Upcoming Meeting Details
SAVE THE DATE! Public Workshop #4
⚠️ Weather Update: New Location, Same Great Workshop!
Great Island Public Workshop #4 – Now Fully Indoors!
Due to this weekend's rainy forecast, we're moving the fun inside—but the ideas, inspiration, and imagination are still going strong! Join us for a reimagined afternoon for a preview of the Great Island Master Plan, discussion, and community connection—all under one roof:
Session One | Vision & Possibilities
1-2:00pm
Town Hall Auditorium
Kick things off with a dynamic presentation by the Reed Hilderbrand design team as they present near-future approaches and long-term possibilities for the Great Island Master Plan!
Session Two | Explore the Future
2-3:00pm
Town Hall Gymnasium
Guided tour stations take you through the design approach for each major project area highlighted in the Master Plan, designed to pause, and ponder the future possibilities together:
· 🎯 Project Area Stations – Chat with the team, ask questions and leave feedback
· 📖 Reading Tables – Review printed reports from Great Island consultants
· 🗺️ Giant Master Plan Map – Add your ideas with feedback notes
· 💡 Suggestion Boxes – Share your reactions, big or small
· 🎨 Kids Activity Corner – Something fun for our youngest Darien dreamers!
All ages welcome. Come curious and ready to imagine what's next.
No need for rain boots this time—just bring your excitement and your voice!
🔗 For more details and updates, visit: https://greatisland.darienct.gov/events
📧 Have questions or need accessibility accommodations? Email us at: greatisland@darienct.gov
Let's dream together—rain or shine!
Public Workshop #3
🌿 Great Island Public Engagement Event #3 – Join the Conversation! 🌊
📅 Date: March 1, 2025
📍 Location: Darien Town Hall
☕ Welcome Refreshments: 2:00–2:15 PM
🌎 Reed Hilderbrand Presentation: 2:15–3:00 PM
🎨 Engagement Activities (Town Hall Gym): 3:15–4:15 PM
Let’s shape the future of Great Island together! Kick things off with coffee and treats, then dive into an inspiring presentation from Reed Hilderbrand on the evolving vision for this cherished landscape. Afterward, get hands-on with interactive activities in the Town Hall Gym—explore the Futures of Great Island workshop boards, embark on a youth scavenger hunt, or let creativity flow at the kids' coloring station and story time hosted by the Darien Library.
All ages welcome—come dream, discuss, and design the future of Great Island! 🌱✨
Public Workshop #2
Schedule:
At Town Hall
10:15 AM: MORNING REFRESHMENTS
• Coffee Meet n’ Greet
10:30 AM: PRESENTATION
• Reed Hilderbrand & Design Team - overview of project
timeline, Great Island findings, community feeback and
design team analysis
11:15 AM: Q&A
• Opportunity for community to engage in questions about
the Great Island Vision Plan
12:00 PM: SESSION ONE END
At Great Island:
(Reservations are required for shuttle seats to Great Island. Please email greatisland@darienct.gov to reserve a spot on a first-come, first-served basis.)
1:00 PM-3:00 PM: GREAT ISLAND ACTIVITIES
• Guided Tours: Architecture: Interior Tours, Ecology
Tree Walk, Children’s Treasure Hunt
• Self-guided Tours Table: Great Island Landmarks
• Field Guides: Great Island’s Ecological Communities
3:00 PM: SESSION TWO END
Public Engagement Event – on Great Island
The Great Island Vision and Master Plan design team, led by Reed Hilderbrand, is thrilled to invite the residents of Darien to attend the first community engagement workshop set for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Both sessions are free and open to the public and will cover the same information through different experiences.
For the afternoon session on Great Island, visitors will meet at the Great Island Stables at 2:00pm. Given that there is no vehicular access or parking available currently on Great Island, walk-ins to the stables are highly encouraged. There will be a limited number of seats on shuttle buses leaving Pear Tree Point Beach at 1:30 PM. Shuttle capacity is limited, so reservations are required to secure a seat.
To RSVP for a spot on the shuttle, please email greatisland@darienct.gov. Seats are subject to availability on a first-come, first served basis and are not guaranteed. Reservations will be confirmed via email in the order they were received.
The public is welcome to park on their own accord at Pear Tree Point Beach and walk to the Great Island stables (about a 20-minute walk).
At the stables, a brief project introduction will be shared before splitting into groups for a series of guided Great Island walks, led by the design team. The walks will return to the stables, where residents can interact with activity stations, like the morning session. At 3:30 PM, the shuttle will bring visitors with reservations back to Pear Tree Point Beach.
Public Engagement Event – Darien Town Hall
The Great Island Vision and Master Plan design team, led by Reed Hilderbrand, is thrilled to invite the residents of Darien to attend the first community engagement workshop set for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Both sessions are free and open to the public and will cover the same information through different experiences.
For the morning event, residents will meet at the Town Hall Auditorium, where an introduction presentation to the masterplan will be given, followed by time for residents to interact with activity stations to learn about Great Island and share their hopes for the future. RSVP is not required to attend the morning session at Town Hall.