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, Fry Family Foundation (FFF) 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. Diamond House was established in 2006 as a not-for-profit volunteer run art centre dedicated to promoting NL Artists and Artisans. It has become a gathering place for community events and offers informative artistic and cultural experiences through concerts, art programs, workshops and residencies. FFF continues to work with the Town to support infrastructure enhancements at Diamond House. |
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Ken Diamond Memorial Park
FFF has been working with the Town of Glovertown since development of Ken Diamond Memorial Park (KDMP) began in 1997. 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 FFF since it's inception. The Park attracts trout and waterfowl, and is helping residents and visitors 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. |
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KDMP 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, with a short loop of 1.5km and a longer loop of 4km. Take the 4km virtual hike and see how 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. 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. There are also some great aerial views of the park in this Welcome to Glovertown video.
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Kevin Blackmore walks through the Park all year long and 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."
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Improvements continue with the Dog Park completed in September, 2020. KDMP is enjoyed by diverse groups in the community. The Glovertown Adventure Bike Club for grades K-3 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! |
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Representatives from FFF and the Town of Glovertown attended the official opening of The Brookside area at KDMP 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 information plaques to understand more about plant life, water fowl and other important aspects of the park. |
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The Foundation is also proud to have supported the Diamond Dash at Ken Diamond Memorial Park for 10 years. Read more about this past partnership here.