Editor’s note: This commentary is by Jerry Ward, of Randolph Center, who is a retired physician who was involved in the land preservation efforts of the 160 acres at Exit 4 off I-89. A version of this was first published in the Herald of Randolph.
[L]et’s celebrate the return of whales’ tails sculpture to central Vermont.
A long and inspiring story culminated last week when “Whale Dance” was installed in the identical spot of the original whales’ tails sculpture, “Reverence,” at the gateway to Randolph, next to Exit 4 at I-89. The story of how this sculpture, even more graceful than the original, came to Randolph is worth telling.
The iconic image of the whales’ tails that overlooked Randolph and the Braintree ridge has been gone for 20 years, long enough to be a distant memory for some and before the youngest generation was born. The granite sculpture welcomed folks at Exit 4 from 1989 to 1999, when it was sold and replanted on the edge of I-89 near Burlington.
The southwest and northwest quadrants of Exit 4 were a working farm before I-89 was built. Investors bought the 170+ acre farm with visions for development. Various plans for the development included retail shopping, commercial and light industrial uses, over 200 housing units, a hotel-conference center and a state-sponsored welcome center. The plan that was eventually submitted for Act 250 review called for over 1 million square feet of development, which would have been the largest development in the state. Understandably, this plan was a divisive issue for Randolph and our region.
The jobs and economic growth were touted by some people as being needed by the town, but others saw the project as the antithesis to “smart growth.” Many people in the community and from across the state expressed concerns about the loss of the Exit 4 views, and the loss of that much prime agricultural soil. For these folks, the land around Exit 4 is arguably Randolph’s most valuable common asset.
The development process took a dramatic turn in 2018 when landowner and developer, Jesse Sammis, withdrew the Act 250 application. In the aftermath, several nonprofit groups (Castanea Foundation, Conservation Law Foundation, Preservation Trust of Vermont and Vermont Natural Resources Council) negotiated two deals that turned the tide on the development.
Castanea Foundation eventually bought approximately 150 acres of Sammis’ land, and sold it to Ayers Brook Goat Dairy after a conservation easement was placed on the property by Vermont Land Trust. Thus, most of the working agricultural land in the view shed around Exit 4 is now permanently conserved and can only be farmed.
However, the top 23 acres of land, closest to I-89, although less valuable for agricultural purposes but worth more because of its proximity to the interstate, is the most important parcel in terms of views from both I-89 and Route 66. These 23 acres also were the site of the former “Reverence” sculpture and the Montague Golf Course driving range.
Sammis offered to the conservation groups the option to purchase the 23-acre parcel if they could raise the funds ($1 million) within 60 days. This seemed a far-fetched, if not impossible goal. In fact, many people assumed that the option would expire and the parcel would be sold to another developer.
But the Preservation Trust of Vermont, with support from the local, grassroots Exit 4 Open Space and the other regional conservation groups and took on the challenge. In an astonishing display of organization and support from more than 500 individual local, regional and out-of-state contributors, over $1 million was raised within 60 days and the trust purchased the 23-acre parcel. Since then, conservation easements were placed on the 23 acres, and the property was sold to the nonprofit Randolph Community Orchard. Fruit and nut trees have already been planted at the back end of the open land and the land will remain accessible to the public, with its magnificent views preserved for posterity.
But wait, there’s more. Many people asked, “Could we get the whales tails back?” That was not possible. But, as a stunning jewel in the crown for the Randolph gateway, the Preservation Trust received a contribution from the Vermont Community Foundation for the purpose of commissioning sculptor Jim Sardonis to build and install the graceful bronze sculpture that was installed last week.
This process, which involved significant public input as well as stewardship by state conservation groups, required years of grassroots work, long-term vision, and over a million dollars in contributions. It is a source of regional pride that whales’ tails are back for future generations to enjoy.
