Jay Community Recreational Centre
Known prior to 1/2/2012 as
Jay Community Land Trust
known prior to 10/2008 as
Jay Land Group
 
Management Plan Revised August 2017
 

Purpose
            A.  Goal of the JCRC Management Plan
  • To promote the health and well-being of the community of Jay through the protection of forest resources, wildlife habitat, recreational and educational opportunities, and other natural resources on the Protected Property for present and future generations.
    B. History
  • The Vermont Land Trust developed the project in November, 2004 in order to protect the Chimento and Jay Land Group properties, considered the top conservation priority in the Town of Jay.
  • The Vermont Land Trust received a $100,000 grant from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to transfer the land to the town for use as a recreational area.
  • The Town of Jay took fee title to the property on or before March 2005.
  • The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and the Vermont Land Trust are
  • The Town of Jay Land Group took the lead in drafting the Interim anagement Plan, in consultation with the Vermont Land Trust, and will be primarily responsible for implementing the management of the property. The Town’s Selectboard was authorized to make decisions concerning the property.
  • The land was renamed Jay Community Land Trust in October 2008,
    Background
                The Town of Jay is has undergone pressure from ski-area related development and supports the conservation of open space in this growing community.  There is great interest in the community for developing a town-wide recreational trail system, which would be anchored in these two fee-owned parcels.  Prior to the transfer of a portion of land to Gilman Housing Trust, the Town of Jay also did not have any affordable housing, which is becoming increasingly important in this ski area community.  The Town of Jay could not afford to acquire recreational land on its own.  This acquisition represents a wonderful opportunity to secure public recreational lands for the Jay community    .
C. Responsibilities
  • The Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and the Vermont Land Trust are tenants in common, and forever hold the development rights, perpetual conservation easement restrictions, and public access easement in the Protected Property. The Town of Jay and the Jay Community Recreational Centre Committee, in consultation with the Vermont Land Trust, will be primarily responsible for implementing the management of the property.
  • The Town’s Selectboard is authorized to make decisions concerning the property, upon recommendation of the Jay Community Recreational Centre Committee.
  • The original plan was developed by the Jay Land Group Committee with consultation from the Vermont Land Trust (VLT).
  • Any changes to the Management Plan will be made by the committee, VLT, and VCHB and then recommended to the Selectboard for adoption.
  • Contacts:
  • Vermont Land Trust Contact: Bruce Urie: 748-6089 or Tracy Zschau
  • JCRC Contact: Sally Rivard, Chair
  • Jay Land Trust Original Agreement Contact: Chris Young
  • Original agreement contact: Town Clerk Emeline Harmon
  • Current agreement contact: Town Clerk Lynette Deatte: 988-2996
 
General Description of Property
The Town land acquired through the Vermont Land Trust is comprised of 2 separate parcels: the Cross Road Property and the former Chimento Land. The properties include multiple resource attributes (see attached map).  Approximately two-thirds of the Jay Community Recreational Centre property is mapped as deer wintering area.  The Cross Road property also includes 38 acres of prime and 10 acres of statewide important agricultural soils, currently planted in Christmas trees. 
 
The former Chimento Land is located on the access road to Jay Peak, approximately one mile from the ski area.  Both the Chimento and Cross Road properties are ideally located for recreational use by community members. A perpetual conservation easement will protect the two properties, securing permanent public access and ensuring town management for educational, recreational, and forestry uses.
 
The former Jay Group land (the Cross Road property) was slated for a 58-lot subdivision in the 1970s that never came to fruition.  The western two-thirds of the property is wooded and mapped as deer wintering area.  This area of the property also includes several small streams and a small wetland area on the western boundary. The eastern one-third of the land is relatively flat, mapped as prime and statewide agricultural soils.  This area has 1,400 feet of frontage on Cross Road and is relatively close to the village center and the Jay Westfield Elementary School.  This area will be managed by the Town as forestry and wildlife habitat with recreational trails interspersed throughout. The Catamount Trail Association will hold a permanent easement across the property for a new section of the Catamount cross-country ski trail.
 
