News & Events
As the Mad River Valley Recreation District grows, we are able to offer events to help our community in various ways. Sometimes these events have an educational focus, promote safety or are designed to raise funds for Mad River Valley Recreation District or our partners.
In 2020 / 2021 we sponsored 3 different events with a focus on safety.
Backcountry Safety Event, focused on skiing safely and responsibly.
$10 Bike Helmet Event at the Waitsfield Farmers Market.
Free Safety Vests for runners, walkers and road bikers.
Mad River Valley Recreation District Sponsors Reflective Vest Giveaway
Thanks to a great idea from a local resident and funding from the Mad River Valley Recreation District (MRVRD), many more Valley residents can walk, run or bike on town roads with increased safety. In late November, Kathleen Cosentino, Waitsfield, approached MRVRD to identify a problem and propose a solution. Kathleen had noticed that people walking on the Cross Road, Common Road, Joslin Hill Road and many other places at dawn and dusk were barely visible to traffic. To address this, Kathleen suggested teaming up with the MRVRD to distribute reflective vests, for free, to anyone who would like one within our community. She volunteered to research, order, advertise and distribute the vests to increase pedestrian safety and encourage outdoor recreation.
Many people rely on walking as a way to keep healthy during these difficult times, while safely maintaining social connections and getting exercise. In fact, Governor Scott has been encouraging all Vermonters to get outside to recreate in order to ward off depression and other consequences of “cabin fever” from the pandemic.
"The response to the reflective vests has been overwhelming and very positive,” said Cosentino. “In just a few hours on December 6th at Waitsfield Common parking lot, I handed out nearly 50 free vests to eager walkers and joggers. Since many folks are still looking for vests I wanted to let people know you can buy them locally for a modest fee at both Clearwater Sports and Kenyon’s. Meanwhile I am ordering more through the MRVRD Grant I received and will post on Front Porch Forum and Facebook once they are available for distribution.
Each vest comes with recognition of the MRVRD and the towns of Fayston, Waitsfield and Warren for funding the project and a brochure from the state entitled: "SHARE THE ROAD: A guide for sharing Vermont’s roads for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and others.”
For those seeking off-road options, the Mad River Path offers safe and flat trails, including the West Greenway, Warren Path, and the Sugarbush Snowmaking Pond Loop.
The Hosford Highway boardwalk next to Lawson's Finest is also a great spot to feel close to nature while being downtown. A more challenging hike close to the valley floor is the Mill Brook Trail that starts at the Swanson Inn off Rt 17.
A map of Mad River Paths can be found here, or a view the full valley-wide trails map. Please remember to wear a mask since you may encounter others around a corner and be within six feet of someone not in your household.
"This project is a great example of how the Mad River Valley Recreation District operates,” said Liza Walker, Mad River Valley Recreation District Board Chair.
“While we have an annual Recreation Grant Program with a deadline of November 1st, we also want to support high-quality, citizen driven projects quickly. The Reflective Vest initiative increases community safety for all who are trying to get outside and recreate at this time. Many thanks to Kathleen Cosentino for taking leadership to keep us all safe and healthy.”
New Vermont Adaptive Facility at Mt. Ellen
The Mad River Valley Recreation District recently donated to the new facility at Sugarbush’s Mt. Ellen to expand accessibility in the Mad River Valley.
That $2.5 million project includes three floors for adaptive sports programming, retreats, veterans’ programs, workshops, and wellness seminars. The Grand Opening will be winter 2021-2022.
To learn more about the facility and to view designs and renderings, click here.
If you have event ideas please contact us to share your ideas & how you might volunteer to make it a reality!