Vinalhaven Land Trust History & Skoog Park
Perry Creek by Sheri Romer Brock
Vinalhaven Land Trust is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1986, near the beginning of the land trust movement in downeast Maine. Since then, VLT has succeeded in conserving many “whole places” that have significant natural features and little or no development. Working with landowners and partner groups, Vinalhaven Land Trust has helped to preserve:
700 acres along the tranquil Perry Creek inlet
90 contiguous acres and 1.5 miles of unbroken shoreline around Whitmore Pond, a rare salt marsh habitat
Starboard Rock Sanctuary
Four of the islands and seabird nesting colonies in the Brimstone archipelago
In partnership with Maine Coast Heritage Trust and landowners, 745 acres of scenic and ecologically rich land around the Basin, a 360 acre tidal embankment
Four undeveloped islands in Seal Bay, an inlet renowned for its wild beauty
Fourteen preserves with 17 miles of diverse hiking trails for all abilities
Important acreage in the town watershed
Tip Toe Mountain, a beloved peak overlooking the Fox Islands Thorofare and beyond
VLT Office at Skoog Park
In 1993, George Flynn gave 1.3 acres along Sands Cove to Vinalhaven Land Trust to serve as a park in memory of Gosta Skoog, a long time boat-builder on the island whose boat shop was on the site. As George was thinking about the future of his property after Gus died in 1987, he searched for some way to meld a love of the land with his affection and admiration for the sea and to commemorate the skills, work habits, and sturdy character of Gus Skoog. Soon after, the VLT staff moved into the cabin-by-the-sea built by Gus near his boat house, and it became the VLT office. As the organization grew, so did the workspace needs, and in 2006-2007 the building underwent an additional expansion and landscaping.
Many hours were spent planning how the modest expansion could do more than provide the much needed office and meeting space. The result is that the office now serves as the center of conservation resources and environmental education for all of Vinalhaven. The resource room,
designed for VLT’s expanding collection of books, maps, field guides and other information about the natural world, also provides an area where local naturalists could create displays of island flora, fauna, and geology in an effort to better educate visitors to the natural wonders of Vinalhaven.
Skoog Park, just a short walk from the ferry terminal on Sands Road, is open during daylight hours for picnicking, exploring, and watching the activities of the harbor - lobstermen coming and going, the ferry, and young people in the Island Sail program learning to sail.
When the flag is up, visitors are welcome in the office to peruse the many maps of island ecology and visit the Al and Hilary Creighton Resource Room. Official winter office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.