Mt. Philo State Park Long Range Management Plan Was Conducted in Accordance with Agency of Natural Resources Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
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Rutland Stewardship Team Reuben Allen, Parks Regional Manager Doug Blodgett, Wildlife Biologist (retired) John Lones, State Lands Forester Nick Fortin, Wildlife Biologist Shawn Good, Fisheries Biologist Maria Mayer, Parks Regional Manager (former) Nate McKeen, Forestry District Manager Shannon Pytlik, River Scientist Jessica Savage, Recreation Program Manager Ethan Swift, Watershed Planner Lisa Thornton, State Lands Stewardship Forester Robert Zaino, State Lands Ecologist Mt. Philo State Park – Long Range Management Plan Page ii Mission Statements Vermont Agency of Natural Resources The mission of the Agency of Natural Resources is “to protect, sustain, and enhance Vermont’s natural resources, for the benefit of this and future generations.” Four agency goals address the following: • To promote the sustainable use of Vermont’s natural resources; • To protect and improve the health of Vermont’s people and ecosystems; • To promote sustainable outdoor recreation; and • To operate efficiently and effectively to fulfill our mission. Departments Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Mission Statement To preserve, enhance, restore, and conserve Vermont’s natural resources, and protect human health, for the benefit of this and future generations. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Mission Statement The mission of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is the conservation of all species of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the people of Vermont. To accomplish this mission, the integrity, diversity, and vitality of their natural systems must be protected. Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation Mission Statement The mission of the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is to practice and encourage high quality stewardship of Vermont’s environment by monitoring and maintaining the health, integrity, and diversity of important species, natural communities, and ecological processes; managing forests for sustainable use; providing and promoting opportunities for compatible outdoor recreation; and furnishing related information, education, and services. Mt. Philo State Park – Long Range Management Plan Page iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 232-acre Mt. Philo State Park (MPSP) in the Champlain Valley town of Charlotte is a popular and much-loved destination for recreation. The natural setting - the forests, the cliffs, and the meadows are valued assets and the setting for the park’s recreational use. Favored activities include hiking, picnicking, camping and nature viewing. It is a centerpiece of public land in the area and an important asset to the state, the region, and the town. The process for developing the long-range management plan for MPSP has been lengthy and complex. Long-range management plans address long-term land management topics providing broad management guidance into the future. State park operations include day-to-day strategies focused on operation of the park facility. Unlike other planning projects, it is particularly difficult to tease apart the elements of land management from those of ongoing state park operations at MPSP. They are intricately woven and often must be considered in concert. Public Input The public input process was purposefully varied with open houses, presentations, internet surveys, facilitated focus discussions, and meetings with individuals, neighbors, elected officials, and town committees. Open house and round table discussions were structured to encourage meaningful conversation adding valuable context to the input we received. The public input section on page 7 describes that process in detail. Results of that input can be found woven into the management recommendations throughout the plan and a summary of comments and response to those comments can be found in the appendix. Several themes were repeated throughout the public input and planning process from all who commented, but most passionately from those who feel most connected to the state park. Mt. Philo is a great place, it is steeped in history, people love the hikes through the forest, the views they are rewarded with at the summit, and the companionship of the people with whom they share the experience. Dogs are an important part of the experience for many. There is interest in managing invasive species and enhancing habitat. Parking can be a challenge on days with nice weather, weekends, and holidays. Many groups like to host gatherings at the park, and it is an important educational and recreational experience for school groups. The high visitation at MPSP is both a good thing and a management challenge. There are many ideas of how to move forward, not all in agreement. The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (VFPR) recognizes that partnerships with the community is an important and ongoing process now and after the completion of this planning process. Communication and collaboration between the Parks Division and the Charlotte community regarding the fluid nature of park operations and activities will continue after the completion of this planning document. Managing Mt. Philo State Park Managing the natural resources of Vermont is an important part of the mission of VFPR and important to many of Vermont’s citizens. Vermont’s natural resources are also the setting for much of the outdoor recreation that occurs in Vermont. Providing recreational opportunities appropriate to those natural resources is also part of the FPR mission. It is understood that Mt. Philo State Park is dedicated to recreation. But it is its naturalness that makes it so attractive to so many. Mt. Philo has always provided public recreation and proper management of its natural resources enhances the recreation experience. The two go hand in hand. Mt. Philo State Park – Long Range Management Plan Page iv Hiking There are 1.8 miles of hiking trails and an additional 2.1 miles of roads on MPSP, most provide access to the summit. The trails can be hiked in different combinations, or loops, to create variety for the hiker. Many who visit Mt. Philo choose to hike those trails to experience nature, for exercise, for the social experience, or for the solitary experience. They are an important asset and maintaining a sustainable trail network that is socially relevant, ecologically resilient and economically viable is a high priority. Maintaining Existing Trails A program of responsible trail management begins with maintenance of the existing infrastructure. Trail maintenance has struggled to keep pace with increasing visitation. Through ongoing trail assessment, it is apparent that many trails are showing signs of impact from heavy use. Segments of trail are nearly 30 feet wide in places, where they should be 6’ wide. The shallow mountain soils are being lost as off-trail excursion continues which compacts soils and tramples vegetation. Focusing increased funding on trail maintenance will help to improve the quality and sustainability of the existing trail system so that it can accommodate the number of hikers who visit MPSP. The program of ongoing trail maintenance will continue to upgrade existing trails to accommodate high use while protecting both the natural resources of MPSP and the hiking experience. Trails have been systematically widened to accommodate increased use and side-by- side hiking and surfaced to create a stable trail tread and to protect soils and trailside vegetation. This work was most recently done on the House Rock Trail. In part driven by the attention of this planning process additional funding has been directed toward the maintenance of the summit trail as a state-wide priority. FPR is in the process of working with a trail designer/planner to upgrade and relocate portions of the Summit Trail and improve hiker flow, loop opportunities and accessibility. This work is ongoing with anticipated trail maintenance and construction in 2019. The resulting sustainable network of hiking trails will be better positioned to accommodate high use. At that point expansion of the trail system can be considered. Expanding the Trail Network New trails will be established (P. 55, 66, 79) on the northern parcel (aka Allmon), creating a sustainable trail and alternate route to the summit. Trails will be made to cross roads directly to avoid confusion and will consider opportunities for varied experiences including an interpretive trail through the meadow (p. 81) and a universally accessible trail at the summit (p. 77, 78). The hiking experience will be enhanced by providing information on loop opportunities – dispersing use by helping hikers to be aware of combinations of trails to hike to reach the summit; installing better trail signage; providing education on hiking ethic, trail closures, etc. to better protect the trail at times when conditions are not favorable; and providing information on other great hiking opportunities in the surrounding Champlain Valley area including the Charlotte Town Trail (p. 45, 78). Mt. Philo State Park – Long Range Management Plan Page v Natural Communities Much of MPSP is characterized by young forests, with oaks, hickories, and white pine. Wetlands occupy just 1.3 acres in two locations within the state park. Locally, within the Champlain Valley, all of these natural community examples are of very high ecological value. Natural Communities of Mt. Philo State Park Natural Community Acres Vermont Distribution Wetlands Red Maple-Black Ash Seepage Swamp 1 Common Seep 0.3 Common Uplands Dry Oak-Hickory-Hophornbeam Forest 28 Uncommon Limestone Bluff Cedar-Pine Forest 0.5 Rare