Mr. Winston had also planned to build ski lodges and maybe even a grocery store.
At one time the Alpine Development Company, Inc. owned the land above Blueberry Lake known as plat H - Block 10, which today is National Forest property. That is where the ski trails were planned. Two gentlemen purchased the Alpine Development Company from Larry Winston, the heir and son of John, in 1995. Then in 1996 one bought the other out and transferred all property by deed, tangible and intangible, to the newly formed Alpine Village Land Trust, a Vermont nonprofit corporation (AVLT). The deed is recorded in the Town of Warren Land Records (Book 112, Page 593).
Alpine Village was rezoned to have its own district, the Alpine Village Residential (AVR), which turned out great because it designated Alpine Village as a residential and recreational area. On October 11, 1999, the AVLT dedicated an easement by deed to the general public for a biking route known as the Alpine Bike Way and recorded in Book 130, Page 170.
The route is marked for travel over private development roads from Prickly Mountain through Alpine Village down to Plunkton Road. It is also noted on The Valley map and is a pleasant ride especially this time of year. Again, these are private subdivision roads and the maintenance is done by the residents and there is an easement for bicycling and hiking on this route, but general thoroughfare activities are discouraged.
On a final note, it is the consensus of the trustees of the AVLT to dedicate the Alpine Bike Way as a bird nesting sanctuary and plans to erect nesting boxes along the route in the coming year in recognition of Alpine Village's 50th year anniversary.
Shivo is chair of the Alpine Village Land Trust.
