Concept Plan

RESTORING GOODWIN PARK

A plan for park improvements guided by the vision of John Olmstead and Charles Eliot
developed by
The Friends of Goodwin Park
June 2012

Our Vision

By December 2015, Goodwin Park will be an exemplary destination for the appreciation of the natural environment, for family and community get-togethers, and for a variety of sports and recreational activities that enhance health and fitness for park users.

Guidelines Adopted by the Friends of Goodwin Park

We partner with the city through the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, the Director of Parks and Recreation, the department of public works, the mayor and the city council.

We seek to preserve the original landscape principles utilized by the designers of the park including planting only non-invasive species of trees, shrubs, flowers; respecting woodland areas, preserving open green space, and maintaining the health of the ponds.

We seek to achieve accessibility, to the degree possible, in all areas of the park.

We foster an open process in developing this plan.

Goals
  1. Maintain and improve the natural environment of the park.
  2. Maintain and improve the built environment of the park
  3. Improve the overall cleanliness of the park.
  4. Develop a communications strategy to further the goals of this plan.
  5. Strengthen and expand partnerships to further the goals of this plan.
  6. Develop a fundraising strategy to further the goals of this plan.
Goal 1. Maintain and Improve the Natural Environment of the Park

Action Steps
  1. Maintain and improve existing planting beds.
  2. Maintain and improve the walking path along Maple Ave.
  3. Maintain and improve trails through the wooded areas of the park.
  4. Determine if additional trails would enhance wooded areas.
  5. Maintain and expand bluebird trail.
  6. Assess health of trees, remove and plant trees as appropriate.
  7. Return the pond to a healthy and appealing water feature.
  8. Add plantings of trees, shrubs and flowers where appropriate.

Goal 2: Maintain and Improve the Built Environment of the P ark

Action Steps
  1. Install new fencing along South St. and Hubbard Road and at designated stretches of the roadway.
  2. Add a new water feature/sprinkler for children.
  3. Close the roadway to thru traffic.
  4. Resurface the basketball court and add spectator seating.
  5. Complete repairs needed in the playground.
  6. Add picnic tables, benches and grills in designated areas of the park.
  7. Re-grade the baseball and soccer fields.
  8. Resurface the tennis courts.
  9. Pave the roadway; add curbs.
  10. Develop appropriate parking areas with a view to maintaining and increasing green space.
  11. Develop a paved, handicap accessible path along borders of the park thus allowing walkers to make a complete circuit around the park.
  12. Update the fitness trail and include handicap accessible equipment.
  13. Determine community interest in additional recreational activities such as bocce, croquet, table tennis, softball, ice skating, etc.

Goal 3: Improve the overall cleanliness of the Park.

Action steps
  1. Place additional trash receptacles (including solar) at strategic locations.
  2. Collaborate with neighborhood schools to engage students in anti-littering campaign.
  3. Install dog waste bag dispensers at the entrances to the park.
  4. Organize regular park clean-up days.
  5. Work with neighborhood police officers to enforce anti-littering ordinance.
Goal 4:  Develop a Communication Strategy to Further Goals of this Plan
Action Steps 
  1. Use Friday movies in the park to provide information about and enlist new members to the Friends of Goodwin Park
  2. Create media attention for the annual October Fest
  3. Develop an informational brochure about Goodwin Park
  4. Upgrade our website
  5. Create business cards for use by members of FOGP to use for enlisting support and expanding membership
Goal 5:  Strengthen and Expand Partnerships to Further the Goals of this Plan
Partnerships as of 2014:
  1. Department of Public Works, City of Hartford
  2. Knox
  3. The Hartford Project, a program of the Urban Alliance
  4. Holiday Light Fantasia
  5. Coleman Brothers Circus
  6. CT PGA
Goal 6:  Develop a Fundraising Strategy to Further the Goals of this Plan
Action Steps
  1. Seek financial or in-kind donations from local small businesses, especially those located near the park.
  2. Seek financial support from corporations.
  3. Develop an annual budget that includes income and expenses to use with donors and grant makers.
  4. Research grants makers likely to be interested in the work of the FOGP to include foundations and government entities.
Goal 7:  Develop a Strategy to Increase the Number and Diversity of Members in the Friends of Goodwin Park
Action Steps
  1. Identify specific groups become members e.g. people with young children, people who live near park, people with specific interests, e.g.  fitness, gardening,
  2. Develop an array of membership areas for those who want to attend meetings, volunteer for activities; be on our email list, etc.
  3. Accept volunteer hours in lieu of annual dues
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