A Vermont road that had been overrun by Instagram-crazed tourists will remain closed to visitors during the fall foliage season.
Known for its appearances in commercials and the movie Forrest Gump, Jenne Road in Reading has become a popular spot for those looking to take photographs of the changing colors of fall.
Now, for the second year in a row, the town board has voted to close the road to leaf peepers. MyNBC5 reported.
Jeanne Road resident Bill Bakker urged the board to close the street, describing the “huge line of cars” parked nearby.
“There are people who have parked on our private property. It’s a really, really, really bad situation,” he said.
The Reading Select Board voted to close Jenne Road for the second year in a row during a meeting earlier this month.
The site also includes Jenne Farm, a focal point of the scene whose beauty Bakker recognized.
“It’s the way the hills slope and from this vantage point you can see the countryside and the farm. I’m not going to say it’s not beautiful,” he said.
In recent years, more and more influential people have arrived in the area.
An instagrammer who has posted various videos Of his visits to Jenne Road, he noted that a Budweiser commercial was filmed there.
Jenne Farm is located along the highway in Reading, Vermont.
Tourists have also visited the road to recreate a scene from Forrest Gump with Tom Hanks’ character running cross-country.
A visitor said MyNBC5 In 2023, he spent the entire day on a flight so he could see New England in the fall while visiting Jenne Farm.
Another visitor drove 10 hours just to get there for a “quick photo.”
Vermont Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham said she supports the seasonal closure, but also stressed the importance of the state attracting tourists.
In recent years, more and more influencers have arrived in the area.
Part of the cross country scene in the blockbuster Forrest Gump was filmed along Jenne Road.
“A decision like that is definitely up to the local community, and we certainly understand and would support that public safety and the needs of residents must come first,” he said at the board meeting.
‘Tourism drives a big part of our economy, and it’s especially important for small rural towns that have great services, but it’s a balance.’
He added that it is important for visitors to “respect private property.”
“We need to let them know that you can’t have thousands of people on the same trail at the same time, so we encourage people to think about going to unfamiliar places. We always try to make sure people are spread out in different places,” Pelham said.
