Building a pedestrian bridge is a lofty goal for a small non-profit association. But the folks at Manchester Riverwalk are encouraged by the response they have gotten from the Town of Manchester, its Selectboard and the community at large.  

Right: an artist’s rendering of the approach to the proposed bridge.

The Manchester Riverwalk Association has been working hard for almost three years to build a bridge across the West Branch of the Battenkill, connecting the Factory Point Town Green with Historic Main Street. Recently, the Right Track Foundation generously offered a $250,000 matching grant. Now that the designs have been completed and the engineering finalized, and paid for, what the group needs now is to make that match. 

When asked why they have been so encouraging, Stephen Drunsic said the following. “The Right Track Foundation has always been supportive of projects that help to improve the quality and character of our local community.  This bridge will help to revitalize what we feel is one of the most underappreciated assets running right through town by providing pedestrians a wonderful opportunity to enjoy views up toward the mill pond falls and down the west branch of the Battenkill.   We hope this matching grant will further incentivize folks to participate in this fundraiser so that the Riverwalk can successfully meet its goal in 2022.”

The Manchester Riverwalk Association is very thankful to the Right Track Foundation for their ongoing endorsements.  The Association hopes that you, too, will join them and many others in the community who feel this pedestrian bridge will benefit the citizens of Manchester.

VHB (Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.), civil engineers from South Burlington, VT have been working with the Board at Manchester Riverwalk for over two years to engineer and plan this bridge. The proposed bridge will be made of cordon steel, designed to weather with age. The decking will be made of a wood called ipe, a dense hardwood which grays naturally and requires little maintenance. Both are hardy to our harsh winters. The bridge will be lit on both ends with light posts and footlights will light the decking. As much as possible, local artists and builders will be used to construct all facets of this bridge.

You may give to the Manchester Riverwalk using your credit card on our Donate page or by clicking here. Or you may mail a check made payable to “Manchester Riverwalk Association” at PO Box 1622, Manchester Center, VT 05255