WATERBURY VT

WATERBURY VT

Rusty Parker Memorial Park

Built - 1982

Waterbury, Vermont is located in the northwest corner of the state and has Interstate 89 to Burlington and Montpelier passing through it which gives it a town with great access. In earlier times, the area was thickly settled due to its abundant supply of water, timber and great farmlands. Early self sufficient farms yielded gradually to commercial agriculture and with the establishment of Thatcher Brook and Alder Brook's business. Lumber, baskets, children's carriages, leather products, starch and scythe handles were produced in the factory.

Waterbury's pattern of development is typical of original settlements that are surrounded by less densely populated countryside. The town is comprised of Waterbury Village, which is an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its impressive collection of historically and architectural structures, Colbyville and Waterbury Center which has the famous Cold Hollow Cider Mill, one of Vermont's major tourist attractions, within its limits.

Waterbury's bandstand is located in Rusty Parker Memorial Park, so named after Waterbury native Craig "Rusty" Parker whose voice on WDEV had lifted the spirits of the community daily for almost 40 years and was one of the state's best known radio personalities. He served the community unselfishly as a selectman, trustee and committee member and suffered an untimely death on January 31, 1982 at the age of 55. That year, the Rotary Club and hundreds of contributors donated hours of hard labor and dollars to create the park and bandstand in his memory.

Not much other information is available about the bandstand but it has indeed been used every summer since its inception and draws large crowds to the band concerts.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

Mary Kasamatsu, Waterbury Public Library