oakledge park

Amongst Burlington’s winding coast of Champlain sits many beautiful parks, beaches, and recreation spaces for all to enjoy. These public goods allow access to the great natural resources of the lake and make for a great day. Oakledge park in Burlington’s south end seems to tick all the boxes. Access is seamless via the bike and walking path, bus, or car.

First, check out the impressive “forever young” treehouse that sits along a footpath and brings you within the canopy of trees that line the park. Playgrounds and a workout gym in the northern part of the park allow all ages to get active with well designed slides and musical components for the little ones and a fixed kettlebell station for older ages. Plenty of natural shade and pavilion space throughout the park allows groups to lay comfortably for picnics, and multiple charcoal grilling stations for big bbq potential! Down the hill and towards the cove beach, a view of Burlington’s downtown adds great perspective in it’s clear view of the cityscape.

Learning about the history of the lake, faults and glacial movements created the mountains in both New York and Vermont and split the earth to create the lake. For a small example of this, view the rocks on the edges of the cove as well as the small rocks at your feet. Notice the veins of granite within some of the rocks to see how rocks can move over millions of years! Warmer months can make for the best beach days, but any season at oakledge can be fun, peaceful, and wholesome for some time alone, with loved ones, or new friends :)