KTA Preparation for Future Opening in Response to Governor Scott's "Play Smart, Play Safe"
May 6, 2020
demonstrated here locally and around the country and to our north during this time of
unprecedented challenge and struggle, and we realize and appreciate more than ever the
sanctuary that being outdoors provides.
We have been encouraged recently with Governor Scott’s slow turning of the spigot to reopen
Vermont’s economy safely and responsibly. Just the other week the Governor released his
“Work Smart, Stay Safe”
addendum to his executive order, allowing for limited outdoor
businesses to resume under specific conditions. This allowed our Trail Crew to begin
maintenance for if and when Kingdom Trails may be allowed to open for public use.
Today the Governor turned the knob a bit more. He announced the addition of “Play Smart, Play
Safe”
to his order. Trail networks around the state will be allowed to open for public use.
Kingdom Trails is pleased with this announcement. Outdoor recreation is an important part of
our region’s economy and crucial to people’s physical and mental well-being, especially amidst
this time of crisis.
However, Kingdom Trails cannot stress enough how vital it will be for us to tread cautiously. We
understand outdoor recreation activities may increase the potential for increased transmission of
COVID-19 if proper precautions and guidelines are not in place or followed to mitigate that risk,
even as restrictions ease. The health and safety of our landowners, staff, community, and
trail users comes first.
Currently Kingdom Trails is still closed due to mud season conditions, yet this in between time
will come to an end soon. When we do believe we can open, we will be taking a very
conservative approach and want to stress that operations will not go back to ‘normal.’ Due to the
Governor’s orders, along with protocol from the Agency of Commerce and Community
Development and the Dept. of Forest, Parks, and Recreation, Vermonters should only partake
in local outdoor recreation opportunities and are encouraged to stay close to home. The
Canadian Border remains closed, lodging is not available until mid-June, and out-of-state
visitors are still being asked not to come to Vermont for recreational activities, and if they do,
they must self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving.
There will also be specific rules to recreate responsibly on our trails that follow physical
distancing, health and sanitation measures in accordance with VDH, CDC and ACCD
guidelines. These rules will even include proper parking procedures at trail access points. Our
expanded and improved Ambassador Program will safely be able to assist trail users in
navigating these new policies. The Kingdom Trails Welcome Center will not be opening for in
person sales or interactions. We will only be selling Annual Individual and Family Memberships
online through our website. A comprehensive reopening plan with safety guidelines is currently
being worked on and will be available in the near future.
Further, Kingdom Trails will be seeking feedback from our 97 private landowners and
communities that so graciously host our trails. We respect and depend upon their generosity
and our hope is that they will be comfortable with our plans and strict guidelines for opening.
Thank you for your understanding, patience and continued support as Kingdom Trails begins
the process of opening cautiously and responsibly for all.
Abby Long
Executive Director
Kingdom Trail Association
Dear KT Community, I write to you today as I begin a transition in my relationship with Kingdom Trails. I have made the difficult decision to take the next step in my professional journey and step away from my role as Executive Director. Serving Kingdom Trails and this incredible community over the past eight years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply proud of the work I’ve led and supported, from navigating immense global challenges and natural disasters, to forging incredible relationships, with our landowners and community. And throughout this journey, the Northeast Kingdom has become not just where I live, but truly my home. It’s the place I chose to become a mother and where my family has put down roots. That said, I am ready to explore new ways to serve this community, ways that will allow me to continue growing as a leader. I’ve accepted the role of Interim Executive Director for the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, where I will carry forward the work I fell in love with through Kingdom Trails: strengthening our communities and supporting thoughtful economic development. In this new role, I’ll have the opportunity to advocate not only for outdoor recreation, which is so essential to the heart of our region, but also for the many sectors that make the Northeast Kingdom such a unique and vibrant place. Please know I remain deeply committed to Kingdom Trails. This is my home, and it will remain my home. I wish to always be an ambassador for KT, including playing a role in ensuring a graceful, responsible transition with care. The Board of Directors and I have committed to this, to ensure continuity, stability, and the trust you hold in this organization. I am grateful beyond words for the opportunity to have served my community through this role, and I look forward to closing this chapter with the same heart and good intention with which I began it. Georgia Gould is stepping in as interim Executive Director to lead the organization through this transition. Georgia has served on the KT Board of Directors since 2021, leading both the Landowner and Trail Advisory Committees. She is a KT Landowner with an impressive mountain biking and cyclocross resume - including a bronze medal in one of her two Olympic bids on Team USA and five career national championships in cross-country and short track mountain biking. Georgia, her husband Dusty, and their two young children are engaged members of the Burke community and the KT team. Her deep ties to the sport of cycling, dedication to providing great trails for all skill levels, and her love of this community make her the perfect choice to lead KT in its next phase. The Board and I are thrilled that Georgia has agreed to lead KT and feel confident that she will hold the mission of the organization at the center as she has throughout her Board service. You can reach Georgia directly and welcome her to this new role at ED@kingdomtrails.org . With deep gratitude, Abby ### Kingdom Trail Association The mission of the Kingdom Trail Association is to provide recreation and education opportunities by managing, maintaining, and building trails to foster the health of our community, surrounding environment, and regional economy. Kingdom Trails strives to accomplish this mission by offering a 100+ mile network of quality, non-motorized, multi-use trails for all levels of ability, incorporating the best of our local scenery and natural diversity. The Kingdom Trails are made possible through the generosity of 106 private landowners. Northeast Kingdom Collaborativ e The mission of the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the NEK through coordinated economic and community development as the vision is a strong, vibrant Northeast Kingdom where we all thrive. The NEKC brings people together to spark positive change in our communities, creating structures that bring partners together across service areas, sectors, municipal and political boundaries to provide solutions for the renewal of the Kingdom. The NEK Collaborative serves as the backbone organization for the federally designated NEK REAP Zone and community partner for USDA Rural Development.
Cannondale Dirt Party a Success
KT is taking action—on the trails and in the Statehouse!
This 2025 Legislative Session, KT is teaming up with other amazing trail organizations through the Vermont Trails & Greenway Council, to advocate for H.147 a bill to establish the Recreational Trails Compensation Study.
Why does this matter?
Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy generates $2.1B annually, nearly 5% of the state’s GDP, that's 2nd in the nation after Hawaii (Go VT!) KT alone drives $10M in economic impact annually. Therefore, the state must recognize and incentivize these generous private landowners, including the 106 who make KT possible and allow public access to trails.
