08/23/2024: It has been a challenging summer for our parks with flooding in July, continued heavy rain events, and several windstorms. WVPD crew is working hard to clear trails of down trees and repair damage from flooding and heavy rain events.
Please help us out by:
- Following Mud Season etiquette – mud season conditions can happen anytime of year! Some trails will be extra muddy or have sections of standing water after any rain event, as soils are saturated. Please remember to walk through puddles, not around, to avoid widening muddy areas and damaging surrounding vegetation. If a trail is too muddy or wet, when in doubt, turn around and find a more durable trail to enjoy.
- Use caution along river banks and streams. Please do not use any flooded trails or trails with standing water, especially along rivers or streams. Erosion and bank undercutting can still be occurring, conditions can change quickly, rivers and streams are still running high and fast, and flood water can hide hazards and debris.
- Respect all trail closure notices and signs.
Reach out to [email protected] with any questions or to report any trail issues – we will do our best to respond quickly. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@wvpdoutreach) for more up to date information and park conditions.
Ethan Allen Homestead
The Ethan Allen Homestead, located off Route 127 in Burlington, is a multi-use property rich in wildlife species. Tracks of raccoon, deer, gray squirrel, beaver, muskrat, red fox, and river otter can be found. Among many species of birds can be found in the park, including blue-gray gnatcatchers and northern harriers.
With over 4 miles of trails, visitors can explore several habitats providing the opportunity to observe many wildlife species. As you walk along the Homestead’s elevated boardwalk through a cattail marsh, listen for early spring peepers and wood frogs, and keep an eye out for signs of beavers. On the Peninsula Loop Trail that runs along the Winooski River, you may see tracks of river otter in the soft soil. Migrating waterfowl take advantage of the spring pools that form in the meadows, so bring along your binoculars for bird viewing. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy a rest at one of the riverside picnic tables or in the open-air picnic shelter.
The Homestead is also the site of Ethan and Fanny Allen’s restored 1787 historic farmhouse. The Ethan Allen Homestead Museum offers tours of the house and information about Ethan Allen, his family, and early Vermont history. For more information visit www.ethanallenhomestead.org.
Several community gardens, including the Vermont Garden Network’s Thriving Garden and Association of Africans Living in Vermont New Farms For New Americans Community Gardens, and Burlington Area Community Gardens are located at the Ethan Allen Homestead. Visit our Community Garden Partners page for information.
The park is also home to Alnôbaiwi, a 501c-3 non-profit dedicated to preserving Vermont Abenaki cultural heritage.
The WVPD’s offices are located at the Ethan Allen Homestead. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm. Please note: our office staff work a hybrid remote-office schedule and our parks staff are often out in the field. Email is the best way to reach our staff, please visit our contact page. If wishing to visit the office, please contact [email protected] to ensure a staff person will be in the office.
