The movement to build the Mad River Path was started in 1988 by the Mad River Valley Rivers and Trails Committee within the Mad River Valley Planning District. A recreation path to connect Warren to Waitsfield was overwhelmingly supported by the public. In 1989 the Mad River Recreation Path Association was formed to begin the work of building the Mad River Path. The first section created by this group was the Warren Path at Brooks Field.
The enthusiasm for the Path continued to grow, and a group of new volunteers decided to incorporate the Association, forming the 501(c)(3) non-profit Mad River Path Association (MRPA) in 1992. This allowed the organization to receive tax-deductible contributions and apply for private and public grants. From this momentum, MRPA was successful in working with area landowners; such as Elwin and Angela Neill, Jr. to establish the many hallmark sections of the Path that currently exist. The East and West Greenway are the classic and most-used sections of the Mad River Path currently. This was a collaborative effort between MRPA, the Town of Waitsfield, and the Mad River Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club.
Since the creation of the Greenway, MRPA and its many supporters throughout the
Mad River Valley have continued to work toward the expanded mission to connect all the
Valley towns via the Mad River Path from Warren to Moretown. MRPA has become a central part of the Valley community, especially with events such as the Mad Dash (a classic Vermont footrace on the Mad River Path), which draws participants of all ages.
