Bushnell Park, - Hartford, CT USA - Municipal Parks and Plazas on Waymarking.com

In 1853, to preserve some open space for public use, Reverend Horace Bushnell presented the idea of a public park, financed by public funds. This was a new concept and was initially met with skepticism.

Reverend Bushnell's presentation was so convincing that the Hartford City Council unanimously voted to spend public funds to buy the land. Hartford voters approved the expenditure on Jan. 5, 1854, making it the first municipal park in the nation to be conceived.

In 1860 the park was finally designed by Jacob Weidenmann. Decorated with a tremendous variety of trees and plants along the Park River. After the great flood of 1936, the park was redesigned. The river was buried in a conduit. The Lily Pond was later added to give the park a water feature.

Today the park is lovely area to walk, relax and escape the city.

Name: Bushnell Park Street Location: Trinity St Local Municipality: Hartford State/Province, etc.: Connecticut Country: USA Web Site: [Web Link] Memorial/Commemoration: Reverend Horace Bushnell Date Established: 1854 Picnic Facilities: None Recreational Facilities: I did not see any sport facilities, on my many visits, other than a couple swing sets on the far eastern end. The park has a carousel (1914) that has rides for $1 - find that waymark too! Monuments/Statues: Horace Wells and Israel Putnam Art (murals/sculpture, etc.): Spanish American War Memorial Fountains: Corning Fountain Ponds/Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Beach: The Pond near Jewell St Special Events: Jazz, Dance and theater at the pavillion, Annual Summer Solstace Party Traditional Geocaches: Bushnell Park - GCWQJW

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Date Logged Log   07/24/2013 buffalohiker visited it 10/14/2012 coolcamaro visited it 05/01/2010 king.hubi visited it 09/29/2009 Mr Echo visited it 09/29/2009 KDubs visited it

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