Great Island Vision and Master Plan Launches

Sixty-acre historic estate will debut as waterfront public space; a robust community process begins over two sessions on Saturday, September 21

Town of Darien, Connecticut has appointed Reed Hilderbrand to revitalize this historically significant landscape into an ecologically sustainable public space that connects the community to the water. The Great Island Vision and Master Plan reflects Darien’s commitment to thoughtful urban planning, sustainable development, and community-driven initiatives outlined in its conservation and recreation plans.

Great Island, nestled along the Long Island Sound, boasts a rich history intertwined with its natural landscape. Its 1.5 miles of pristine shoreline, sandy beaches, rolling hills, and lush woodlands have inspired hopes for a seaside sanctuary of natural beauty and tranquility. “The power of this place is tangible when you arrive at Great Island,” says Beka Sturges, a partner and principal at Reed Hilderbrand. “We are excited to introduce Darien to this landscape and learn together the role Great Island will play in Darien’s future.”

Monica  McNally, a Selectman for Darien and Chair of the Great Island Advisory Committee, said: “We are very excited to work with Reed Hilderbrand to develop a Vision and Master Plan for Great Island that reflects Darien’s needs for open space and recreation activities, while protecting its fragile coastal environment.  We are confident Reed Hilderbrand will help to guide us in fully assessing the islands resources and limitations and in accessing ideas from our community that will provide the best uses of the island for future generations of Darien residents.”

Great Island was once an agricultural landscape prized for its fertile soils and strategic location. Gilded Age industrialist, banker, and arctic explorer William Ziegler acquired the farm as a private estate in 1902 and his descendants cherished the property for generations. Town of Darien acquired the property in 2023, securing a community place at the water’s edge. To plan and conceptualize the future of Great Island, Town of Darien selected Reed Hilderbrand through a competitive public procurement process led by appointed members of their Great Island Advisory Committee (GIAC).

Reed Hilderbrand’s approach to Great Island is centered on unlocking the waterfront’s full potential as a vibrant public space while safeguarding its ecological integrity. Collaborating closely with the Committee, local authorities, and Town residents, Reed Hilderbrand aims to create a cohesive vision that activates and preserves the island’s natural environment and historical significance. This inclusive process ensures that community input shapes the project’s development, fostering a sense of ownership and pride among residents.

The project encompasses a comprehensive master planning effort that will pursue realizing a long-term vision for Great Island. Reed Hilderbrand will focus selectively on a suite of projects endorsed by GIAC and Darien residents. This work can be permitted and built quickly to welcome the public as soon as possible.

Key to the planning for the integration of sustainable practices and revenue generation strategies. Reed Hilderbrand will explore innovative funding mechanisms such as leasing arrangements, user fees, and potential public-private partnerships to ensure the long-term economic viability of Great Island’s amenities. This financial foresight aims to support ongoing maintenance and operational sustainability, aligning with the town’s goals for responsible stewardship.

To collaborate with GIAC and Town residents, Reed Hilderbrand has assembled an interdisciplinary planning team that includes: Atelier Cho Thompson for creative placemaking and community spaces, Knight Architecture for adaptive reuse, historic preservation, and architecture, James Lima Planning and Development for funding and development economics, Langan for civil and traffic engineering, KMA for accessibility and universal design, John Pescatore for waterfront activity and safety, BioHabitats for ecology, and a team of additional technical consultants. Leading professional voices from Connecticut are represented on this inclusive, diverse team. Partner and principal-in-charge Beka Sturges has previously created the landscapes for The Clark Art Institute in the Berkshires, the Dassai Blue Distillery in Hyde Park, New York, and the contemplative garden at Yale University’s St. Thomas More Church and Catholic Center.

The Great Island Vision and Master Plan’s first community engagement workshop is set for  Saturday, September 21, 2024. There will be two sessions on Saturday: a morning session at Darien Town Hall from 10:15 AM to 12:00 PM and an afternoon session on Great Island from 1:30 to 4:00 PM.

Throughout the revitalization of Great Island, Reed Hilderbrand will emphasize transparent communication and collaboration with stakeholders. By integrating strong site design principles, environmental stewardship, and community input, the revitalization of Great Island aims to create a new legacy—a dynamic, inclusive destination that enriches the quality of life for Darien’s current and future generations, while preserving and celebrating its natural and historical heritage.

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