Along The Edge Of Lake Champlain Lies Burlingtons Historic Oakledge Park

Burlington’s own Oakledge Park, located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, has tremendous features. It’s natural beauty impresses visitors. It is known for the first wheelchair accessible tree house, bike trails and Bocce Ball courts. The picnic pavilions, baseball diamonds and tennis courts define the park for many Burlington residents. Bathers use the cove as a swimming beach. The cliffs and rocky shoreline offer exciting diving opportunities.

It also has a fascinating and intriguing history. Students discovered the park’s story while learning through the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont program and shared it with the community. They began their inquiry with questions about the park’s development as a natural science project and uncovered archeological evidence of structures that existed years ago, significantly, the Oakledge Mansion and eight bungalows in the area. The kids pursued the story of the Webb Family farm and the Oakledge Mansion, contrasting the present with the past and the sensibility of the people in the past.

The remains of chimneys and foundations of seven or eight small bungalows that stood in the natural setting surrounding the Oakledge Mansion became known. This led to the uncovering of old photographs of structures in the area and the story of how the city bulldozed the mansion to make room for the roads and park structures. Aerial photos of the park forty years ago show the contrast with aerial photos today.

The exciting activities people enjoy in the park today have a historical context. Before the park’s development, people in the area enjoyed a much simpler way of life. They used the land differently than we use it. Today, experts consider natural issues as well as development issues when they make decisions. The history of the park can only enlighten them.

Much can be learned from the kids’ findings about how communities develop parks and what an asset Oakledge Park is to Burlington. With developed features like volleyball courts, walking trails and other features, we can only benefit. With such natural beauty and human history, Oakledge Park gives us an insight into managing our natural resources. Oakledge Park’s expansive space and significant features are a tremendous asset to the Burlington community.

via http://michaelblanchard.benchmark.us/2013/08/27/along-the-edge-of-lake-champlain-lies-burlingtons-historic-oakledge-park/