Botanical Garden Plan To Be Discussed

May 25, 2006
By MELISSA PIONZIO, Courant Staff Writer

The Hartford Botanical Garden Committee is planning a public meeting to discuss the creation of a botanical garden in Colt Park.

Formed in 1998, the committee's mission is to create a 21st century garden that celebrates the landscape, architecture and history of the city's parks.

"The theory behind this is to celebrate Hartford's history," said Lisa Musumeci, president of the garden project's board of directors.

"Samuel Colt had a legacy of bringing back plants to the city from all over the world. He was an avid horticulturalist, and I can't think of any better way to honor that legacy and celebrate the current ethnic diversity."

The garden location includes 18 acres and several buildings on the western edge of Colt Park, between Stonington and Wawarme streets.

A meeting is scheduled for June 6 from 7 to 8 p.m. at 34 Sequassen St. at the Colt Gateway complex. Members of the committee, along with architects and representatives from Tai Soo Kim Partners, will present a synopsis of the project.

Drawings that relate to the history of the area and the Colt family, and thoughts about the gardens that will be created, will be shown and discussed.

Several meetings have been held, including an education and horticultural session and a general information session. They were well-attended, and not only by people interested in horticulture, Musumeci said.

"We can only succeed if people feel part of the process," she said. "The next piece is to understand where we are going with the level of tourism, making it a destination garden and [being] on the loop with the convention center."

For information on the meetings, call Hartford Botanical Garden at 860-297-0112.