Gates and Boundary Marking and Posting
The Cross Road property has a gated entrance to the Christmas tree area - the largest and most accessible section of the land. There is a second entrance to the 247-acre property on Sargent’s Way, which is included in the deed as a ROW through the Gilman Housing development and will include parking for public access.  The boundaries of the land are
ot clearly delineated at this time.  Neighbors will be contacted regarding the plan as well as boundaries to determine whether a survey is necessary, and if so, the timetable for completing one.
 
The Chimento Property currently has access only off Route 242. This access is steep and does not include any room for parking.  The access issues on this parcel will be addressed through conversations with abutting landowners.  The boundaries of that land are not clearly delineated either, and may require a survey.
 
There is an open Act 250 permit on the Jay Community Recreational Centre lands. Although the acquisition of the land through the Vermont Land Trust does not allow for development of the JCRC, since some of the property was developed by Gilman Housing, we cannot ask for an abandonment of the Act 250 permit, which is transferred from landowner to landowner indefinitely-(As per consultation with Kirsten Sultan, ANR 2017). In general, any new activities and/or construction, depending upon specific project and location, may be considered a “Material Change” and may require amendments to the Act 250 permit. Consultation with ANR will be made in the event of any new activities and/or construction.
 
Current Physical Improvements to Property
At the time of acquisition, there were no physical improvements to the Jay Community Recreational Centre-Cross Road property except for existing trails that were used for the Christmas tree operation, and a small parking area on Cross Road. The Chimento property did not and currently does not have any physical improvements.
 
Description of Proposed Physical Improvements to Property
In the Conservation Easement, the properties are zoned for different types and intensity of uses: Parking Zone, Recreation Zone, and Forest and Trail Zone (see attached map).
  • Vegetation buffers along stream corridors or shoreline will be encouraged.
  • Use of pesticides and fertilizers on turf areas will be limited.
  • Occasional community events with temporary lighting, restrooms, etc.
 
Completed as of December 2011
  • Revise Management Plan
  • Develop Site Plan
  • Create 10 parking spaces for winter parking
  • Develop and implement fundraisers
  • Educational Land Management collaboration with North Country Career Center
  • Sign at Cross Road Entrance
 
Completed as of June 2017
  • Installed steel bridge over river
  • Created picnic area with grills, tables and benches
  • Created Tree of Life picnic area
  • Established partnership with Grateful Treads for trail mapping and trail development
 
1 - 5 year Plan
  • Establish collaboration between JCRC and Jay Westfield Elementary School to develop Outdoor Learning Areas for educational opportunities 
  • Develop a Concept Map and Trail Design Plan for the property to guide trail development
  • Install a moldering privy/outhouse on Christmas Tree Farm section
  • Apply for Grants as needed to carry out Concept Map and Trail Design Plans
  • Maintain existing trails
  • Develop a maintenance plan and budget
  • Progression Park – Update signage as needed
  • Install steel gate at the Cross Road entrance with a side opening just wide enough for bikers and hikers
  • Install 2 rain barrels for sanitation for the Jay/Westfield Elementary School outdoor learning areas
 
5 – 10 year Plan
  • Maintain existing trails
  • Establish new multi-use trails as per Concept Map and Trail Design Plan
  • Install any additional bridges across the river as per the Concept Map and Trail Design Plan
  • Develop and implement fundraisers as needed
 
Long-term Plan
  • Expand parking area for summer activities
  • Establish opportunities for Educational Land Management
  • Build pavilion, warming hut, restrooms, storage, with solar or wind powered lighting
  • Host Community Events/ Festivals
 
Natural Features Inventory
The natural features of the property may be inventoried and the information used to adjust Management Plan recommendations in the future.
 
Management Plan Update
  • New information gathered as a result of the Natural Features Inventory and other research will be added to the Management Plan.
  • Jay Community Recreational Centre Committee will submit updates to the Town Select Board yearly.
  • Public input will be ensured though a series of warned public meetings.
  • The Management Plan will be reviewed at least every five years for updates, revisions and amendments.
  • The Management Plan will be amended after any major changes to the property.
Jay Community Recreational Centre Management Plan

Jay Community Recreational Centre’s Management Plan details the strategies to achieve our goals and is supported by a five-year action plan, the implementation of which is already underway. This Plan also defines our mission, values and benchmarks that we will use to measure our success.  Most importantly, this Management Plan clarifies our commitment to land conservation in the greater Jay community.
 
