Great Island Vision Plan

A Waterfront Green Space for the Community  

Great Island is a historic estate acquired by the Town of Darien, located along the Connecticut coast and the Long Island Sound, offering a vibrant public space that invites users of all ages to experience dynamic coastlines, a unique historic legacy and great ecological diversity. This vision seeks to unite the Town of Darien by fostering community connections, activating a shared sense of belonging, and inspiring environmental stewardship through forging meaningful relationships with the land.

The Town of Darien appointed Reed Hilderbrand and a local multi-disciplinary team 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 the Town of Darien’s commitment to thoughtful urban planning, sustainable development, and community-driven initiatives aligned with its conservation and recreation plans.

Appraoch

As a result of a year-long visioning and planning exercise, the Master Plan has sought to balance activation and preservation to shape a public space that can welcome all and be self-sustaining without compromising its particular sense of place. Great Island 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.

With community input through a variety of public engagement approaches, the thoughtfully phased plan allows for public use and activities for the community on Great Island, while phasing investments for the Town. This long-term approach allows for sustainable development that does not foreclosure futures for the Island, including the future renovation of the beautiful historic structures, while prioritizing:

- Visitor access throughout the site and to the water, with parking, basic amenities, and a looping circuit of paths.

- Activation of the structures in centralized, lower investment buildings, like the Carriage House.

- Habitat restoration and landscape experience, with management of invasives and replanting.

Adopted by the Town of Darien in August 2025, the Great Island Vision, Master Plan and Concept are available at the address below.