Guidelines for Muckross State Park include ban on bicycles

The state's newest park, Muckross State Park, is only open to foot traffic and no bicycles are allowed at this time.

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Guidelines for Muckross State Park include ban on bicycles By | September 14,2016 SPRINGFIELD — The state’s newest park, Muckross State Park, is only open to foot traffic and no bicycles are allowed at this time. Ethan Phelps, the regional parks manager, told the Springfield Select Board Monday that since there is no public parking near the front gate to Muckross at this time, or on surrounding property, people wishing to use the park should either park at the beginning of the Toonerville Trail or at the Exit 7 Park & Ride. Phelps said there had been some problems with people parking at the entrance to Muckross, which is surrounded by private property. Muckross, which was the home of the late Edgar May, formally became a state park in July, he said, after more than four years of discussion and planning. Phelps said that a formal plan for the use of the park was just beginning, and that a Friends of Muckross Park would also be forming to work with the state on the park’s future. He said major work had to be done on the long driveway, which is about seven-tenths of a mile long, as well as the dam on Muckross Pond. He said that motorized vehicles are not allowed in the park, and that the park is only open during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset. No fires and no camping is also the rule, he said, saying that he doubted that camping would be allowed there in the long range plans. Phelps said that the day camp for Springfield-area children had been held for a second summer, but again couldn’t be held at Muckross, but at a neighboring property. He said he hoped that the day camp would be held at Muckross next summer. He thanked the property owner, Phil Drinker, for helping host the camp. “Phil supported us in countless ways,” Phelps said. Town Manager Tom Yennerell asked Phelps about whether mountain bikers would eventually be allowed on the property. “We’re hoping it’s one of the uses we can accommodate,” Phelps said. Yennerell said he had been approached by some area mountain bikers who wanted to link Muckross State Park to the town-owned Hartness Park, which is north of Muckross, including a loop around the pond. Phelps said that any trail link would cross two or three private properties and the state had already been in contact with them. Several of them are interested in establishing a trail on their property, he said. He said any trail request would have to come from the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. Phelps said that the state was taking “appropriate security measures” to protect the park and the numerous buildings in the park. Phelps wouldn’t disclose what those security measures were. Complete guidelines for the park will be posted near the main entrance. susan.smallheer http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160914/NEWS02/160919726