To accomplish our land protection and stewardship goals, JCRC must be a strong organization with excellent leadership, skilled management, and sustainable funding.
 
To guide our work and respond to the challenges before us, this Management Plan articulates four specific goals:
 
1.      STEWARDSHIP: JCRC properties are sustainably managed to maintain and enhance their conservation values. JCRC properties are town owned, and we encourage their use and enjoyment by the community. Caring for conserved land is a forever job -- one which we take very seriously and enjoy.
 
2.      FUNDRAISING:  JCRC seeks sufficient funds to meet its trail and trailhead development goals, respond to community recreational needs, fulfill its perpetual stewardship obligations, and support annual operations.
 
3.      SOLID COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COLLABORATIONS:  Effective collaborative efforts with people and systems throughout the community provide direction, resources, opportunities for learning, collaboration and interaction, and follow-through to implement JCRC’s mission.
 
4.         DEDICATION: This plan is dedicated to the greater Jay community and the generous supporters of the JCRC. Conserved lands and the activities they offer, are the snap shots community members and visitors alike choose as their “take-home message.”
 
OUR VISION
The Jay Community Recreational Centre seeks to protect and enhance outdoor recreational activities and Jay’s landscape forever, and for the benefit of all. Our vision for the future is, Jay is a beautiful and healthy place with exceptional free recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.
 
OUR MISSION
JCRC is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of the community of Jay through the protection and conservation of forest resources, wildlife habitat, low cost recreational and educational opportunities, and other natural resources on the Protected Property for present and future generations.
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Jay’s natural beauty is a fundamental force that defines our sense of place. Undeveloped, open and forested spaces maintain Jay’s authenticity and rural New England character. It is this unique landscape that lends inspiration to our daily lives, provides a myriad of outdoor recreation opportunities, and draws visitors from far and wide. Conserved lands and the activities they offer, are the snap shots community members and visitors alike choose to remember and return.
 
Changes to the Jay landscape over the coming decades will define our community into the future. This document is an overview of a plan designed to guide our JCRC land protection activities, so that our community can continue to thrive as a great place to live, work, recreate, and raise families. The plan defines a shared vision for land protection at JCRC, and effective, efficient systems to realize the vision.
RECREATION
The JCRC property on the Cross Road is a 240+ acre parcel of former Christmas Tree Farm and forested land. It is a primary goal that the trails and activities located on the property be 4-season and multi-use.  A second goal is to help protect and establish connections between existing trail networks and recreational hubs. Critical corridors include: between the Catamount Trail and the JCRC, Jay Peak and the JCRC, including the linkage to Montgomery.
 
GOAL
The essential character and function of the JCRC is to conserve and protect these properties; thereby creating a 4-season community recreational area with multi-use public access to and between other community recreation areas.
 
RECREATION PRIORITIES
Maintain existing trail networks and connections between them. Establish community features such as outhouses, under-cover area and trail features. Develop a clear plan for the future management of trails, facilities and public access.
 
STRATEGIES
Collaborate with recreation partners to participate in local trail and recreation planning initiatives. Continue to support the sound management of JCRC’s existing protected trails and recreation features.
 
JCRC—A CALL TO ACTION
Thanks to the support of many, we have successfully worked nearly 15 years to improve a free 4-season, multi-use recreational opportunities for our community. With this updated JCRC Management Plan, the JCRC continues our trail development and stewardship work. We invite you to join us today. Together, we can protect our landscape and continue to provide a variety of recreational opportunities for the benefit of all. We invite you to:
 
  • Share your ideas and suggestions
  • Become a JCRC volunteer
  • Donate or give a gift
  • Volunteer
     
Share Your Stories
Do you have a personal story about how Jay Community Recreational Centre has made a difference in your life? Perhaps a memorable hike, meaningful time with family, a life-changing event, or a reason why you visited, moved, or stayed here. Your stories - all of them - add up to why we do this important land conservation work. So please share them with us. Whether several words, a few paragraphs, or a photo, we want to hear from you. Thanks for sharing your story!
JCRC EMAIL ADDRESS:   [email protected]