Want to help make Bethel village safer for walking, biking and riding? Join Bethel for All and AARP Vermont for a walk and talk around the Peavine Boulevard Loop (about 5K). We’ll stroll and take a look at priority improvement areas and ideas for improving walkability, bikeability and accessibility in Bethel. Open to all ages and abilities.
Scroll down for full details, accommodations, volunteer time credits, and what to expect.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, April 27, 9-11 AM. The walk will take 90-120 minutes.
Rain plans: We will walk in dry weather or light rain, but may cancel for safety reasons if it is heavy rain. Please watch this page for an update if the forecast calls for rain.
Where: Meet at Bethel Town Hall, 134 Main Street, Bethel, Vermont. We’ll walk the Peavine Boulevard Loop (about 5K) and add a quick detour to the school. If you join late and want to meet us, or want to drive partway, our route is:
From Town Hall, head south on Main Street to “the wall.”
Turn south (right) on Rt. 107, pass under the railroad bridge, and take an immediate right on Peavine Boulevard.
Travel past Peavine Park and take the first right turn on Sand Hill Road.
Travel up Sand Hill Road (dirt road, steep hill up), stay to the right, and go down the other side.
At the bottom of the hill, take a left onto Pleasant Street and walk to the school. Turn around and walk back to the intersection with Church Street and Sand Hill Road.
Turn left on Church Street and walk back to the Town Hall.
What to wear/bring: Come dressed for the weather (sun, rain, wind, warmth, cold). Wear good walking shoes that can get muddy. Wear light colored, reflective clothing (we will provide safety vests). Bring a water bottle and you may want a small backpack.
Why: This event is all about getting outside, enjoying our town, and identifying ways to improve walking and biking. Your ideas will help define projects starting this spring. This is the final event in our walk survey series. We’ll be walking with Kelly Stoddard-Poor of AARP Vermont and discussing some of the key findings and themes from our other walks.
DIY Option (check out a kit)
Want to walk on your own or with a group of friends? Pick up a DIY kit and go when it’s convenient for you!
Check out a kit at the Bethel Public Library and go anytime you like, now through April 25. Library hours are Monday 2-7 PM, Wednesday 1-7 PM, and Thursday 1-7 PM.
Each kit contains instructions, forms, a clipboard and a pen. Choose a route to walk, take notes, and share your priorities.
Please wear bright or reflective clothing and stay safe!
Accommodations and Volunteer Credits
Accommodations
We welcome people of all ages and abilities and particularly encourage people with disabilities to join us. We will do our best to provide accommodations and flexible options at each event.
If you don’t want to walk, you can bike or drive between sites and meet the group at key locations.
If you need additional assistance or accommodations, please call the Town Office to request (234-9340) or email bethelvtstrong [@] gmail.com.
Bonus! Earn Volunteer Time Credits in the White River Time Exchange
We appreciate you volunteering your time to help make Bethel safer and more vibrant! As a thank you, we’re glad to offer time credits through the White River Time Exchange. You can use the credits to get free services or assistance from other neighbors with things like house or yard work, writing or website building, childcare or errands.
To get your credits:
Visit https://whiteriver.timebanks.org/ and create a free account. Once your account is approved, you can set up your profile.
If you come to a scheduled walk, give us your name at the end and we will record your time credit for you.
If you use a DIY kit and go on your own, contact us through the time exchange. Click “requests,” find Bethel for All’s walk survey request, and click “contact Bethel Strong / Bethel for All about this request.” Send us a message with the number of hours you volunteered and we will record the exchange.