Fill up a glass of water anywhere around Montpelier, and you can give a nod of thanks to this protected land around Berlin Pond. The source of drinking water for thousands of people in Central Vermont, the ridge here was slated to become a granite quarry and luxury subdivision. Instead, Vermont River Conservancy worked to buy three parcels here totaling nearly 550 acres, key progress towards what is now a nearly 1,000-acre protected area.
More than a protected water supply, it’s protection for unique forests, wetlands, and open waters amidst highly-developed urban areas nearby. It’s an oasis of forests, cedar swamps, and beaver meadows, and houses at least six large woodland vernal pools. Closed to motor boats, the undeveloped shoreline of Berlin Pond provides key habitat for Common Loon, Pied-billed Grebe, Sora, Goshaw, which has earned it a spot on National Audubon’s list of Important Bird Areas.
Finally, the area is popular among hikers, with a network of trails open to hikers year-round, as well as some mountain bike areas open May 15 – November 1. See Berlin’s Irish Hill Trails website for more detailed trail information and recreation maps.
Explore the Spanish-language video featuring this site here.
This project made possible thanks to the support and partnership of:
From I-89 take Exit 7 (Highway 62 east). Go right at the first light onto Paine Turnpike and drive one block to “Berlin Corners” (the intersection of Paine Turnpike and Crosstown Road). At Berlin Corners, turn right (west) onto Crosstown Road. Drive under the I-89 overpass and immediately turn left onto Paine Turnpike South. Quickly take a gentle right onto Brookfield Road, and drive about 1-mile to the parking area on the right. Trails begin on the right side of the road.
