Vermont State Parks Offer Free Access to Low-Income Families Through Expanded Program
Vermont is continuing its initiative to provide free access to state parks for low-income families through an expanded version of the Park Access Fund. This program, which has been in place since 2016, allows individuals and families who utilize services such as Reach Up, 3SquaresVT, Fuel Assistance, and others to enjoy unlimited day-use entry to state parks. The initiative is a collaboration between Vermont State Parks, the Department for Children and Families' Economic Services Division, and the Department of Health's WIC Program. A survey by Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business found that 75% of participants would not have been able to visit the parks without this program, and over 99% plan to use it again. The program runs from the end of May through October and does not include camping or equipment rentals. 
