Vermont Parks Forever Welcomes 2025 Grant Applications for Free Days in the State Parks for Community Organizations through the Park Access Fund

Vermont’s state parks are for everyone!

6 children sitting on a boulder overlooking a scenic vista of green trees, mountains, and a vibrant blue sky with puffy white clouds. — Vermont Department of Children and Families, Park Access grantee since 2016

MONTPELIER, VT — Vermont Parks Forever is excited to announce its Park Access Fund Grant Application is open for 2025. Since 2016, Vermont Parks Forever has granted over $85,000 to cover park entry fees and help create a more equitable outdoor experience throughout the state. This year, the Park Access Fund will again provide over 14,000 free days in the parks to community partners across Vermont.

Organizations serving Vermonters facing barriers to outdoor experiences can apply for a Park Access Grant at https://www.vermontparksforever.org/park-access-fund. The deadline for this short application is April 11, 2025. The Park Access Grant is open to Vermont government agencies and non-profits with 501(c)(3) status serving Vermont.

“The Park Access Fund breaks down barriers for Vermonters who otherwise might not experience all that Vermont State Parks have to offer. The Fund provides free state park day passes to community partner organizations helping foster families, youth programs, those with developmental disabilities, BIPOC communities, new Americans, mental health clients, and those with limited mobility, among others, enjoy all the benefits that come with time spent in the parks,” says Vermont Parks Forever’s Executive Director, Sarah Alberghini Winters. She added, “We are grateful for the good work our community partners do throughout Vermont and commend their efforts to integrate visits to the state parks into their programming. Everyone benefits from time spent in Vermont's beautiful outdoors!”

To read about the impact the 2024 Park Access Fund had on Vermonters, visit: https://www.vermontparksforever.org/park-access-fund.

Vermont Parks Forever extends a special thank you to the following donors for their recent commitment to this important program:

The Alchemist

BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont

Cashdan/Stein Great Grandmother Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation

The Charles P. Ferro Foundation

Chroma Technology

Common Deer

Consolidated Communications

EastRise Credit Union

Kennedy Excavation, LLC

McCormick, Fitzpatrick, Kasper & Burchard, PC