A planned, fully accessible pedestrian trail in the works. Construction slated for 2026.
Town/Region: Lunenburg, Vermont
Website: https://www.lunenburg-gilmanvt.gov/rtt-test
Trail Snapshot
| Length | Surface | Width |
|---|---|---|
| 3,380 feet (~0.64 miles) across four connected loops | Compacted crushed stone over geotextile cloth; two wooden bridges | Minimum 5 feet |
| Width | Cross Slope | Parking/Restrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Average slope ~5% with short sections up to 12% | 2–3% typical | 4 designated accessible parking spaces (two at each main loop start). The town secured grant funding to house an ADA portable toilet on site for 2025 season. |
| Trail Standards | Use | Map |
|---|---|---|
| Access Board Guidelines | Adaptive equipment, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, strollers, balance bikes | Draft map |
Imagining the Trail
The Fox Field & Forest Trail is a planned, fully accessible pedestrian trail at Fox Field, an 11-acre town-owned parcel in Lunenburg, Vermont. The property includes a restored soccer field, gravel parking area, tennis courts in need of repair, a small stream, and diverse forest habitat.
Once built, the trail will offer four loops that can be enjoyed individually or linked together, with features such as a historic stone wall, an old cellar hole, and views of the 2024 flood’s impact. Two bridge crossings are proposed over the property’s unnamed stream.
How the Trail Concept Came to Be
In 2024–2025, the Lunenburg-Gilman Outdoor Recreation, Trails, and Tourism Task Force identified an accessible pedestrian trail as a community priority. A public survey found 87.5% of respondents supported more walking, running, and jogging trails, with over 60% interested in nature and wildlife viewing.
The Task Force partnered with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA) through the Vermont Trails Accessibility Hub, funded by the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC). In June 2025, UVTA staff, Task Force Chair Kathryn Baxter, and community members walked the property to map a phased construction plan built to U.S. Access Board accessibility standards.
The concept design was shared with residents at the town’s Hello Summer event to gather feedback, incorporating ideas from both community members and a youth focus group.
View the Completed Trail Assessment
Partners
Lunenburg-Gilman Outdoor Recreation, Trails, and Tourism Task Force – Project lead
Upper Valley Trails Alliance (UVTA) – Design & accessibility assessment
Vermont Trails Accessibility Hub – Technical assistance & standards guidance
VOREC (Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative) – Funding source for planning phase
Town of Lunenburg – Landowner & permitting
Funding
As of late-2025, the project team is working on preparing proposals and securing construction funding. Volunteer labor, skilled equipment operators, and donated materials may help reduce costs. Timber and Stone LLC donated $1,500 as seed money for the Task Force this spring, which is set aside for trail building.
Design Highlights
- Four phases, each meeting accessibility standards when completed
- Two 32-foot accessible bridges over the property’s unnamed stream
- Parking upgrades with four accessible spaces
- Bench cuts and switchbacks in steeper sections to maintain grade standards
- Local quarry stone specified for base and surface layers
- Potential interpretive signage for natural and historic features (to be confirmed in final build)
- Phase 4 proposes a bridge connection to the outdoor classroom and former middle school building, dependent on the building’s future use
Key Learning: Phased Approach & Community Input
Phased construction offers small towns a manageable path to creating accessible trails that meet high technical standards. Combining community-driven design with professional guidance helps align the project with both local priorities and national accessibility guidelines.
