Park visits jump 62%

It’s been a record-breaking year at Waterbury Center State Park, with 42,000 visitors passing through the gate — ultimately leading to an unprecedented extension of the summer season to Sept. 21.

Nearly perfect summer weather, coupled with the many things the park has to offer, had a lot to do with the surge in visitors, said Lucas Griggs, the park’s ranger. The park, popular with both locals and tourists, is known for its panoramic mountain views and picnic spots, and boating and swimming on the 850-acre Waterbury Reservoir — the ninth-largest body of water in Vermont. The reservoir can hold 9 billion gallons of water.

Susan Bulmer, regional manager with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, said attendance increased 62 percent at the Waterbury park this year over last — 15,960 more visitors than the 26,040 in 2013 — solidifying its rank as the third most visited park in the state behind Branbury and Sand Bar parks.

The park is located on a 90-acre peninsula with 22 picnic sites, tables, hibachis, swimming beach, nature trail, trailer boat ramp, boat rentals, concession area and restrooms.

Like Griggs, Bulmer said this season’s balmy summer contributed heavily to this year’s visitor increase.

Conditions were less than favorable last summer, when wet weather and flooding were factors through the Fourth of July, and kept folks away, Bulmer said.

But everything went so well this year that, instead of closing up after Labor Day, as usual, the park gate will remain open until Sept. 21 — much to the delight of park patrons.

“People are really happy and excited when they get here and find out that the park is still open,” Griggs said.

Normally, people seeking an end-of-summer rendezvous at the reservoir would sneak past the park’s closed gate and hoof it down the entry road. However, it’s tough to lug a kayak that far, and boats can’t squeeze past the park’s gate.

Bulmer said the department hears regularly from local residents who want the park open longer.

“The local community has had a longstanding interest in keeping the park open past the traditional closing period,” Bulmer said. “Extending the season at the park will allow visitors to enjoy late summer recreational opportunities and the early fall foliage season.”

Even though she has always supported the idea of a longer season, Bulmer said the department must make sure revenues — largely from the $3 per person park admission fee — cover the costs of keeping the park open.

With the extra visitors this year, the park’s revenue totals are a little ahead of schedule.

And an added push this year helped park officials to decide to extend the season.

“The petition probably put it over the edge,” Bulmer said.

A petition to keep the park open longer than normal started circulating a few weeks ago, courtesy of Ted Barnett, a longtime Stowe resident and a former state’s attorney. The 94-year-old has been enjoying the reservoir five days a week, in season, for the past four years.

Barnett decided to draw up a petition to see if other people shared his opinion about keeping the park open well into September.

“I feel that, if there’s something that needs to be done and I have the possibility of making something happen, I feel it’s appropriate for me to take action, particularly if the situation warrants it,” Barnett said. “I have a social responsibility.”

The petition asked to keep the park open through Sept. 17 to allow families a few more weeks of summer fun on the waterfront.

Barnett called the community’s response “overwhelming,” and all but two people he approached were willing to sign the petition.

“I got such a positive response. People came to me to sign the petition; I didn’t even have to ask. It was just a powerful reception,” he said. “People love that place and it’s wonderful for us that we live in the vicinity of something so beautiful. It’s delightful.”

Boaters, kayakers and fun-loving families all signed the petition, and Barnett wound up with more than 200 signatures.

“There’s a big constituency out there,” he said.

Barnett wanted state officials to understand how important the park is and how often it’s used, even after the season is officially over.

“It’s just a pity to shut the park down when it could still be enjoyed by everyone from families and their small children who you see frolicking in the water or day pass holders coming by regularly to enjoy all the park has to offer,” he said.

After submitting the petition, Barnett met with parks officials, who told him that, as long as conditions are favorable, there’s really no harm in keeping the park open for a little while longer.

He has also pressed the department to consider an extension for upcoming seasons.

Bulmer said officials will be evaluating park attendance and revenues in coming years as part of deciding whether to make the park season perenially longer.

But she said it’s important to note that revenues aren’t the sole driver in a decision like this, and the voices of the community carry their own weight, as well.

“The public sentiment certainly drives what we do,” Bulmer said.

Barnett is pleased with the outcome and said he’s looking forward to a few more days of life in the park.

“It’s a win-win situation for everyone. If you just sit there for a while and look at joyful life that’s going on around you, like families and children playing and enjoying life, you’ll see that it’s a wonderful place,” he said. “It makes me really feel proud to be a Vermonter.”

The park is located off Route 100 on Reservoir Road and is open daily from 10 a.m. to sunset through Sept. 21.