With 37 acres of open greenery as well as numerous artworks, sculptures, and pieces of history, Bushnell Park has become an important attraction in Hartford, Connecticut. By actively embracing the legacy of the era but also changing with the times, Bushnell Park has been able to attract both residents and visitors in droves. Doing so highlights what it can mean for a greenspace to define a city and community.
“A Place of Life and Motion”
Created by the Rev. Horace Bushnell in 1854, what was originally known as City Park was designed to provide citizens with a green, peaceful park that would be distinct from an urban center dealing with issues brought on by the Industrial Revolution. This environment was described as “hell without the fire” due to the pollution and overcrowding. Rev. Bushnell had a love and appreciation for nature that he believed was connected with God, which was at the heart of his efforts to create a public park that he wanted to be financed entirely by public funds.
Speaking in 1853 about a desire to create “a place of life and motion that will make us more conscious of being one people,” Bushnell succeeded in convincing the community that the park could be a means of social, spiritual and moral reform. Soon after, Hartford became the first city in America to spend public funds to build a public park. It was called City Park until Bushnell’s death in 1876 when it was renamed in his honor.
The desire to create a spot that would attract citizens to get a breath of fresh air but would also be a place where children could play and events could transpire resulted in a design that included graceful paths and clusters of trees. Over the years though, this design would be augmented by numerous features that made it even more of an attraction for audiences.
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, Corning Fountain and More
Arguably the most notable feature of Bushnell Park is the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, which was dedicated in 1886 to honor over 4,000 Hartford citizens who served in the Civil War. It features a terra cotta frieze depicting scenes from the Civil War along with eight-foot-tall statues representing the different types of residents who fought in the war. Arch tours can be scheduled throughout the year.
The Bushnell Park Carousel is a vintage 1914 carousel that was brought to Hartford in 1974 to symbolize Hartford’s restoration. It was fully restored as part of a 100th birthday celebration in 2014. It is one of only three Stein and Goldstein carousels left in existence.
Corning Fountain was created by John J. Corning as a tribute to his father. Installed in 1899, the piece is made of marble and stone and is topped with the figure of a stag (or “hart,” which represents Hartford). Four maidens that represent Hartford’s agricultural history are on each side of the fountain below the stag. They reside above sculptures that depict members of the Saukiog tribe, the areas’s first inhabitants.
The Horace Wells Statue, the Spanish American War Memorial, the Pump House and the Israel Putnam Statue are a few of the other notable attractions that reside throughout the park. They’ve all helped to cultivate a sense of connection with space that resonates throughout the community and help drive revenue for stakeholders.
Driving Revenue and Community Support
The icons that are utilized throughout the park to represent the many attractions it contains are connected to the experiences audiences can have throughout. These experiences have created a strong sense of community that is evident in the many theater, music, and dance performances that take place in the park throughout the year. All of these happenings have a direct connection to revenue.
A focal point in downtown Hartford with maps and guides driving audiences to it, Bushnell Park it is the site of several festivals and music events each year. Many of them take place in the Performance Pavilion, which was installed in 1995. It was designed to blend a permanent performance stage with the historic beauty of the park. Funds for it were raised from private foundations and the Hartford Parks Trust Fund.
These sorts of revenue considerations are also evident in the Carousel, which charges rider fees. It is also the home to many parties and events, representing a key source of revenue that has cultivated further activity in the area. In 1990, a stainless steel sculpture was installed near the Carousel on a restored piece of water that has a connection to the history of the park.
The legacy of the space is reflected everywhere though, including in the playground, which is inspired by the nearby capital building. Bushnell Park indirectly supported Hartford being designated as the single capital of Connecticut, further illustrating why initiatives like adopt-a-bench programs have resonated with audiences in such a major way.
Audiences can provide this kind of support via numerous avenues though, as there are many different ways to donate to the park. The desire to do so is driven by connections that are tied to the legacy that Bushnell Park represents for audiences across the eras.
Connecting with a Legacy of the Past and Future of Hartford
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bushnell Park is visited by over one million people each year. Many residents use the space for daily for walking, running, biking, yoga, or just sitting and watching, while visitors can engage with a variety of attractions that are unique to the site. Regardless of the specifics, audiences of all types can visit the space to connect with a legacy that extends back to the Industrial Revolution. That legacy continues to evolve to cultivate experiences for audiences in the present and future.
