State ready to acquire Muckross Project property

An official of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (DFPR) said plans to acquire the Muckross home and some 210 acres of privately owned land for a new state park are nearly complete.
http://www.eagletimes.com/news/2015-11-10/Front_Page/State_ready_to_acquire_Muckross_Project_property.html

2015-11-10 State ready to acquire Muckross Project property By Allan Stein allans@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD — An official of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (DFPR) said plans to acquire the Muckross home and some 210 acres of privately owned land for a new state park are nearly complete. On Monday, Parks and Recreation Manager Ethan Phelps told Springfield's selectboard the transfer of property should be final by Dec. 30. The planned acquisition is part of the Muckross Project for the creation of the state park and a master plan to implement infrastructure development projects. The land is currently owned in trust by the Louise Breson May Foundation, managed by Peter and Adam Kunin. The trust has agreed to turn over the land, two houses, and a "significant amount of money" to the state park system, Phelps said. Initial plans for the property include "dispersed recreation" on trails for hiking and mountain biking, and educational programs. On Nov. 23, DFPR officials will conduct a public meeting to obtain input on the state agency's concept plan for the property. "We felt it would be important to have a public meeting as soon as we can," said Phelps. Muckross was the home of the late Edgar May, an American journalist and politician who served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983. All of May's assets went to the trust after his death on Dec. 27, 2012. Phelps said the trust has agreed to allow the state to install a gate at the entrance to the property without a signed transfer of ownership of the property. The gate will remain closed for the winter for lack of a park ranger. An environmental study is also being conducted because of evidence of former dumping on the property, Phelps said. The public will be allowed to enter the property after the land transfer has taken place. All-terrain vehicles will be prohibited by state law, however. Phelps said the main house, built in 1905, will not be torn down. Plans also are to renovate the smaller house for use as park ranger quarters. The state also plans to hire an architect to help design and oversee the master plan. The master plan will be used to establish program goals and management objectives, as well as a "range of options" for land use and development, he said. Phelps said discussions will include a proposal to create a trail system for varsity cross-country runners and mountain bike clubs. The state has not yet come up with a name for the park. Phelps said possible names are Muckross State Park and Black River State Park. Selectboard chairman Kristi Morris said the board is looking forward to the land transfer and recreational development of the site.