Communities

Groton Gateway Park Master Plan

Town of Groton

SE Group partnered with the Town of Groton to envision a vibrant new community park that transforms a former utility site and town operations area into a welcoming riverfront destination. The Groton Gateway Park Master Plan establishes a framework for recreation, connection, and resilience, celebrating the town’s history while positioning it as a gateway to Vermont’s rich outdoor landscape.

A Place Rooted in History and Nature

Nestled along the Wells River in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, Groton is a small town with a deep appreciation for its rural charm and close-knit community spirit. The Groton Gateway Park site combines the town’s former maintenance land with the recently acquired parcel of the decommissioned Lower Groton Hydroelectric Dam. This historic landscape, now home to a mature floodplain forest, offers sweeping natural beauty and a powerful story of renewal.

The Challenge

The Town of Groton saw an opportunity to reclaim underused riverfront land and create a meaningful community gathering space. The challenge was transforming a flood-prone, historically industrial landscape into a safe, accessible, and resilient park that supports recreation, cultural events, and environmental stewardship while honoring the site’s past.

SE Group’s Role

SE Group led a multi-phase master planning process that integrated natural resource analysis, flood resilience strategies, and robust community engagement. Working closely with the Groton Planning Commission, SE Group designed a park framework that reflects local input and connects the village center, the Cross Vermont Trail, and the Wells River. The team facilitated visioning workshops, on-site open houses, and surveys that shaped every aspect of the design.

The resulting plan celebrates Groton’s rural character while introducing new spaces for outdoor play, learning, and gathering. It balances active and passive recreation, integrating ecological restoration, accessible trails, and multi-use lawns that can host community events or seasonal ice skating.

The Impact

The Groton Gateway Park Master Plan positions the Town of Groton to transform an underutilized site into a signature public amenity that celebrates its natural and cultural assets. The plan provides a roadmap for creating a park that supports community gatherings, enhances river access, and promotes year-round recreation. It also strengthens regional connectivity by linking the park to the Cross Vermont Trail and the larger Wells River corridor. Through this project, Groton has built a shared vision for a resilient, welcoming, and distinctly Vermont park that reflects the town’s character and future aspirations.

What Makes This Project Special

The Groton Gateway Park design connects the past and future. Historic dam remnants and stone foundations have been preserved as interpretive features, while restored floodplain and native vegetation enhance river health. Key elements like an overlook tower, pavilion, and nature play areas invite visitors to explore the site’s layered history and scenic beauty. The park also provides new links to the Cross Vermont Trail, strengthening Groton’s identity as a recreation gateway community.

Flood events that occurred during planning offered valuable lessons that guided design strategies to protect infrastructure and enhance ecological resilience.