KTA COVID-19 Response Statement

The Kingdom Trails Team hopes you and your loved ones are staying safe during these uncertain times. 

As you know our trails are currently closed due to mud season conditions. There is still snow out there, yet it is melting fast. We are always closed during this in between time to protect the natural resources and future conditions of the trails. We are grateful to all for respecting the land and this closure.

The Kingdom Trail Association has also decided to remain closed, until further notice, due to these unprecedented times we are all experiencing. Together with the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, Vermont Trails Alliance, and Vermont Dept. of Forest, Parks & Recreation, Kingdom Trails and other trail networks around the state have evaluated the current status of our recreational trail systems in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Scott’s Executive Order to ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe.” 

The primary directive from the Governor is to protect the public health and safety of Vermonters. We are in the middle of a health emergency, and to avoid the spread of COVID-19 we must stay at home as much as possible.

The Governor has deemed the Outdoor Recreation sector as non-essential, even naming Mountain Bike establishments. Trail work and maintenance are not considered critical activities pursuant to the Governor’s Order and are therefore prohibited. If certain trails cannot appropriately be prepared for safe public use and properly maintained for environmental quality, we believe they should not be used for recreation. Doing otherwise creates risks to trail users and natural resources and our shared long-term goals for getting back out there on our epic trails.

As many of you know our trail network is made possible by 97 private landowners. We respect and depend on the generosity of these landowners and the communities that host us. We do not want to encourage an excess of trail users on their lands and in our communities during this emergency. 

Trail use can also create unnecessary risk of injury at a time when our sole focus should be on supporting Vermont's efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis with all available medical resources and not diverting them to emergency response actions. We do not wish to place our volunteer Burke Fire Brigades or Lyndon Rescue first responders in harm’s way, nor take essential equipment and time away from our medical professionals at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, NVRH, for what could have been an avoidable injury. 

Please know Kingdom Trails truly believes exercise is crucial during this trying time. VT Dept. of Forest, Parks, and Recreation has suggested to stay local, within 10 miles, and that State Park roads, State Forest roads and other durable, wider trails on state lands may be appropriate for exercise during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Check FPRs website for more information about recreation opportunities. We do encourage you to get outside, exercise, and follow the FPR's department guidance, informed by the CDC and VDH, on how to do this safely and responsibly.

Kingdom Trails will continue to evaluate when it is appropriate to prepare and open our trails for the 2020 season. This decision will be made with guidance from the state of Vermont and other Vermont trail networks such as The Long Trail, VAST, VMBA networks, VASA, Vermont Huts, and The Catamount Trail, and in conjunction with the Governor’s Orders. These decisions will be made based on the health and safety needs of our landowners, community, and trail users. 

Even though we are currently closed Kingdom Trails is grateful to still be able to offer support to our local community. Last week we donated $25,000 to the COVID-19 relief efforts to local organizations directly serving our community members during this unprecedented time of need. We encourage our trail users to join us in saying thank you to our landowners and our local communities by making individual donations to these organizations. Even members of the Board of Directors and Staff have committed to contributing individually along with KTA. Join us in Giving Together to greaten the impact.

Kingdom Trails is truly appreciative for your understanding and patience. 

Please stay happy and healthy!

Abby Long

Executive Director

Kingdom Trail Association