Ronald Kelley photo. Milford & Eric christening boat.
Vermont Business Magazine Green River Reservoir State Park has received a generous donation of a new Esquif cargo canoe, equipped with a Torqeedo electric outboard motor and battery system from The Friends of Green River Reservoir State Park. This gift is a vital contribution to the park’s operations and will help protect its remote and ecologically sensitive environment.
Green River Reservoir is a paddle-only park known for its undeveloped shoreline, remote campsites, and focus on low-impact recreation. Visitors cherish the wilderness-like feel, quiet coves, opportunities to observe nesting loons, and peaceful paddle-in camping experiences. The new canoe replaces an aging gas-powered craft, enabling park staff to patrol and maintain the reservoir while staying aligned with its conservation-centered mission.
The Friends of Green River Reservoir State Park have partnered with Vermont State Parks to enhance Green River Reservoir since 1999. The Friends group stewards the park through volunteer projects and fundraising efforts for capital improvements in the park. Previous projects include publishing a nature field guide for the area, funding the construction of the contact station, providing wildlife-resistant food lockers, and planning an ADA accessible trail to the reservoir.
The donation of the canoe is part of their shared commitment to stewardship, sustainability, and the enduring value of Vermont’s quiet waterways. To celebrate this generous gift, park staff and leaders from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation gathered with the Friends at a lakeside ceremony for the vessel’s formal dedication.
“The Friends’ gift will allow us to better support the operations of the park, while avoiding the noise and pollution of a gasoline-powered engine,” said Nick Caputo, Northeast Parks Regional Manager. “We’re deeply grateful for their ongoing partnership.”
This donation underscores the vital role that private support plays in enhancing Vermont’s public lands. Learn more about the Friends of Green River Reservoir. Learn about other ways to contribute to Vermont State Parks through Vermont Parks Forever.
Sheila Goss photo.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Montpelier, Website.
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