MONTPELIER,VT — Vermont Parks Forever is excited to announce its Park Access Fund Grantees for 2022. Since 2016, Vermont Parks Forever has granted over $50,000 to cover park entry fees and help create a more equitable outdoor experience throughout the state. This year, the Park Access Fund will provide over 5,000 free days in the parks to the following community partners across Vermont:
Boys and Girls Club of Rutland County* Boys and Girls Club of Vergennes Champlain Community Services The DREAM Program, Inc. Experience Literacy Camp at Mt. Anthony Union Middle School G.R.I.T.S.* Howard Center King Street Center* Laraway Youth and Family Services NCSS, Inc - School-Based Autism Program* Northeast Disabled Athletic Association Outdoor Family Weekend through UVM Extension*
Powered Magazine
Sarah Holbrook Community Center*
Spectrum Youth and Family Services*
Turning Point Recovery Center
United Way, Working Bridges
Unlikely Riders*
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports*
Vermont Department for Children and Families
Vermont Kin as Parents
Vermont Professionals of Color Network*
*new partner in 2022
“The Park Access Fund breaks down barriers for Vermonters who otherwise might not have the chance to experience all that Vermont State Parks have to offer. The Fund helps foster families, youth programs, front-line workers, those with developmental disabilities, BIPOC communities, new Americans, mental health clients, and those with limited mobility, among others, to enjoy all the benefits that come with time spent in the parks.” says Vermont Parks Forever’s Executive Director, Sarah Alberghini Winters. She added, “We are grateful for the good work our community partners do throughout Vermont and commend their efforts to integrate visits to the state parks into their programming.”
Organizations serving Vermonters facing barriers to outdoor experiences can submit an application for a Park Access Grant at vermontparksforever.org/park-access-fund. The application period is rolling for the remainder of park season and is based on the availability of funds.
Vermont Parks Forever extends a special thank you to the following donors for their commitment to this important program over the past 6 years:
The Alchemist Common Deer Cashdan/Stein Great Grandmother Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation Charles P. Ferro Foundation Outdoor Gear Exchange SCHIP
Vermont Mutual Insurance
Vermont-NEA
To see the full list of generous donors to the Park Access Fund or make a contribution visit vermontparksforever.org/park-access-fund.
