Kingdom Trails Expansion

Burke is not the only local entity to see change. Kingdom Trails, on a more positive note, will be adding a mile and a half of new dirt to its award winning trail system. On June 6th, National Trail Day, they will dedicate this new path in honor of Robert A. Burnham, a former interim president at Lyndon State College. Burnham Down, the new trails name, will connect Burke Mountain to the Village of Burke. Director Tim Tierney says the new trail will provide a much needed addition. The connection between the two locations will bring convenience and much easier access. However, eager peddlers have no need to wait until June to ride. Much of the trail system opened on May 1st. The only trails left closed are those located on the mountain, where lingering snow and moist soil create a situation that could damage both the trails and the riders. When asked whether the recent management changes at Burke may cause concerns for the trails system, Tierney emphatically said no. He feels they could easily re-route certain trails if location ever became a problem. Right now Kingdom Trails is focused on expansion and dedication to the existing system. This approach is working too. Tierney says they have seen about a twenty percent increase in daypass purchases every year for the past five years. He says this year should be no different.