vermont Outdoor Recreation & Economic Collaborative) Community Grant program—the largest award in this grant cycle—to create the MRV Recreation Hub.
The Hub brings together local recreation, municipal and community partners to transform the recreational experience in the heart of the Mad River Valley through a multi-use recreational, commercial, and community center that creates opportunities to “Explore, Connect and Protect.”
Project Partners include: MRV Planning District, Mad River Riders, Mad River Path Association, the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Mad River, Waitsfield, Warren and Waitsfield Conservation Commissions and the Town of Waitsfield.
Project Overview
The Mad River Recreation Hub project is focused on trail connectivity and accessibility in the Mad River Valley and beyond. The Hub will be sited at the Local Folk Smokehouse; this central location near the intersection of Route 100 and 17 will direct pedestrians, bicyclists and other visitors to local businesses, encourage locals to get outside, and increase community participation in recreation.
The Recreation Hub includes several key interconnected components: an indoor Welcome Center with maps, recreation resources, and visitor information staffed by the MRV Chamber of Commerce; construction of a pedestrian/bike bridge over the Mill Brook by the Mad River Riders; and a new, adjacent trailhead area with port-o-lets and parking, incorporating environmental protection measures such as erosion control, runoff mitigation and an enhanced riparian buffer.
Environmental stewardship, in tandem with Friends of the Mad River, is a core focus through project design and a component called: Conservation Recreation Visioning (CRV), The project includes two safe pedestrian/bicycle crossings of VT 100 and a connection into Irasville via an existing trail, Fiddler’s Walk, if landowner permissions are granted. Linking the Hub to Waitsfield’s walkable downtown, will increase the ways people can get around and make visiting downtown Waitsfield businesses easier.
Project Elements
-
Welcome Center
The MRV Chamber of Commerce relocated to the intersection of Route 100 and Route 17 in November 2022 and continues to enhance the space. The new Welcome Center sign is up so stop by and look at maps, talk to experts, and choose a seasonal adventure to match your interests. Local volunteers are needed to staff the Welcome Center, check out this opportunity!
-
Trailhead Amenities
The Hub will offer dedicated recreation parking and adjacent port-o-lets. These amenities are expected in the spring of 2024 and will increase the “walkability” of the commercial center, encouraging more pedestrian movement through town and to other connected recreation destinations.
-
Bridge Over the Mill Brook
Mad River Riders are spearheading construction of a bike & pedestrian bridge over the Mill Brook, which will connect the Riders’ 60+mile core trail network to Waitsfield village, with vastly improved off-road connectivity for both locals and visitors. Installation of the bridge is slated for spring 2024.
-
Connecting to Downtown
A component of the project includes two safe pedestrian crossings of VT 100, linking the Hub to Waitsfield’s walkable downtown, including the Great Eddy Covered Bridge, by connecting to an existing part of the Mad Path called Fiddler’s Walk, once landowner permissions are secured.
-
Enhancing a Stewardship Ethos
The StewardMRV initiative will work together to engage, inform and inspire outdoor enthusiasts to be stewards of the natural environment and the community’s recreational assets. Participants in the initiative will help build an ethos of stewardship that brings together the work already being done and celebrates the volunteers and organizations that make it possible.
-
Community Rec Visioning
Our quality of life, economy, and recreational opportunities are inextricably connected to a healthy environment and functioning ecosystems. Trail groups, conservation groups, and community members are committed to working toward a future for the Valley where residents and visitors benefit from diverse and high quality recreational opportunities and where the watershed ecosystem thrives. Updates can be found here.
The MRV Recreation Hub will…
How to Stay in Touch with the Rec Hub
-
Community Meetings
On June 15, 2023 we had our first community meeting focused on Conservation Recreation. Here is a recap of that meeting.
-
Articles
Two working groups, Ecological Integrity and Recreation & Trails, are currently meeting to outline next steps before our next community session in early 2024. The Valley Reporter has published articles on our work:
-
Local Updates
The project team will continue providing updates to the Valley Reporter and posting major items on Front Porch Forum. Our goal is to be transparent about the MRV Recreation Hub at every step. Please reach out to laura@mrvrd.org or any of the project partners with questions or feedback!
Project Timeline
June - November 2021
Project partners collaborate on the Rec Hub application, which is submitted to VOREC through the MRV Recreation District.
March 2022
Grant decisions are announced, with the MRV Rec District receiving this year’s highest grant amount of almost $408,019. Partners attend Gov. Scott’s press conference in Danville announcing grant recipients.
April 2022 - Present
Project partners meet frequently to discuss permitting, compliance, design proposals, bids, communications, budget issues and assessing the need for fundraising.
A note regarding bids: since our grant request was based on bids from fall of 2021 and supply chain issues have increased pricing in many sectors, it’s possible there will be a funding gap. Once final costs are in, we will keep the community updated and if needed, fundraise for the MRV Rec Hub as one project.
Winter 2022 - 2023
The MRV Chamber moved its office to the Welcome Center, next to Stark Mt. Bike Shop, at the existing building at the intersection of Route 100 & Route 17. The space will undergo renovations for lighting, maps, enhanced displays and other improvements during early 2023.
Spring 2023
Projected start date of work on the Mill Brook pedestrian/cyclist bridge.
December 31, 2024
All projects must be completed per VOREC grant requirements by year end 2024, unless an exception is sought and agreed to by the State.
MRVRD Received the State’s Largest VOREC Grant for 2022!
Project partners were thrilled to attend Gov. Scott’s press conference announcing the VOREC recipients in Danville on March 28.
Media
Our Partners
Contact us.
We welcome community questions, feedback, and dialogue. Please reach out to MRVRD Executive Director Laura Arnesen, or any of the project partners, for more information. Thank you for being in touch!
laura@mrvrd.org
(802) 917-1056
4144 Main Street
Waitsfield, VT 05673