When the Mad River Path Association was started in the late 1980s, I was
delighted, believing that the area would soon have a network of
footpaths open for public use. At the time, I was too involved with my
business to consider active participation, but on retiring a few years
ago, I was privileged to be accepted as a member of the board of
directors. The experience has been eye-opening.
In a little over 20 years, the organization has accomplished a great
deal thanks to the dedication of dozens of individuals and the willing
participation and generosity of understanding landowners - yet we only
have about 12 miles of active pathway.
Convincing private landowners of the value of a path system to the
resident community and the benefit to the myriad of visitors that The
Valley hosts every year is not difficult. Convincing them to share a
portion of their land is the hurdle, and the MRPA truly understands the
many reasons why this is such a difficult decision to make.
But the fact is that without private landowners committing to work with
the MRPA, we will not reach our goal of connecting the towns, schools,
businesses and special places of the Mad River Valley with public
pathways. The private landowner is the crucial element, and it is
imperative that they have our full appreciation for their generosity and
that when on their land we respect their land, their property, their
requests and their privacy.
Without private individuals providing access and the public appreciating
and respecting that gift, the dream of a Valleywide footpath system
cannot be realized.
Mike Ware
MRPA board member
Waitsfield
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