Letter from the Chair

Prior to 2022, the Friends of Colt Park organized clean-ups, plantings and events for residents. We advocated for park improvements and held annual events like Trunk or Treat on Halloween. The organization felt that to better serve the community, we needed to become a more formalized organization. This past year, Colt Park Foundation (CPF) completed requirements to become an 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As a registered nonprofit, CPF will be able to apply for more grants, significantly more funding and to be a better partner with the Hartford Department of Public Works and the National Park Service, for whom we are ever thankful.

CPF has already secured several grants in 2022. Our nonprofit prioritizes the selection of grants in terms of natural, recreational, public safety and maintenance needs of the park. We appreciate support from a wide variety of sources: Eagle Scout Troop 105, Hartford Public Schools Art Department, Wadsworth Atheneum, Los Amigos Softball League, Mega Education, CID, Coltsville National Historical Park, Greater Hartford Garden Club, Sustainable CT, Eversource, Our Piece of the Pie, Love Hartford, Luna Productions, River Growers CT, Unity City of Hartford, the Connecticut Urban Forest Council, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

CPF conducts community outreach efforts including; a notice board on the little library, Colt Park Foundation and Friends Facebook, Instagram, Coltpark.org, articles and images in the Hartford News. Our board is represented by community leaders with members on the City's Park and Recreation Advisory Council and a board member on CSS Con NRZ. Every two years we gather resident input to assist in prioritization of improvements in Colt Park.

CPF had a great first year as a nonprofit. The Greater Hartford Arts Council awarded us almost $10,000 in Hartford Creates funding, an all-season events grant for 2023 programming. We look forward to providing upcoming art-infused events and other community-centered activities in Colt Park.

Gratefully,

Donna S. Swarr