The Carson Davidson Revocable Trust Fund entrusted 204 acres of property in Hubbardton to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation as part of what will be Vermont’s newest state park. The Taconic Mountains Ramble park was the vision of Carson “Kit” Davidson, who passed away in 2016.

Long before he built a Japanese garden in the shadow of Hubbardton’s Mount Zion, documentary filmmaker and author Carson “Kit” Davidson lived with his wife Mickie, a children’s book author, in the heart of Greenwich Village.

Both he and Mickie loved the downtown’s creative energy, but they wanted a summer escape north of the city. The couple had a specific vision for their land, one not easily fulfilled until a fortuitous trip to Vermont in November of 1966 after five years of searching.

During his life, Davidson valued the preservation of natural beauty for public enjoyment over subdivision, development, and personal profit. He invested his heart and soul into the land for over 46 years, blazing trails, preserving wildflower meadows, and building a Japanese garden. He encouraged conservation, public access, and community involvement by opening his land to any who wished to enjoy it.

As per Davidson’s wishes, the Taconic Mountains Ramble will be maintained by the Department and remain open to the public in perpetuity. An additional monetary donation from the Davidson Estate to Vermont Parks Forever will fund trail repairs, garden maintenance, and the creation of a long-term management plan.

In the short term, the simple rules remain no overnight stays, no smoking, and no fires. The current land manager is maintaining trails for hiking and skiing and ensuring that visitors continue to find beautiful views and unique places to enjoy quiet moments in the garden. Over the long term, public use of the property will be guided by a comprehensive management plan written by the Department with input from the public.

This park contains numerous trails located on steep, rocky, challenging terrain. The Japanese garden is accessed by a very steep, hilly trail. This is not a developed park and there is no water, phone, or other facilities, but there is a single portable toilet. As with all Vermont State Parks, this park is carry-in-carry-out.

The TrailFinder website has a description and map of a hike at Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park.