KT Landowners, Community, and Members,
Once again Mother Nature has deemed our winter season come to an end. The Kingdom Trails network is currently closed due to mud season conditions in order to protect the natural resources and future of the trails. We are not yet able to say when the ground will be dry and ready for recreation, but until then we thank you all for respecting the land and seasonal trail closure.
During this in-between season the KT Team is hard at work preparing for a successful summer ahead. It is an understatement to say that 2020 was a season like no other, however we learned a lot from managing our trails throughout the pandemic, ensuring the safety of our staff, landowners, community, and members. We are grateful to all for riding with gratitude and respecting our priority to take care of our local community. We plan to continue our COVID19 practices of adhering to the State of Vermont’s guidelines, and evolving as they do.
Kingdom Trails is anticipating increased visitor numbers compared to last summer due to the availability of vaccines and the expanding
VT cross state travel policy.
To properly prepare for this increase in visitors we will be dedicating our time to advanced educational messaging for trail users.
Along with physical distance, masks, and sanitary measures, these messages will encompass tips for dispersing the increased traffic. We will ask folks to be patient
and communicate
respectfully, show appreciation for our landowners
and local community, avoid peak times
and days, explore other trails
that are not the most popular, not to overflow KT parking areas
and only park in approved KT locations, purchase your memberships in advance online, follow Leave No Trace
principles and abide by our Ride With Gratitude
code of conduct. We want all to respect each other
and be an active part in making the outdoors welcoming and inclusive for all abilities and identities.
To further increase education, engagement and accountability efforts, while encouraging respectful behaviour, KT Ambassadors will be stationed at key trailheads and strategic trail locations to share our code of conduct and inform users that they are on private property.
The KT Capacity Study, to be finalized this Spring, is also tackling the increased traffic concern as it is addressing issues relating to crowding, congestion, safety, and general pressure being placed on our local communities. With the goal of improving the quality of life for our region, we are excited to share the study’s
final recommendations
and get to work contemplating the suggested strategies and implementing community infrastructure to address the growing number of users and capacity imbalances in the system.
We appreciate more than ever the sanctuary that being outdoors provides. Thank you all for your support of Kingdom Trails and our community. We can’t wait until the dirt dries out and our amazing crew gives the thumbs up so we can hit the trails, as we understand the outdoors is a refuge, a safe place to gather, and an essential source of renewal. Until then we hope all continues to be happy and healthy!
We are so grateful,
Abby & the KT Team
