At Riverbend Meadows, the Winooski River twists and turns for 5,000 ft as it flows along the 2,700 ft southeast boundary. This lazy run of the river, hidden within the tall meadow plants, attracts a wide variety of wildlife including wading birds, songbirds, insects and large and small mammals. Up on a plateau above the river, sits a 2-bedroom cape house with terrific expansion opportunities.
While the first floor is finished and includes 2 bedrooms, the entire second floor is ready for wiring, flooring and wall board to make it into 2 more bedrooms and a bath or whatever other configuration that can be imagined. Two patio doors on the first floor will open onto a river-viewing deck, once it is built. The walk-out basement can be finished off into more living space and a studio apartment over the garage is close to completion.
Sitting off of a paved road, this property is well-screened from the passing traffic and neighbors are a good distance away. Wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and scattered white pines stretch upstream and down. Here, you can enjoy the beauty of riverside living and easily be in downtown Montpelier in 25 minutes.
Riverbend Meadows is between the twin villages of Marshfield and Plainfield in central Vermont. The area is defined by the Winooski River Valley that winds through both towns and along the edge of the property. From the wide, fertile valley, the landscape rises in rolling hills to either side. Just to the east is the 26,000-acre Groton State Forest with hiking and biking trails, as well as numerous lakes, ponds and campgrounds.
Marshfield village offers two country stores, two bakeries and a nice town green with recreational facilities. Plainfield has several other local businesses including a pizzeria, food coop and hardware store. There is also a health center and the Goddard College campus in Plainfield. The local K-12 school is 1 mile from the property. The greater Montpelier area hosts a vibrant downtown, national chains, a hospital, large and small employers, and an active arts community.
US Route 2 (east-west) is the main artery through these towns. Marshfield village is 4 miles to the east and St. Johnsbury, with access to I-91, is 20 miles further. Plainfield village is 3 miles to the west and downtown Montpelier, with access to I-89, is 10 miles further. Burlington, the state’s largest city, is 1 hour to the northwest, while Boston is 3 hours to the southeast.
The northwest boundary of Riverbend Meadows is 2,800 ft of frontage along US Route 2, a paved, state-maintained road. The gravel driveway (5371 US Route 2) into the property lies approximately in the middle of the frontage and leads 350 ft to the home. There are up to two other places along the frontage where additional driveways could be constructed, with state permission.
Riverbend Meadows is almost completely level with varying microtopography in certain locations. While the prevailing aspect is east, the level nature of the lot provides copious sunlight throughout the day. The home sits within 135 ft of the river on a plateau that elevates it out of the Town of Marshfield Flood Hazard Area.
The property is almost completely meadow with tall grasses and wildflowers populating it beyond the lawn. While there are no trails at this time, mowing a network of paths through the meadow would make for pleasant walking. A snowmobile trail runs just northeast of the property. Alternatively, the property could be mowed more extensively and possibly used for crops or pasture.
Scattered white pines are found throughout the property and a cluster of hardwoods and softwoods occupy the southwest corner. The majority of the road frontage is visually screened by mature trees and shrubs. The combination of extensive meadows, some trees and long river frontage creates a wonderful habitat for varied wildlife such as deer, great blue herons, mink, warblers and red fox.
The 5,000 ft of Winooski River frontage forms the eastern boundary of the property. Here, the flow is meandering and lazy, and the river takes many twists and turns. The long frontage is compressed into a 2,700 ft distance, as the crow flies. Mowing paths to the river would facilitate access, although there are steep banks in places.
The Winooski is a 90 mile-long river that flows east to west through central Vermont, beginning in the town of Cabot to the northeast and ending in Lake Champlain in the town of Colchester. It is the largest tributary of Lake Champlain with a 1,080-square-mile watershed, almost 10% of the land area of Vermont.
The 2,150 sq ft, 1½-story, cape house was factory built and installed on-site in 2000. The 1,120 sq ft first floor is finished and the 680 sq ft second floor is partially finished. A 1½-story, two-car garage in gray barnboard connects to the home by a breezeway. The home’s interior is simple overall, providing the opportunity to add personal style.
The home’s front entrance is reached via a flagstone patio with integrated steps. Walk in through the front door and, at the bottom of the stairs, a small entryway opens into the living room. This light-filled space includes two windows on the front of the house and patio doors to a future deck with views of the river. It appears that an elevated deck should be permissible on the river side of the house.
A large, cased opening leads from the living room to the eat-in kitchen. This efficient space is outfitted with wooden cabinetry, a full suite of white appliances, and a center island with bar seating for two. Countertops are laminate and the range is electric. As a bit of character, a pantry closet is accessed via a gothic-style door. The sink area looks out over the backyard while another set of patio doors in the eating area would also access a future deck. This is a peaceful and beautiful place to start your day, watching the river meander by and wildlife stop by for a drink.
Down the hall from the kitchen is a full bath with beadboard wainscoting and a ceramic tile floor. A master bedroom faces the front of the home while a smaller bedroom in the back of the house provides access to the breezeway. Once the upstairs is finished, this would be a great mudroom and laundry room.
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