Burlington--Dog River Park in Northfield was among several projects that was recognized recently by the Vermont Public Places Awards program.

The biennial awards program honors projects that promote positive public uses and benefits by creating, preserving or enhancing exterior or interior public space, green corridors and networks of spaces. Nominated projects can be either completed or in the conceptual or master plan stage and may include components such as community or transportation planning, public recreation, historic preservation or urban and community forestry, among others.

Dog River Park received a Merit Award, based on design work and plans prepared by SLR Consulting, Waterbury, in conjunction with GPI Construction, Brattleboro, and assistance from the Friends of the Winooski River, Norwich University Art and Architecture students, Northfield High School Class of 1957 and the entire community. It will be recognized in a special online ceremony on June 8 at 7 p.m. along with the other winning projects.

The town created the park on floodplain land purchased by FEMA after flooding from Hurricane Irene. The park, which has walking trails, play areas and river access, is not only a valuable community resource, but once again serves as a natural floodplain for the Dog River. 

Co-sponsors for the awards program included the American Institute of Architects Vermont, Vermont Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Vermont Planners Association and the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program. A jury of prominent Vermont planners, landscape architects and community and urban forestry professionals selected the award recipients.

To learn more about the awards program, go to http://go.uvm.edu/vtucf-awards.