To Our JCRC Trail Users and Supporters,
We are providing this information to make you aware of a project we are doing at the trails. This project will look really messy, and we want our users to understand what is going on. There will be very limited impact on the trails, but when you see it, it will be surprising. We will install signs near the project areas, but this is a "heads up."
Jay Community Recreational Centre Balsam “Patches” Forest Life Cycle Assist
Current State April 2026
The health and longevity of our beloved balsam forest at the Jay Community Recreational Centre are declining. This 10 acre parcel fondly known as "the Tree Farm" was slated for a subdivision in the late 1970's, at which time tree harvest was discontinued. Since the March 2005 acquisition of the land by the town of Jay, these trees have served as wildlife habitat, shade for recreational trails and forest education outdoor classrooms for our communities' school children.
Our balsams are over 50 years old and are susceptible to damage. The old, unmanaged stands of trees have very shallow roots, resulting in the many blowdowns we see along the trails. Many of our balsams have been infected by witch's broom, the most conspicuous fungal disease of balsam fir.
Patch Planting Project Summer 2026 and beyond - Balsam “Patches” Forest Life Cycle Assist
With the help of our County Forester and support of Vermont Land Trust, the Town of Jay and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic River Community Grant, we want to "fast-forward" the Forest Life Cycle.
Process:
- Proactively fell some of the damaged balsams
- Leave them in place and plant young trees within the slash. The felled trees act as protective cover for the younger forest hardwood plantings, shielding them from deer grazing.
Location
One of these patches is located on the eastern side of a trail called Smooth Groove that heads north out of the field area.
The second patch is off Winter Wonderland in an area where we will be expanding an opening that was created by several trees blowing over. Both areas are quite small in size (less than 1/10th of an acre).
Considerations in locating the patches:
With help from students from Jay Westfield Joint Elementary School, tree growth, health and resiliency will be monitored over time in order to determine next steps.
Patch planting and small-scale patch cuts in Vermont are utilized to diversify forests, improve wildlife habitat, and boost climate resilience by encouraging regeneration. Small canopy gaps (roughly 0.1 to 1 acre) allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting native species growth while often outpacing deer browse (Vermont Woodlands & Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation.)
This work will look very “messy” afterwards, especially juxtaposed with the sterile understory that currently exists. A trail walk or ride will be organized this summer when the work is complete to help explain the project to trail users.
We are providing this information to make you aware of a project we are doing at the trails. This project will look really messy, and we want our users to understand what is going on. There will be very limited impact on the trails, but when you see it, it will be surprising. We will install signs near the project areas, but this is a "heads up."
Jay Community Recreational Centre Balsam “Patches” Forest Life Cycle Assist
Current State April 2026
The health and longevity of our beloved balsam forest at the Jay Community Recreational Centre are declining. This 10 acre parcel fondly known as "the Tree Farm" was slated for a subdivision in the late 1970's, at which time tree harvest was discontinued. Since the March 2005 acquisition of the land by the town of Jay, these trees have served as wildlife habitat, shade for recreational trails and forest education outdoor classrooms for our communities' school children.
Our balsams are over 50 years old and are susceptible to damage. The old, unmanaged stands of trees have very shallow roots, resulting in the many blowdowns we see along the trails. Many of our balsams have been infected by witch's broom, the most conspicuous fungal disease of balsam fir.
Patch Planting Project Summer 2026 and beyond - Balsam “Patches” Forest Life Cycle Assist
With the help of our County Forester and support of Vermont Land Trust, the Town of Jay and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic River Community Grant, we want to "fast-forward" the Forest Life Cycle.
Process:
- Proactively fell some of the damaged balsams
- Leave them in place and plant young trees within the slash. The felled trees act as protective cover for the younger forest hardwood plantings, shielding them from deer grazing.
Location
One of these patches is located on the eastern side of a trail called Smooth Groove that heads north out of the field area.
The second patch is off Winter Wonderland in an area where we will be expanding an opening that was created by several trees blowing over. Both areas are quite small in size (less than 1/10th of an acre).
Considerations in locating the patches:
- Areas with some existing regeneration and also some non-balsam fir trees that can be retained (not cut) within the patch,
- Areas that had fairly well-drained soil (this is relative, but mostly locations without indicators of very wet soil such as sensitive fern fronds),
- Areas with minimal disruption to trail use, but also visible to trails users to maintain educational opportunities,
- Areas with declining fir overstory.
