History

Early Days

Armbrust Hill–formerly called Kittredge’s Hill–is named after James Armbrust, a civil war veteran and photographer, who ran the granite quarrying operation there in the late 1800s. In the late 19th century Vinalhaven was booming with the granite industry. Vinalhaven village could easily hear the quarrying work being done on Armbrust Hill, as it is only moments from the center of town. When the granite industry closed down and the noise finally subsided in 1910, the hill was practically denuded, offering a wonderful setting with sweeping views from Mt. Desert to the Camden Hills.

Betty Roberts & the Garden Club

When 17 acres including the 110’ highest point of the hill, came on the market in 1960, Elizabeth (Betty) Roberts purchased it, subsequently donating it to the town later that same year. 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.

By then, the Hill was covered with local native plants such as lowbush blueberries, alders, winterberry, huckleberries, and trees such as mountain ash, spruce, fir, and white birch. From 1960-1963, Betty enlisted the local garden club to help enhance the now town park with better trails and some thoughtfully sited plantings. This was accomplished in two stages. In 1961, the Garden Club sought and won $100 in a state wide civic beautification project sponsored by Sears Roebuck Co. and the state’s Garden Federation, to landscape and improve the area around Trolley Pond and the “Old Quarry Road” leading up from Atlantic Avenue.

This was followed by a second “civic beautification project” in 1962, for which this award was applied for again, though we can’t find a record if it was received. This time, the focus was on beautifying an area partially in the town park and partially on land now owned by the medical center, where construction was just beginning on the “medical building.” The garden club left a wonderful legacy in their accounts of this period. Many of the smaller introduced plants, including most of the perennials, didn’t survive, but quite a few larger rhododendrons, leucothoe, mountain laurel, and azaleas did. Over time, the expansive views have given away to intriguing glimpses of the ocean through the tall firs and spruce trees.

Owen Webster Memorial Playground

In September of 1969, the Bangor Daily News reported on the opening of the new Owen Webster Memorial Playground. In 1967, the idea for this playground was born in the minds of three teenage girls from Massachusetts: Pat McFarland, Jeanne Russell, and Paula Anderson. The girls had visited the island that summer, staying at the home of Pat’s father. Though they loved their time on Vinalhaven, they felt there were not enough summer activities for younger children.

They returned in September to meet with the Selectboard, where they presented their idea for a playground, an idea the selectboard enthusiastically endorsed. In the fall of 1968, the girls made contact with two of their peers on Vinalhaven: Than Thompson and Joanne Shields. They corresponded about the project over the winter until finally meeting in person for the first time in February of 1969. They decided to write to nine large companies, asking for financial support in equipping the playground. Only three of the companies replied, one offering a small piece of equipment, an offer that was later withdrawn.

The girls then wrote 300 letters to summer residents, asking for donations. This effort brought in about $200 in donations. A second set of 300 letters brought in an additional $750. The plan had originally been to install the equipment at the old ball ground, but due to the poor drainage, that plan had to be abandoned. Neighbors objected to installing it at the Union Church. Happily, for all, Sam and Berthe Slaughter generously offered the use of land they owned adjacent to the medical center and the land donated by Mrs. Roberts. The girl, the Parks Commission, and the Selectboard were delighted to accept this offer, and the girls signed a lease with the Slaughters, renting the property for $1 per year.

For the sum of $1,040, equipment was ordered, including a swing set with baby seat and a “horse seat,” a merry go round, a jungle gym, and a tetherball. Students from what the newspaper called the “Hurricane Island Survival School” provided the manpower to clear the land and helped set up the new play equipment. David Arey, Perry Boyden, and Kevin Hopkins, along with other volunteers, also offered their time. On a late summer day, a firetruck led a parade of children to their new playground, where the ribbon was cut by Delwyn Webster, father of the deceased Vietnam War veteran, Owen Webster, in whose memory the park is named.

In 1979, Berthe Slaughter, now widowed, gave these 1.9 acres to the town.

1989 Expansion

In 1989, another 5.8 acres on The Hill came on the market. Lying between Indian Creek and the two properties now owned by the town, this acreage included another old quarry road and lovely view over Indian Creek, and was much used and enjoyed by the public. Vinalhaven Land Trust, newly incorporated in 1986, stepped up to fundraise for the acquisition of this parcel, subsequently donating it to the town. The deed includes restrictions ensuring that the parcel will be used in perpetuity for passive recreation as a public park and wildlife preserve. This acquisition would allow for access to the medical center and the two town-owned properties over the right of way at the eastern end of Round the Mountain Road donated in 1980 by Fred and Dorothy Swanson.

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 the quiet time in the restorative power of nature.