About Us
The Armbrust Hill Collaborative is a joint project of the Town of Vinalhaven's Parks Commission, Islands Community Medical Services (ICMS) and Vinalhaven Land Trust (VLT).
Our Vision
Background: A happy coincidence led to the creation of the Armbrust Hill Collaborative and this project. In the fall of 2022, the Town’s Parks Commission was considering some improvements to the Armbrust Hill playground. One of the Commission members, who was also the physical therapist at the Islands Community Medical Center, expressed interest in adding some outdoor equipment that could be used for fitness and physical therapy by all age groups. At the same time, the executive director of the Vinalhaven Land Trust had been out hiking trails in Armbrust Hill Town Park and noted that one trail in particular was already fairly wide and level, making it more suitable as an accessible trail than many other trails on the island. She shared her thoughts with the Parks Commission, and it became obvious that this was a unique opportunity to combine efforts to benefit the entire community.
Thus was born our vision: to create a space welcoming and engaging for visitors of all ages and abilities, with equipment to foster physical development and fitness (not to mention have fun!), as well as spaces for quiet time in a beautiful location, either alone or with friends, and a trail that can be enjoyed by people with a wide range of abilities.
Design Process
The Town Parks Commission, Islands Community Medical Services and Vinalhaven Land Trust have engaged Terry DeWan and Eamonn Hutton of VIEWSHED, Landscape Architects and Planners, to design concepts for this public space.
The first step is to gather ideas from the community through public meetings and this website. Then VIEWSHED will provide us with two or three design concepts, incorporating that input. Once we have agreed on a plan, we can proceed to the first step of the construction stage: requesting bids. In the meantime, we are pursuing grants which we hope will provide the lion’s share of the needed funds.
Brief History Timeline
A more detailed history may be found here.
1960 – Elizabeth (Betty) Roberts purchased the initial 17 acre parcel, including the 110’ summit, and donated it to the town. In the deed of gift, Betty stipulated that the park be maintained as a botanical preserve and a sanctuary for birds and wildlife, open to the public.
1961 &1962 – “Civic beautification projects” by the local garden club involved planting rhododendrons, leucothoe, mountain laurel, and azaleas, as well as smaller perennials, and improving the trails.
1969 – Opening of the Owen Webster Memorial Playground. Three teenage girls from Massachusetts: Pat McFarland, Jeanne Russell, and Paula Anderson conceived of the project in 1967. They, along with two Vinalhaven girls, Than Thompson and Joanne Shields, spent two years raising funds. A location was found when Sam and Berthe Slaughter generously offered to lease their land next to the medical center for $1 per year.
1979 – Berthe Slaughter, now widowed, gave the 1.9 acres on which the playground is located to the town.
1989 – The newly incorporated Vinalhaven Land Trust purchased the final 5.8 acre parcel along Indian Creek and donated it to the town. Deed restrictions ensure that the parcel will be used for passive recreation as a public park and wildlife preserve in perpetuity. Fred and Dorothy Swanson donated a right of way easement across their property at the end of Round the Mountain Road in 1980 ensuring public access from the southeast.
Together, these three parcels, all donated to the town, offer an inviting space within easy walking distance of town, where one can hike, play, and enjoy quiet time in the restorative power of nature.
