Glovertown edited

Community Partnerships - Newfoundland & Labrador

Town of Glovertown

Diamond House
Built in 1937, the house originally belonged to Ken Diamond and his wife Viola. The couple raised a family, ran a boarding house, a taxi and trucking business, and a garage providing vital services to the area. After Ken passed away and Viola moved out, the Fry Family Foundation purchased the house and transferred ownership of the building to the town. The adjacent warehouse which was used by Mr. Diamond in his many enterprises was converted into an art studio. It once housed Glovertown's first Town Office and equipment for its first fire department. House of Diamonds was established in 2006 as a not-for-profit volunteer run art centre dedicated to promoting NL Artists and Artisans and was later renamed Diamond House. Upstairs there is also a residence for visiting artists. It has become a gathering place for community events and also offers informative artistic and cultural experiences to the public through concerts, art programs, workshops and residencies. The Foundation continues to work with the Town to support infrastructure enhancements at Diamond House.

Ken Diamond Memorial Park
The Fry Family Foundation has been working with the Town of Glovertown since development of the Ken Diamond Memorial Park began in 1997. The park development was funded in memory of businessman Ken Diamond, a prominent entrepreneur in Glovertown, and uncle of Darryl Fry. Ken's daughter, Clarice Diamond Goodyear, was a founding member of the Planning and Development Committee that worked to establish the Park and has been a Friend of the Fry Family Foundation since it's inception.

The Park is attracting trout and waterfowl, and helping residents and visitors to understand the importance of preserving our ecological treasures. Local schools have recognized the importance of the park by incorporating it into their science and environmental studies programs.

The park features 4 kilometres of walking trails, rest stops, look outs and bridges, taking in several natural habitats which surround Southeast Steady. The trail consists of a set of stacking loops. There is a short loop of 1.5km and a longer loop that is around 4km. The trail winds along Penney’s Brook and across the wetland alongside the brook. There is a covered bridge and a gazebo located at the halfway point of the longer trail. The trail is wide and flat with a solid surface – suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. A short more demanding “Puff 'n Blow Trail” takes hikers from the shorter loop to a Gazebo that overlooks much of Glovertown.

Kevin Blackmore is an avid photographer and walks through the Park all year long. He recently filmed a resident beaver swimming in the park. This is his reflection after a stroll in June, 2020: "Summer comes late to the island, the spring is cool, often cold. Every day I make the same circuit around the 'Steady', and like old friends the blooms appear, greeting the passerby with cheerfulness that only optimistic blooms, oblivious to the weather can muster. They come in a sequence (not reflected by the order of these photos). First the Leatherleaf, then the Rhodora, then the bog Rosemary, the bog or swamp Laurel. The service berries are next, mostly Chuckly Pear and Bartram's serviceberry. Most of the blooms on our wetlands and woodland edges are small but they compensate with beauty."

Improvements continue at the park with the area adjacent to The Brookside and the Dog Park completed in September, 2020. The Brookside area of the park is enjoyed by diverse groups in the community. The Glovertown Adventure Bike Club for grades K-3 always enjoy checking out the trails in the Fall.

The park was also used by the 2020 Graduating Class of Glovertown Academy to hold a long awaited celebration in a COVID-safe manner. We wish the graduates a bright future!

Representatives from the Town of Glovertown and the Fry Family Foundation attended the official opening of The Brookside at the Ken Diamond Memorial Park on September 15, 2019. The ribbon was cut by Clarice Diamond Goodyear, daughter of Ken and Viola Diamond. A Gazebo was built and the beach area was enhanced on both sides of the river.

New directional signage has also been installed throughout the park. Along the walking trails visitors can read the information plaques to understand more about the plant life, water fowl and other important aspects of the park.