The original concept for the Mad River Greenway was created by the
Mad River Path Association, a group of citizens who had a vision of
connecting The Valley towns through a system of public recreation paths,
where hikers, bikers, runners and more could travel The Valley floor
without being on Route 100.
In 1993, the idea of the greenway became a reality because of the
generosity of private landowners - the Neill and Spaulding families -
who were willing to open their land to the public free of charge. For
nearly 18 years, the Neill farm has hosted the Mad River Greenway on
their private land under an agreement crafted between the town of
Waitsfield, the MRPA and Elwin Neill Jr.
The agreement allowed the Neill farm to keep private ownership and
control of their land while giving the public free access to the Mad
River Greenway. The agreement included a clause that allowed Neill or
the town the right to cancel the agreement with 60 days notice.
Termination of the agreement causes the path to be closed after 60 days.
The east side of the greenway was constructed and cared for by a
collaboration of organizations - the MRPA, the town of Waitsfield, the
Mad River Ridge Runners (MRRR - the local chapter of the Vermont
Association of Snowmobile Travelers), the Mad River Valley Recreation
District (MRVRD) and many other community partners and volunteers.
As the primary organization responsible for the management of the
greenway, MRPA maintains a partnership with the Neill farm by caring for
the path and farm roads that comprise the recreation trail and by
addressing any landowner needs and concerns. On the greenway, those
concerns have often revolved around unleashed dogs and public
appreciation for the path.
Local ordinances require dogs to be leashed in public places, and the
MRPA accordingly asks dog owners to leash and pick up after their pets
out of respect to landowners. In recent years, MRPA has successfully
reached out to dog owners to collaborate on how to improve dog issues in
The Valley and on the path.
MRPA is currently partnered with 25 landowners in The Valley, who
generously host the Mad River Path on their private land via a license
agreement or through a permanent trail access easement. Each of these
landowners allows the Mad River Path and the public to cross their land
free of charge, knowing that MRPA will maintain the trails and trusting
the public will respect their private property.
In the last year, MRPA has worked closely with the Neill farm regarding
how to offer greater support and appreciation to landowners who are
willing to host the Mad River Path on their land. MRPA continues these
discussions with the Neill family and is working to find a resolution
that might keep the greenway open for public access.
MRPA continues to work toward their mission to build, maintain and
permanently protect the Mad River Path trail system from Warren to
Moretown; however, the future of the Greenway and the larger Mad River
Path for generations to come depends on support and appreciation from
the larger Mad River Valley community for this valuable resource. That
support can be as simple as leashing your dog on the path and cleaning
up dog waste or thanking local landowners when you see them around town
or joining as a member of the Mad River Path Association and other
organizations that make these recreation resources possible.
If you would like to express your support for the landowners who make
the greenway and the larger Mad River Path trail system possible, please
contact the Mad River Path Association at
Foushee is the director of the Mad River Path Association.
