The pond at Fayston’s Boyce Hill municipal forest now has improved access thanks to a collaborative stewardship project.
The new 15-step stone staircase was installed at the pond on Boyce Hill in June by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s (NFCT) stewardship crew, which partnered with the Fayston Conservation Commission to bring the project to life. The work was part of the NFCT’s early season training with its stewardship interns.
“On behalf of the Fayston Conservation Commission and the countless people and pets who recreate at Boyce Hill, we want to express our enormous gratitude to the NFCT for the work they did for all of us,” said Woody Dugan, a representative of the Fayston Conservation Commission.
“In addition to the beautiful staircase the crew created for the comfort, convenience, and aesthetic pleasure of visitors to the pond, the stairs provide environmental benefits, too, by limiting bank erosion and even creating some additional shelter for fish and amphibians. The NFCT’s crew even found the energy to construct some water bars on a nearby trail that has suffered from severe weather events in recent summers. Everything is performing wonderfully, and it’s hard to fully express our joy over the good fortune and serendipity of partnering with the NFCT on this vital project,” he said.
“This pond is a beloved swim hole and recreation area,” said Alex Delhagen, the NFCT’s assistant trail director. “The project was a great opportunity for our crew to practice its stonework skills early in the season, and a way for us to give back to the local community where our headquarters are located. We hope folks will enjoy the easier access to this local gem.”
The small pond on Boyce Hill overlooks Sugarbush, Mad River Glen and Burnt Rock. It provides families, dogs, and hikers with a refreshing reprieve from the summer heat.
As the only dedicated water trail crew in the Northeast, the NFCT’s stewardship crew specializes in projects at the interface of land and water, including campsites, portage trails and access points. The NFCT’s roving crew works in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine throughout the paddling season; a second crew is based in the Allagash.
To learn more about the NFCT’s stewardship work, including volunteer opportunities, contact Trail Director Noah Pollock at
