First-in-the-Nation Parks Pilot Proves Out: Here's What We Know

In 2025, we launched a first-in-the-nation pilot program welcoming over 100,000 income-eligible Vermonters for free day-use of Vermont State Parks.

We are thrilled to share: the pilot program of 2025 was a success!

A Win for Vermonters--and for Vermont

Privately-funded, this pilot is an expansion of Vermont Park Forever's existing Park Access Fund and is the first of its kind in the nation. It’s Vermont-grown, Vermont-focused, and Vermont-led, which makes its resounding success even more worthy of celebration.

Not only was this program well-used (over 30,000 free visits recorded), but most importantly: it benefited people who were otherwise unlikely to visit the parks.

Of participants surveyed, 75% would not have visited if it weren’t for the pilot. 61% brought along a child under four years old. And over 99% of surveyed participants plan to use this program again in 2026.

"My family would not have been able to visit any state parks without this program. This has allowed myself and my children to get out, see and learn about nature, and walk around when we otherwise would have been stuck at home."

-- Pilot Program Participant

It’s worth noting that not only do program participants benefit from park visits, our communities benefit collectively.

“Promoting equitable access to nature can lead to meaningful health improvements, monetary cost savings, and stronger communities” -- From “Nature’s Wealth: Quantifying Benefits of Nature Exposure and Promoting Equitable Access Through Policy”

Next Steps for the Park Access Pilot Program

It’s safe to say this is no longer a pilot! Which means we have work to do.

Plans are underway to find more permanent funding sources—and a name. Beyond that, our research confirmed that certain barriers to park attendance remain. Of people surveyed, 50% were unaware the program existed, and 18% of respondents lack transportation to get to their nearest state park.

Do you have ideas for funding, outreach, and other creative solutions to help get more Vermonters out into, and enjoying the benefits of, Vermont State Parks? We’d love to hear from you!

Learn more about the pilot program, and the larger park access program.

Thank you to Tuck Community Consulting, The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College for conducting and analyzing research specific to the Park Access Pilot Program. Project Lead: Elizabeth Massman, and Team Members: Clayton Hudak, Brian Kim, and Jared Schell.

Thank you also to Scott Brown for his ongoing support of the Pilot Program, and to all of the individuals, businesses, and foundations who continue to make this work possible.