Recommended updates to an aquatic entry point
Town/Region: Essex, Vermont
Website: https://www.trailforks.com/region/indian-brook-park-60494/?activitytype=1&z=13.7&lat=44.53932&lon=-73.10062&content=trails,labels,region,poi,directory,polygon,waypoint,nst,routes_featured
Access Point Snapshot
| Distance to Water | Water Access/Put-in Areas | Slope at Entry Point |
|---|---|---|
| 70 feet from the parking area | Two put in areas for water access. Trails leading to the water are narrow and need to be hardened. Trail corridor is quiet and shaded. | Gentle grades, but trail has small dips that need to be filled in or bridged. Main boat launch slope is very steep. Second launch area features a relatively flat trail (5% grade). |
| Adaptive Use | Parking/Restrooms | Area Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Non-motorized boat launch | Spacious parking lot with one signed handicapped parking space. There is a non-accessible portable toilet on-site (as of September 2024). | Reservoir Area map |
About the Trails
Indian Brook is located in Essex and is considered the crown jewel of the area. The 60-acre reservoir sits within a 740-acre community park and also features trails, a non-motorized boat launch, picnic areas, and parking. An ideal location to fish, hike, or horseback ride. The park is bordered to the northwest by over 600 acres of Winooski Valley Park District land, including Colchester Pond.
Recommended Updates
An accessibility assessment was completed in 2024 by The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) and Vermont Adaptive, as part of a statewide accessibility initiative, and a series of site visits to assess the current accessibility of seven different water access locations in the Winooski Valley. The goal of the site visit was to evaluate the conditions, collect information, and develop recommendations for improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
Several refinements were recommended to improve access and accommodations for people with disabilities. The recommended updates include the following areas:
- Parking & Wayfinding — Move the accessible parking space five feet to the left to provide more room for unloading. Add a “No Parking” sign next to the accessible parking space to ensure the space remains clear for those with disabilities. Improve wayfinding signage on the road leading to the site to make it easier for visitors to locate the accessible parking area.
- Restrooms — Replace the existing portable toilet with an accessible version, and ensure it is located near the accessible parking space for convenience.
- Trail Improvements — Pave the trail leading to the accessible put-in area with compacted gravel, filling in the small dips and creating a smooth, level surface. Clear branches and brush from the trail corridor to ensure a wide, unobstructed path.
- Put-in Modifications — Remove rocks from both the beach and the water at the put-in area to create a more accessible water entry point. Install a water bar to divert the small stream that currently seeps into the put-in. Consider adding a bit of sand to the put-in area to further level the surface and improve the ease of access.
- Signage Enhancements — Add signage to clearly indicate the trail is accessible, and generally improve the clarity and visibility of signage around the site to enhance the overall accessibility experience.
View the Completed Accessibility Assessment
*Indian Brook was one of several sites evaluated in the Winooski Valley Accessibility Assessments. The report includes all of the evaluated sites.
Partners
Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub partners:
Funding
Grant funding for the trail assessment: Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub
Key Learning: Simple Improvements Will Produce Effective Changes
Improving accessibility at Indian Brook complements the town’s planned work for an accessible hiking trail in the area. Planning needs to be intentional with community partners and buy-in from the rest of the community. Simple improvements, such as installing a gravel access trail, a transfer bench, and an ADA-accessible privy, will not be expensive and do not require over-engineering to be effective.
