Stratton Town Forest Bench Naming
This past fall with a donor advised grant through the Vermont Community Foundation from the Lyman Orton Foundation SoVTA was able to complete the first 2 miles of purpose build family/adaptive friendly multi-use trail and a brand new driveway/parking lot at the Stratton Town Forest. This summer we plan to start on the next 3 miles of inclusive trail and finish surfacing the parking lot so it will stand up to wet weather better. This will bring phase one of the project to completion. We were able to open the first two miles of trail and one the backcountry zones this past fall with the help of our numerous volunteers and with your help we plan to finish the access trail the next loop that will bring us to the base of the Hollywood Bowl.
Our goal over the next 12 months is to raise a total of $10,000 for the Stratton project so we can continue to finish phase one of the project. To help reach this goal we are providing the opportunity for donors to choose a bench to have a 5×3 dedication plaque (bench sections will be 3×2) installed acknowledging there support of the project. There are a total of 15 benches in phase one, 5 of which have already been built. We project that the project will cost an additional $30,000 over the next 3 years and will create 3 new seasonal trail staff positions. We hope to have the project completed with the Velomont connection to the Grout Pond Hut by the fall of 2025.
The benches are located at key rest points and scenic vistas with the purpose of encouraging users to stop, breath and take in the beauty that the Stratton Town Forest offers. The benches are constructed using the natural material available at each location. Some are made from the large boulders removed during trail construction while other are made using wood milled from onsite timber. Each bench has unique design and feel.
We encourage donor input on the design of the bench they have chosen and would love to have you come out and help with the final build of your chosen bench. Please take a few moments to read through the descriptions, some benches have been built already and have pictures with the description other we will add images as we build them this season. After you have read through the descriptions please follow the link and fill out the Bench Naming Form and we will reach back out to you to work on a bench that fits your needs. We looking forward to working with you on this important part of the Stratton Town Forest Project.
After you have looked at the benches please fill out our Bench Naming Form and we look forward to working with you on your bench.
Cliff Trail Corner Bench
The corner bench is made of large rock slabs that were dug up during the construction of the Cliff Trail. The bench can accommodate about four people and is the last benches before you return to the parking lot.
$500 Minimum Donation
Boulder View Bench
The boulder view bench is located at the first set of cliffs along the access trail and will be located between two trees. The rough cut lumber will be milled onsite from a few maples that were removed for the parking lot. It will look back along the trail as it passes below the large mica schist cliffs and boulders and provides some great views of these structures as the glaciers retreated.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Cliff Bench
The Cliff Bench is set atop a 30ft tall cliff band that looks back on the access trail as it winds its way up from the parking lot. The bench top will be milled from onsite maple and will be suspended between two trees.
$500 Minimum Donation
Access Trail Bench
The Access Trail Bench is located after the first uphill sections after the Cliff Trail intersection on the section of the access trail to be built this summer. The bench will look down over a group of large glacial erratic’s / boulders.
$500 Minimum Donation
Stream View Bench
The Stream View Bench will be located along the access trail just before it crosses the first seasonal stream in a deep draw that was created by the retreating glaciers. The bench will provide great views of wildlife and back towards Mount Snow.
$500 Minimum Donation
Blue Brook Bench
The Blue Brook Bench will be located along the access trail just before it crosses the headwaters tributary of the Deerfield River, Blue Brook. This bench will be great place to cool off on hot summer days, with views back to Mount Snow and the potential for viewing wildlife.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Slab Bench
The Slab Bench will be located along the access trail just after it crosses Blue Brook and atop a large Mica Schist Slab that looks back down on the trail and towards Mount Snow. The bench will also eventually be located next a new natural trail that comes down the rock slab before it connects to the Sweet Tooth Trail.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Halfway Down Bench
The Halfway Down Bench will be located at the turn just before the lower portion of the Sweet Tooth Downhill section. It is natural place where people stop to regroup after the first section of downhill directional trail. The bench will be made out of natural wood slabs that users can ride up onto and off.
$100 Minimum Donation per Section
The Hunters Bench
The bench is located along the lower portion of the Sweet Tooth Trail and is built out of large rock slabs. The bench is has great views over the old sugaring stand of old growth maple trees along the lower section of Sweet Tooth.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Foundation Benches
The foundation benches will be located at the end of the Sweet Tooth downhill. It will be located on the foundation of the old sugar shack that Sweet Tooth gets its namesake from. There will be two benches and will be a natural place that people gather at the end of the downhill with a view out over the small brook that descends right by the old foundation.
$250 Minimum Donation per Bench
The Sweet Tooth Bench
The Sweet Tooth Bench will be located right next to the Sweet Tooth Saw Blade Sign. The bench will actually be several half rounds from boards that were used for the bridge at the start of the trail. The bench will have few different levels that users can ride or walk up on and off of. The benches are a natural gathering point before users start the climb up Sweet Tooth.
$100 Minimum Donation per Section
The Rest Bench
The Rest Bench is located about halfway up the climbing portion of Sweet Tooth. It was the first bench to be constructed last year and offer views back down on the Sweet Tooth Climb as it winds its way up. It is the perfect place to get your breath back before finishing the last of the Sweet Tooth climb.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Finish Benches
The finish benches will be a pair and are located at the top of the Sweet Tooth Climb and offers a great place to take a rest before you start on the Sweet Wood Climb that will take you to the bottom of the Hollywood Bowl. There will be two benches on either side of the trail.
$250 Minimum Donation per Bench
The Rock Bench
The rock bench is located at the top of the Sweet Tooth descent and is made from three large flat rock slabs. It is natural place where users stop before starting the descent of the Sweet Tooth Trail.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Big Swing Bench
The big swing bench is located about halfway down the Sweet Tooth descent. The bench will be a swing that is made from an 8ft thick live edge slab that is suspended between two old growth maples. It has great views across the old sugaring stand of maples and is a great place to sit back and watch the forest around you.
$500 Minimum Donation
First Turn Bench
The first turn bench will be located on knoll that looks out over beach stand and will provide a nice place to rest after the first big climb. We will update with more information as we get closer to building this section of trail.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Rest Bench
The bench will located at the top of the lower stand of sugaring maples and will provide views of the big berms on the downhill portion of Sweet Wood. We will update with more information as we get closer to building this section of trail.
$500 Minimum Donation
The Hollywood Bench:
The Hollywood bench will be located at the top of the Sweet Wood Climb at the base of the holly wood bowl and provides great views of the Hollywood Bowl and its old growth maples in the upper sugaring stand.
$500 Minimum Donation