Darien Announces 2nd Great Island Community Engagement Workshop

Information via town of Darien

DARIEN, CT — The Great Island Vision and Master Plan design team, led by landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand, is inviting Darien residents to participate in the second community engagement workshop on Saturday, Nov. 16. This workshop will feature two sessions, each free and open to the public.

The morning session will take place at the Darien Town Hall Auditorium from 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. The session will include an in-depth presentation from the design team, covering findings from the first workshop, focus group meetings and community survey responses.

Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and share input. No RSVP is required for the morning session.

In the afternoon session, residents will gather at the Great Island stables from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for a guided site experience.

A shuttle service will depart from Darien Town Hall at 1 p.m. and return from Great Island at 3 p.m.; reservations are required for shuttle seats.

Due to limited capacity, reservations for guided tours are strongly encouraged. Residents should email greatisland@darienct.gov to reserve a spot on a first-come, first-served basis.

Confirmation emails will be sent based on availability. For those preferring alternative transportation, public parking is available at Pear Tree Point Beach, with a scenic 20-minute walk to the stables. Walk-ins are encouraged.

Upon arrival at the stables, attendees will join one of three guided walks led by the design team (reservations are required in advance), returning to the stables by 2:50 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and prepare to walk for 45 -90 minutes. A select number of buildings will be open to the public as part of the architectural portion of the walking tour.

Please be advised that entry into any building will be limited to the guided tour and will require a signed waiver form from each participant. Forms will be available outside of the buildings, and once signed, participants may enter the appropriate building.

There will also be self-guided mapped tour options for those unable to secure a guided tour, as well as field guide pamphlets for an in-depth guide to the ecologies of Great Island.

This workshop is part of a broader community outreach series hosted by the Great Island Advisory Committee and the Master Plan Team to gather public input on the future of Great Island. Engagement opportunities include workshops, focus groups, and online surveys.

A second survey will launch following the morning session, offering further opportunities for public feedback.

For more details, visit click here and follow Great Island’s Instagram page @greatislandct for updates.