Overlook Park and the Woodside Natural Area, also known as 68 Acres, are part of the Winooski Valley Park District and cover 58 acres south of Route 15 across from Fort Ethan Allen bordering the Winooski River. A small picnic area is available just off Woodside Drive at Overlook Park.
A loop trail circles Woodside Natural Area, passing near the river at several points. The trail is open to the public for non-motorized recreational uses such as hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and running. Towering cottonwoods and a dense cover of ostrich fern are abundant along the floodplain containing the park. The forest at the east end of the park has a closed canopy of large diameter cottonwood and green ash. A sub canopy of box elder completes the structure of this classic floodplain forest. A marshy backwater swamp active with beaver and bird life adds diversity to the landscape.
Features of this trail include:
Park Rules:
Visit Winooski Valley Park District or Town of Essex online for more information or contact:
Take Route 15 east past St. Michael's College. Opposite the West Dalton Drive entrance to Fort Ethan Allen, turn off Route 15 onto Woodside Drive. Overlook Park is just off Woodside Drive on the left. The trailhead and parking for Woodside Natural Area is 0.25 miles down Woodside Drive on the right.
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