We are excited to share that the Rock Point Trails Plan to restore and upgrade the walking paths on the Rock Point peninsula is finished! The plan included construction and improvements on many trails, including popular trails to Sunset Cliff, The Point, and Eagle Bay. Timber and Stone, LLC completed the trail work, adding wooden boardwalks and stone steps, and widening gravel paths. These improvements will make the trails more accessible, preserve the land from erosion, and protect local plant species. Additionally, they added more signs to guide public access.
The completion of this project is the result of significant collaborative efforts with a variety of organizations including the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, the City of Burlington, the Lake Champlain Land Trust, and the Parks Foundation of Burlington. Conserving Rock Point land and the bordering Arms Forest means that a significant portion of the natural area along Lake Champlain will remain undeveloped.
On September 26th, the new Universal Access trails to the Outdoor Chapel and Sunset Cliff were dedicated to Bishop Tom and Ann Ely. These wide, flat, gravel paths mean that people of all abilities can participate in weddings and services at the Outdoor Chapel, as well as take in the beauty of Sunset Cliff.
On September 29, Rock Point held another Celebration and Dedication of the newly unveiled trails from the Burlington Bike Path onto Rock Point, marked with plaques that recognize the donors to the Rock Point, Arms Forest Coalition Campaign, and the Partnership Campaign for Rock Point’s future. The new route is dedicated to John Ewing, a devoted conservationist and longtime Burlington resident. His wife, Jane, spoke at the ceremony, along with Burlington Mayor Weinberger and Bishop Shannon MacVean-Brown. This moment marks a shared vision to preserve the beauty of Rock Point for many generations to come.
Our students are already enjoying the improvements on the trails and we are so grateful to our partners for helping to protect this beautiful place! You can watch a news story about the updated trails here and you’ll see some RPS students walking the trails! If you’d like to go on a virtual walking tour of the trails, check out the video below.
Featured in the photo at top: Bishop Shannon MacVean- Brown, Mayor Miro Weinberger, Chris Boget (Lake Champlain Land Trust), Karen Freeman (Vermont Housing and Conservation Board), John Bossange (Burlington Parks Foundation), and Jane Ewing.