FALL PROGRAM BROCHURE AVAILABLE ONLINE:
Check out our new fall program guide chock-full of activities for all ages and interests.  The brochure will be inserted in the September North Avenue News or click here to download it now.  Registrations now being accepted for all fall programs.

BATTERY PARK EXTENSION PROJECT COMPLETE:
The City of Burlington has announced the completion of the "Battery Street Extension" project along the west side of Battery Street between Battery Park and College Street. The project is a key element of the City's efforts to improve access to the waterfront area.

Improvements to the park include a fully accessible 10 foot wide concrete path, additional seating, new lighting, trash receptacles, public art, and improved pedestrian access from Battery Street at the Cherry Street intersection.  The project also addresses long standing drainage problems in the area, by improving stormwater management practices.

The total construction cost for this project was $380,000 with funds provided from numerous sources: Federal transportation funds secured with the support of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), an Enhancement Grant from the State of Vermont, development impact fees and the Vermont Downtown Program.

Additional improvements to College Street and access to the Boathouse and Waterfront Park are already scheduled to begin this fall, while planning has begun to improve access to the northern portions of the waterfront. Stormwater upgrades to the College Street area are also planned.

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT PLANNED FOR ETHAN ALLEN PARK:
Jon Flint, a Boy Scout from Troop 50 in Burlington, has begun working on his Eagle Project, which focuses on improvements to the pinnacle area at Ethan Allen Park.  The first phase of  the plan focuses on reopening and highlighting the breathtaking views from the Pinnacle across Lake Champlain. The second phase will include repainting, repairing, and restoring the gazebo located at the Pinnacle. A rock garden will be planted beside the gazebo, and two benches will be installed overlooking the vista. This vision will become a reality through help from our community and Jon is seeking assistance in the following ways:

1. Make a check out to "Jonathan Flint- Eagle Project" and send it/drop it off at 33 Tracy Dr., Burlington, VT 05408. A gift of any amount will help.

2. Groundbreaking will be Saturday, August 23 and help is needed with power washing, patching, and painting the gazebo, and cleaning up around the Pinnacle- there's a job for all ages and abilities! Email Jon at jon.j.flint@gmail.com to volunteer.

3. All the materials for this project need to be donated or purchased, so donations of (or good prices on) slate, perennials (dwarf juniper, spruce, pine, and arborvitae), mulch, top soil, or paint are all needed.  Email or call Jon if you can contribute in this way.

ARMORY RENOVATION PROJECT UNDERWAY:
Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss hosted an event on August 1 marking the beginning of construction on the Gosse Court Armory project.  The Gosse Court Armory was built in 1956 by the State of Vermont and was originally used as a training site by the Vermont National Guard.  The State transferred the building and the land it sits on to the City in August, 2005, for a sum of $1, for the purpose of using it as a community recreation center.  In March of 2005, Burlington voters approved an increase in capital funding of $250,000 per year, with the first four years dedicated to the Armory project as well as renovations at Leddy Arena.

In 2005, the City Council appointed a citizen-committee to develop a re-use plan for the Armory.  The initial plan estimated a $2 million renovation cost.  With $720,000 in funding available from the March 2005 bond, a second citizen committee chaired by John Ewing was formed to look at how to bridge the funding gap and bring the project costs down.  The revised plan had an estimated cost of $1,270,000.

Robert Miller, President of R.E.M. Development Company, agreed to donate his time to manage the project and act as the general contractor in order to hold costs down.  The combination of Mr. Miller's in-kind donation, a substantial private contribution, and the existing City bond funds has allowed the project to move forward to the construction phase.  The estimated completion date of the project is sometime in October of 2008.

The project will bring a multi-use Community Center with gym space, large meeting room, a teen center and other multi-purpose space to the North end of Burlington.  It will offer programs and other recreational opportunities for people of all ages, with the potential to lease some of the space for commercial uses.  Burlington's Parks and Recreation Department will manage the building.

BURLINGTON PARKS & RECREATION - SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:
Click here to check out our PowerPoint slide show and to see the many different experiences and recreation opportunities we offer for people of all ages and interests!

WATER QUALITY TESTING UNDERWAY AT BURLINGTON BEACHES:
Beginning June 23 water quality testing will be completed twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays at North Beach, Leddy, Oakledge and Blanchard beaches, with results available on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Any beach closings will be posted on this site.  Additional information on testing can be found at www.burlingtonecoinfo.net.

BOCCE IN BURLINGTON:
Sunday Bocce Socials, Sundays June 15 - August 24, 12pm-4pm at the Oakledge Bocce Courts.  Come out and learn about the game of bocce and how to play the game using the new bocce courts at Oakledge Park. Sponsored by the Burlington Bocce Club.

ONLINE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE!:
We are pleased to announce a quick, easy and convenient way to register for most Burlington Parks and Recreation programs online! Click the Register button on the left side of any web page to get to the WebTrac site where visitors can view program details and register and pay for classes online!  If you have any questions about online registrations, please call our office at 864-0123.