Dear Friend,
We did it – TA DA! We have completed the non-profit process with both the State of Connecticut and the IRS. The CPF’s mission is Colt Park Foundation’s mission is to promote a safe and healthy environment, preserve its natural appearance, enhance its active and passive use, and to increase public and private support for the enjoyment and betterment of the park by city and area residents.
The foundation has been working done over the past 12 months to seek ways to meet our mission. We held a community outreach effort to ascertain the wants and needs for improvements in Colt Park. From that we have a list of priorities which we work with the City’s DPW, Treasurer and seek other sources of funding. The priority projects includes completion of the Clemente and softball fields 1 & 2, maintenance of the pools, walkways, concession stand, Wethersfield Avenue fencing and trees. The city will be working on maintenance of the pool this year, which it will open the weekend after school gets out. The city’s CIP budget includes a renovation of the old skating rink into a futsal court. This court is used to play soccer in tight quarters and hones players control of the ball.
CPF was awarded four grants this year. We applied for four small grant this year and managed to be awarded all of them. We received funding from DEEP’s Community Forestry Small Grants Program for pruning young trees and four dogwood trees. The Connecticut Valley Garden Club, Sustainable CT and donations from many supporters provided funding for six horse chestnut trees. Four Knox planters and an extension of the Wadsworth Atheneum of Museum of Art and Hartford Public Schools Hartford Youth Art Renaissance juried art show is being funded by a Love Your Block grant. The art show will be installed around the same time as when the pool will be opening. It will be located on the pool fence along the walkway. The City of Hartford is managing an enrichment programming grant this year, Unity. Colt Park Foundation has been awarded sufficient funding for paint parties, a movie in the park, sound healing, and a bouncy house.
So as always, Colt Park has plenty to do for everyone. With the new picnic tables and benches, you can just relax and enjoy the park, grab a book from the little library, bring an instrument, come with your family and friends. If you want something more active you can hop in the pool, play softball, baseball, football, tag football, kickball, soccer, or rugby. Please look out for an announcement of the dates for the enrichment activities.
Donna Swarr
Colt Park Foundation, Chair