Burlington suburb with access to commerce and outdoor recreation
Tucked amidst the verdant landscapes of northwest Vermont, the town of Williston blends connectivity and tranquility. Located just east of Burlington, the community town center in the west end is clustered with shops, services, offices and restaurants, while the surrounding area retains a rural feel and residential atmosphere with spread-out homes on larger lots. Once a patchwork of farmlands, Williston’s development in the last few decades has propelled the town into a flourishing Burlington suburb. The community prides itself on a close-knit feel, fostered in part by its many opportunities for outdoor recreation and thriving Parks and Recreation Department. Proximity to Burlington is another draw, and residents have easy access to major thoroughfares like Interstate 89.
Various housing types offers range of lifestyles
Williston features a wide range of housing types and styles. The town is experiencing growth in its housing stock, as new construction continues to sprout across the community in its various neighborhoods. Duplexes, townhouse communities and condo buildings surround the commercial town center, offering accessibility to shopping and dining. Condos typically price between $350,000 and $600,000, while townhouses may list from the upper-$300,000s to the mid-$700,000s. Single-family homes range in style from smaller Cape Cods, bungalows and bi-level homes to larger Neo-Traditional and Colonial Revival custom builds on generously sized properties. Price tags can start around $300,000 and climb up to $1.4 million.
Outdoor recreation at community parks and Catamount Center
The town’s recreation rotates around its community parks. “We have four community parks that the Recreations and Parks Department oversees,” says program director of 10 years, Todd Goodwin. Williston’s largest park is Village Community Park, a 30-acre tract with various recreational amenities including a 9-hole disc golf course, multiple sports fields and sand volleyball courts. Allen Brook Park features the Allen Brook nature trail, which connects to Village Community Park. “Right now, Allen Brook Park has two multi-purpose fields, but our master plan is to build out the park,” Goodwin says. “The goal is to have two larger parks for the town in different areas that are accessible and open to everyone.”
The community parks host the Recreation and Parks Department’s many offerings, from fitness activities to special programs. “We offer a variety of recreational programs for all ages,” Goodwin says. “There are a lot of adult recreation and leagues like soccer clubs and also youth camps. We’re always trying to find new programming and bring new things into the parks.” Goodwin says that while the department only manages the four public parks, locals may access Williston’s passive recreational areas as well, which include multiple trails and the town forest.
Stretching across 500 acres, Catamount Outdoor Family Center also serves as a year-round hub for outdoor recreation. Centered around a bed and breakfast housed in a 1796 estate, the rural property features 20 miles of biking and cross-country ski trails. Daily passes and annual memberships allow locals to enjoy daily activities and weekly outings, including weekly mountain biking and trail running races, youth programs, summer camps and lessons. In the winter, recreationists can trade their running shoes and bikes for skis and snowshoes.
Education in the Champlain Valley district
Champlain Valley Unified School District serves about 4,150 students throughout the valley. Williston kids may begin their education at Williston Central School. Rated an A-minus by Niche, the primary school teaches prekindergarten through eighth grades. Champlain Valley Union High School also receives an A-minus score and is ranked the third-best public high school in Vermont for its top-rated academics and teachers. The high school offers unique academic programs and learning opportunities such as Field and Forest, an integrated full-day semester program that prioritizes project-based learning through the connections between social justice, the environment and literature. Parents may also opt to enroll their children in nearby private and alternative schools such as Jean Garvin School.
Convenient shops and restaurants in Williston's west end
Williston Road, or U.S. Highway 2, runs through the heart of Williston and anchors its town center. The street, along with the intersecting St George Road, houses most of the town’s commerce, including various shops, restaurants and office spaces. Shopping plazas cluster around the intersection, with big-box retailers and familiar brands like Home Depot and L.L. Bean. Restaurants range from fast-casual chains to local favorites like The Scale and Chef’s Corner, a café serving breakfast and lunch specials, along with pastries made in house. Grocery options include Walmart, Hannaford and Shaw’s.
Transportation options for commuters
Interstate 89 runs parallel to Highway 2, connecting to Montpelier in 36 miles and Burlington in less than 10 miles. Both routes serve as major thoroughfares for residents. Amtrak services the train stations in Essex Junction and Burlington. The Burlington International Airport is about 4 miles west, a trip that usuall takes less than 10minutes by car.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
