PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SUMMER NUMBERS … The Montpelier Pool reported decreased attendance rates this summer, although the admission rates were free due to the donations of the Montpelier Moose and Montpelier Eagles.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
brenna@thevillagereporter.com
With summer recreation season beginning to wind down, the Montpelier Park Board reviewed pool attendance and upcoming projects during its August 5, 2026 meeting.
Recreation Director Sandy Gordon reported that attendance at the Montpelier Pool has fallen slightly compared to last year.
As of August 3, the pool had 8,345 patrons for the 2026 season. In 2025, the full season’s total count amounted to 9,099.
The decline was attributed largely to the pool being unable to remain open in the evening in the last few weeks, as teen lifeguards returned to school sport practices.
The pool is officially scheduled to close for the season August 14, 2026. The splash pad will remain open through Labor Day.
Although pool attendance rates are down, Gordon’s July report showed increasing participation in the village’s summer recreation programs.
The “Free Space” events averaged nearly 33 children per session, while all three July sessions of the “1776 Kids” program were consistently full.
A total of 151 children were registered for the 2026 season of soccer as well, and coaches are still being sought out.
The village’s free summer lunch program served 279 meals in July. In 2025, 376 meals were served, which is down nearly by 100 lunches.
Gordon reported that participation dropped following the Fourth of July and stated that the pool’s reduced hours may have also affected attendance.
Notably, in June, 641 meals were served, which is an increase from June 2025’s 628 meals served. Work on the disc golf course along the Iron Horse River Trail has been pushed back.
Wet weather and time constraints have delayed the project, with completion now anticipated in spring 2027.
Introducing memorial trees to the Iron Horse River Trail has made headway, with Gordon set to create an order form for interested participants.
The form will include granite markers, provided through Fackler Monument, and a memorial tree. The deadline for this year’s orders is expected to be October 15, 2026, with installation taking place next spring.
The Civic League is still planning to redo the landscaping at the corner of Platt and Brown roads.
The existing landscaping dates back to a 1994 Civic League project, and the organization plans to remove the current landscaping and redesign the plantings.
The next Montpelier Park Board meeting is scheduled for September 2, 2026, with a Friends of the Montpelier Park meeting taking place September 3, 2026 at the Recreation Office.
