Mayor Stewart: “Take Ownership of This Park”
By Robin Vinci | Editor at May 5, 2024 | 6:45 pm | Print
About 200 people came out Tuesday morning, despite intermittent rain, to mark a new chapter at Central Park.
After over a year of changes at the park which included making it 33 percent larger, new landscaping, removal of trees, new granite sitting areas, newly cleaned monuments, and more, Mayor Erin Stewart held a re-dedication ceremony asking residents to “take ownership of this park”.
“Over the last 14 months, we have seen a lot of work downtown to transform this park and surrounding streets,” said Stewart. “The area where we are gathered today has long been a gathering place for this community dating back to when colonists used this space as a village a green.”
According to early histories of New Britain, the area began to take shape as more a formal park around 1830.
“It’s taken different names over the years. Union Square at one point and Central Square at another, but it has always remained a trusted meeting place for residents and visitors to meet, relax, and find a moment of tranquility in the heart of our city,” Stewart added. “This space has evolved with the innovations and changes that have come to our city, and this renovation is no different.”
Stewart said that close to a century ago, Central Park was a main meeting point for arriving and departing trolley cars. Big bands played show tunes at the park’s gazebo. By the 1940s, trolley cars had stopped running.
“Now, we are in a different era, with commuters stepping on and off at the nearby CTfastrak station and while music plays in a familiar, but different style,” Stewart said. “As we look around us and admire the changes that have taken place here, we can be assured that we can see evidence of the feeling that we have long sensed: we are a city that’s once again on the move.”
Mark Moriarty, public works director, who was assigned the duty of making the downtown more friendly and whole, by Former Mayor Timothy Stewart, reflected on what is happening downtown.
“We talked a lot about this project. We came up with a European style plaza,” said Moriarty. “The design complimented the monument. We all knew we were building something special, but we didn’t know how special. I think we made a decision that people over a hundred years ago would be proud of.”
Former Mayor Timothy Stewart said originally the design was much different.
“Our first concept was shutting down West Main Street, It changed over time,” said Timothy Stewart. “I think it is awesome. It came out great. Our biggest concern is not to fall into traps with the policing issues.”
Residents who came out to enjoy the music, art and food trucks were happy with the new park.
“It’s a great improvement to the city,” said Kristy Rosado. “I hope it stays like this with no riff-raff,” said Mike Spranzo.
“It’s a wonderful thing,” added Jill Villaincourt.
Business owner Steve Amato said the park looks beautiful.
“It’s so open and the space is so big,” Amato said. “They can have some nice events here.”
In June, bands will play every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The City is also exploring bringing a farmer’s market there as well as wellness initiatives, and other new activities.
“We now have a Central Park we can be proud of. It is up to us to use it and enjoy its beauty. I’d like to encourage all of you and your coworkers and neighbors to take ownership of this park and use it,” Mayor Stewart concluded. “As we mark the beginning of a new era for this park today, let’s make a commitment to playing an active role in showing others that we are a city proud of all that we have to offer.”
