Green Mountain United Way to Distribute 350 Park Access Coupons from Vermont Parks Forever

Green Mountain United Way is excited to announce that we have again received 350 Park Access coupons from Vermont Parks Forever. These hugely popular coupons allow free daytime admission to Vermont’s state parks.

The Park Access coupons received by Green Mountain United Way are made available on a first come, first served basis to Working Bridges™ participants. This program partners with Vermont employers to offer financial support services to employees, including financial coaching, income advance loans that rebuild credit, and coordination of public benefits. This means that some of Vermont’s working families, individuals, and their children will all have access to Vermont’s most special outdoor places, regardless of their financial resources.

Laurie Kelty, a resource coordinator with Green Mountain United Way’s Working Bridges program, has already handed out 75 of her allotted 100 Park Access coupons. They have been a popular item at her Working Bridges sites, such as the Darn Tough knitting mill in Northfield, Vermont.

“One guy got a pass for his family. He had been out fishing the weekend before, and it had cost them $10 to get into a state park, so he was super excited,” says Kelty.

“Another woman was going to a state park with her family that coming weekend, and so she was thrilled,” adds Kelty. “It’s a way for a family to have a nice little outing that doesn’t cost them much.”

Since 2016, Vermont Parks Forever has provided free park passes to thousands of Vermonters. In 2023, Vermont Parks Forever will partner with over 40 community groups in the state to provide more than 9,000 free days in the parks to Vermonters.

The Park Access coupons are granted to organizations around the state that are serving foster children and families, youth, front-line workers, those with developmental disabilities, BIPOC communities, new Americans, people seeking mental health support, and those with limited mobility. In this way, Vermont Parks Forever works to provide access to parks for everyone and to promote a more equitable outdoor experience.

“The Park Access Fund breaks down barriers for Vermonters who otherwise might not have the chance to experience all that Vermont State Parks have to offer,” says Sarah Alberghini Winters, executive director for Vermont Parks Forever. “The outdoors are for everyone, and this Fund helps those underrepresented in the outdoors enjoy all the benefits that come with time spent in the parks.”

Winters added, “We are grateful for the good work our community partners like Green Mountain United Way do for Vermonters and commend how they are bringing visits to the state parks into their programming.”

All state parks in Vermont are now open for day use for the season. A map of parks and services is available online at https://vtstateparks.com/index.html#parkFinderSec. Park Access coupon users can post about their outings on social media using the handle @vermontparksforever.

Park Access coupon holders are invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Groton Nature Center on Sunday, June 11 from 11am to 2pm at 1595 Boulder Beach Road in Groton, Vermont.