PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – October 18, 2023
Contact: Jackie
Jackie Dagger, Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative Program Manager
Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation & Agency of Commerce and Community Development
jackie.dagger@vermont.gov, 802-636-7410
Claire Polfus, Recreation Program Manager
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
claire.polfus@vermont.gov, 802-505-5372
Move Forward Together Vermont: Vermont Embarks on Ambitious Outdoor Recreation Planning Effort
Killington, VT – The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) and the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) launch groundbreaking “Move Forward Together Vermont: Designing our Outdoor Recreation Future.” This ambitious statewide planning endeavor has been set in motion to address a critical need – creating and sustaining opportunities that strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation spaces and communities.
"Over the next year, this broad public engagement process will develop a shared vision for Vermont’s outdoor recreation future and a set of priorities and action steps for achieving that future within five years," stated Jackie Dagger, VOREC Program Manager. "It will guide decisions about where to focus energy and resources across the outdoor recreation landscape."
This initiative, supported by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, merges the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) and the VOREC Action Plan. The planning effort will include multiple stakeholder surveys, focus groups, and workshops with the SCORP Technical Advisory Committee and the VOREC Steering Committee
Timeline:
- Data Collection and Information Gathering (September 2023 – January 2024)
- Draft Vision and Priorities (February – May 2024)
- Public Feedback and Input (June – August 2024)
- Final Production and Design (Fall 2024)
"We invite all Vermonters to participate in this process," urged Claire Polfus, FPR Recreation Program Manager. "Whether you're an avid outdoor enthusiast or simply appreciate spending time outdoors, we want to hear from you."
Currently, the Vermont State of Recreation Survey 2023 is open for recreation providers such as municipalities, non-profit trails organizations, and recreation districts. This survey, conducted by the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association, will inform Move Forward Together Vermont.
Surveys for the public and outdoor businesses will be available soon. Find more information and sign up for updates on Move Forward Together Vermont’s website.
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