NEWPORT — Visitors to Newport’s Bluffside Farm will be greeted with several new signs and kiosks recently installed by the Vermont Land Trust.
A large sign on Scott Farm Road welcomes visitors in English, Abenaki and French.
A kiosk at the start of the pedestrian trail networks offers a map and tells the history of the land, including its importance to the Abenaki people and its stewardship as a farm by the Scott family.
A smaller kiosk, also with a map, informs visitors about the multi-use recreation trail that connects the farm to Prouty Beach.
“We’re excited for the community to see these new signs,” said Dan Kilborn, lands director for the Vermont Land Trust. “Walkers, bikers, skiers and community gardeners – all the people who visit Bluffside from near and far – should find the new signage helpful as they explore and enjoy the land.”
The kiosks also have QR codes so people can look up additional helpful information on their cell phones, such as updated winter trails map published by Memphremagog Trails.
These ski trails meander through much of the farm and are now open.
Additional educational signs will be installed in the spring.
These will tell the story of the wetland restoration along the recreation path and help visitors identify wetland plants that were planted in partnership with local Abenaki citizens.
The Vermont Land Trust bought the property seven years ago this month and opened the land to the public at that time.
The signs are part of continued improvements. VLT has invited area schools to host outdoor educational programs and added community gardens.
Most recently, a one-mile-long ADA-accessible trail was completed in 2021 and earlier this year, significant work happened to restore a wetland and improve habitat.