With help from students from Jay Westfield Joint Elementary School, tree growth, health and resiliency will be monitored over time in order to determine next steps.
Patch planting and small-scale patch cuts in Vermont are utilized to diversify forests, improve wildlife habitat, and boost climate resilience by encouraging regeneration. Small canopy gaps (roughly 0.1 to 1 acre) allow sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting native species growth while often outpacing deer browse (Vermont Woodlands & Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation.)
This work will look very “messy” afterwards, especially juxtaposed with the sterile understory that currently exists. A trail walk or ride will be organized this summer when the work is complete to help explain the project to trail users.
OKTOBERFEST 2026 - CALL FOR VENDORS
| jcrc_2026_oktoberfest_vendor_form_3.pdf |
| vendor_map.pdf |
MEDIA RELEASE
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Outdoor Learning Area Sees Boost Thanks to VEC Community Fund Grant
For Immediate Release: September 18, 2018
Contact: Lisa Morris, Vermont Electric Co-op, 802-635-4222.
Photo caption/credit: The new gazebo at the new outdoor learning area at the Jay Community Recreational Centre. Students from the Jay/Westfield Elementary School will use the gazebo during their outdoor learning sessions particularly doing cold and rainy days. The Vermont Electric Co-op Community Fund recently awarded a grant to support the outdoor learning center. Photo courtesy Jay Community Recreational Centre.
Johnson, VT – A new outdoor learning area for the students of Jay/Westfield Elementary School, located at the Jay Community Recreational Centre (property owned by the Town of Jay) got a financial boost through a recent donation from the Vermont Electric Cooperative’s Community Fund.
The VEC Community Fund – supported solely through contributions from VEC members who choose to participate by donating their patronage capital, or rounding up their electric bills and donating the difference – is intended to strengthen the community by supporting organizations that promote community development and economic security. The concept underscores a basic cooperative principle of neighbor-helping-neighbor.
This VEC Community Fund grant of $750 was one of several donations supporting the construction of the learning area to support the goal of “no child left inside” and improving children’s health and fostering generations of children to care for an protect nature. The outdoor learning center will have rain or shine sessions loosely structured to allow both teachers and students to see what nature will teach them on any given day. VEC made the grant to the Jay Community Recreational Centre, which is managing the project.
About Vermont Electric Cooperative
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), established in 1938, is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable electric service to approximately 32,000 members in 75 communities in northern Vermont. Nationally recognized for innovative and advanced use of technology, VEC is the largest locally-owned electric distribution utility in Vermont.
The JCRC Picnic Area is set for summer! The meadow is mowed and grills are ready.
JCRC PICNIC – BARBECUING RULES
Stationary charcoal grills are available for all visitors. Please be careful when grilling. Be courteous to others and please clean the area fully before you leave.
General Rules
All coal and matches must be disposed of in designated black ash buckets located next to each charcoal grill. An ash scoop is provided for each ash bucket. Place ashes in ash bucket and cover with sand from the bucket. Each grill is to be left in a clean manner for use by the next person. Please do not place anything flammable in ash buckets. Use water to extinguish hot coals.
Thank You and Enjoy Your Time in Our Picnic Area
Jay Community Recreational Centre
Stationary charcoal grills are available for all visitors. Please be careful when grilling. Be courteous to others and please clean the area fully before you leave.
General Rules
- Fires permitted in JCRC supplied grills ONLY. Bring your own charcoal.
- Please clean grill(s) and grilling area after each use.
- Used charcoal MUST be fully cooled and disposed of in the fireproof containers available next to each charcoal grill.
- Never leave hot grill(s) unattended.
- Check the surrounding area for flammable debris.
- Supervise children around the hot grill.
- Please be courteous with your time if others are waiting to use the grill.
- Littering and dumping of debris
- Alcoholic beverages
- Glass containers
- Barbecuing in non-authorized areas
- Any type of open, ground, or camp fire
- Barbecuing by anyone 17 years old and younger
All coal and matches must be disposed of in designated black ash buckets located next to each charcoal grill. An ash scoop is provided for each ash bucket. Place ashes in ash bucket and cover with sand from the bucket. Each grill is to be left in a clean manner for use by the next person. Please do not place anything flammable in ash buckets. Use water to extinguish hot coals.
Thank You and Enjoy Your Time in Our Picnic Area
Jay Community Recreational Centre
OUR GAZEBO HAS MADE IT TO THE JCRC!
Our 2-Stall Handicapped Accessible Composting Privy has been Installed
Ongoing Fundraising
