FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Woodstock Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant for Park Access and Safety Improvements
WOODSTOCK, VT — The Town of Woodstock has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to improve pedestrian access, safety, and connections between Woodstock Village and the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park.
The funding, provided through the Federal Lands Access Program, will support upgrades to several important community connections, including the historic Elm Street Bridge, sidewalks leading to the National Park, and the Spruce Path trail that links the park to areas north of town.
"We're really excited about what this funding will allow us to do," said Municipal Manager Eric Duffy. "The National Park is one of Woodstock's greatest assets, and these improvements will make it safer and easier for people to access the Park and enjoy its magic.”
The project will help repair aging pedestrian infrastructure and improve accessibility. It will also strengthen connections between the National Park, Billings Farm & Museum, and Woodstock's downtown businesses.
"Visitors often experience Woodstock, Billings Farm, and the National Park as one destination," Duffy said. "The better we connect those places, the better the experience for visitors and the stronger the benefit is to our local businesses and economy."
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park welcomes more than 80,000 visitors annually and generates an estimated $7.3 million in economic activity each year, including approximately $5.3 million in tourism dollars that supports local shops, restaurants, lodging establishments, and more than 50 jobs in the region.
"This is the kind of investment that benefits everyone," Duffy added. "It helps preserve important community infrastructure, improves safety, and supports the tourism economy that so many local businesses depend on.
“I am grateful for the work of our Economic Development Director Abbie Sherman, our Chief of Staff Stephanie Applefeller, and the staff at Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission, and the National Park Service for putting together the proposal and ensuring we received this critical funding.”
Town officials will work with the National Park Service and project partners to advance planning and design work, with construction expected to follow in future phases.
This award is a continuation of Woodstock’s focus on applying for and receiving grants to help with infrastructure repairs and sustainability. In the last year, Woodstock, working with local partners, has received roughly $3.1 million in Federal and State grants.
For more information, contact the Woodstock Municipal Manager's Office at (802) 457-3456.