2020 KTA Mini Grant Recipients
October 19, 2020
Grants awarded to 8 local projects.
Kingdom Trails awarded grants to 8 local projects. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process, scoring projects on such criteria as community need, impact, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, public support, and a realistic, effective work plan and budget.
The Kingdom Trails Board of Directors is excited to announce the following recipients of the 2020 KTA Mini Grant awards:
Town of East Haven Library: Awarded $4,800 to refurbish the playground at the East Haven Community Park to provide a safer and more attractive area for residents and visitors to recreate and gather.
Kingdom East School District: Awarded $4,439 for the All Kids Bike program for Kindergarten and First Grade students of all KESD schools. Funds will purchase 22 Strider bikes, curriculum and training that will enable PE Teachers to facilitate learning opportunities for students to ride a bike without training wheel support.
Vermont Children’s Theater: Awarded $4,055 to update the lighting and electrical wiring in the VCT barn. Funds will increase energy efficiency, provide more effective lighting of the space and ensure safety for youth productions and other community groups who use the barn.
Rural Edge Support & Services at Home (SASH): Awarded $3,546 for Fall Awareness and Prevention. This program will integrate fall prevention education, physical aids to help reduce falls, and the opportunity for physical movement and strengthening. Program participants will acquire yak tracks, cane ice picks, and/or portable sand to use on icy surfaces.
H.O.P.E: Awarded $2,500 for their weekly Backpack Program, providing food to children from 8 area schools, and their families who are facing food insecurity.
Town of Lyndon: Awarded $2,460 to dedicate to the multi-year process of converting the vacant, former Town Highway Garage parcel into a public greenspace with river access and connections to local trail networks (KTA, VAST, etc.). These funds will allow weekly mowing and weed whacking to promote an immediate, welcoming space for relaxation and unobstructed river access for swimming, tubing, paddling, fishing, etc., plus the installation of picnic tables and benches to encourage enjoyment of the greenspace, and signage to educate users on “leave no trace” principles and promote community care of the area and environmental awareness.
NEK Backcountry: Awarded $2,300 to purchase trail tools in order to be more efficient in clearing and
maintaining approved glade skiing areas. NEKBC will also purchase lumber to build bridges over sensitive wet areas and add signs for proper parking areas, educating skiers about NEKBC policies and protecting the environment.
Cobleigh Library: Awarded $900 to purchase books about outdoor recreation and nature diversity as well as snowshoes for community members to check out of both the bookmobile and library, encouraging health and wellness through reading and outdoor movement activities.
Kingdom Trails is thankful to all applicants who submitted proposals and we wish all the best in advancing these valuable local endeavors, improving the quality of life for our community. Above all, Kingdom Trails is grateful to our private landowners who so generously allow our trails to cross their beautiful properties. It is because of them that we may continue contributing to our community and offering this program.
To learn more about the new KTA Mini Grant program and how to apply for next year’s cycle, please visit www.kingdomtrails.org/kta-mini-grant.org
###
EAST BURKE, VT – October 27, 2025 – Kingdom Trails, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of recreational trails in the Northeast Kingdom, today announced it has received a monumental gift of $100,000 from Bear Den Partners, the owners of Burke Mountain, and Kingdom Trails’ single largest private landowner. This unprecedented corporate donation is the largest in Kingdom Trails’ history and signifies a powerful commitment to the economic vitality and future of recreation in the Northeast Kingdom. The $100,000 investment comes as both organizations continue to expand their collaborative efforts to enhance outdoor tourism and provide world-class experiences for visitors and local community members alike. This funding will be immediately directed toward critical trail maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable trail development projects across the network, allowing Kingdom Trails to build important new connections and keep the trails in top shape. “We are overwhelmed by the generosity and vision demonstrated by the leadership at Burke Mountain,” said Georgia Gould, Interim Executive Director of Kingdom Trails. “This is more than just a donation; it’s an unprecedented investment in the future health of our trails, our organization, and the entire Northeast Kingdom community. This investment ensures we can not only maintain the current quality of the Kingdom Trails experience but also pursue long-term sustainability and innovative projects.” The gift came during an evening of music and celebration of Kingdom Trails’ Landowners hosted by Bear Den Partners at the Burke Mountain Hotel. The event brought together the landowners, community members, and friends who make Kingdom Trails possible. The evening featured a powerful joint performance by national touring artists Adam Gardner of Guster and Stephen Kellogg, whose music captured the warmth, connection, and spirit that define the Northeast Kingdom. The relationship between Burke Mountain and Kingdom Trails has been instrumental in positioning the region as a premier mountain biking and outdoor destination. Burke Mountain’s contribution emphasizes a shared goal of drawing visitors to the region while ensuring responsible stewardship of the natural resources. “Burke Mountain is a proud neighbor and partner to Kingdom Trails,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners. “We understand that the trails are a critical driver of our local economy and an important amenity for our guests. Making this $100,000 commitment was a clear decision—it ensures the longevity of this incredible network and helps secure the Northeast Kingdom’s reputation as a top-tier outdoor destination for generations to come.” The organizations encourage the public and corporate partners to view this as an inspiration for collective responsibility in protecting and preserving the trails that define Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom experience. Kingdom Trails extends its sincere gratitude to Bear Den Partners for their integral support of this investment and their dedication to the future of the trails. About Kingdom Trails Kingdom Trails is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and maintenance of a 100+ mile network of non-motorized multi-use trails in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Utilizing a land-use agreement model with 106 private landowners, Kingdom Trails provides recreational access that promotes healthy lifestyles, economic vitality, and sustainable use of resources. About Burke Mountain Located in the heart of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Burke Mountain Resort is an independent, four-season destination owned by Bear Den Partners. Burke delivers 178 acres of world-class skiing and riding in the winter, and lift-served mountain biking and hiking in the summer. Burke’s bike park is adjacent to the world-renowned Kingdom Trails network, a mecca for mountain bikers. Year-round, Burke and the Burke Mountain Hotel host events and activities that reflect the culture and community of Vermont: down-to-earth, uncorporate and driven by the spirit of the mountain and the people who ride it. For more information, visit SkiBurke.com or follow on all major social platforms including Instagram , Facebook and YouTube .
To view newsletter with live links, click here
October 18th, 2025 from 7-10 PM
