Elizabeth Park, Hartford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Park
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The greenhouse and herb garden at Elizabeth Park
Location	Asylum Ave West Hartford, Connecticut
Area	102 acres (41 ha)
NRHP reference No.	83001259
Added to NRHP	March 10, 1983

Elizabeth Park is a beautiful public park located in both Hartford and West Hartford, Connecticut. It spans over 102 acres (about 41 hectares) and is famous for its stunning gardens, especially its historic Rose Garden. The park is so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning it's recognized for its important history and beauty.

Park History

This land once belonged to a wealthy man named Charles M. Pond. He was a financier and even served as Connecticut's treasurer in the 1870s. In 1894, Mr. Pond decided to give his large estate to the City of Hartford. He had one special request: the park had to be named after his late wife, Elizabeth.

The city officially took over the land in 1897. To design the park, they hired a very famous landscaping company called Olmsted and Son. This company was known for designing many beautiful parks across the United States.

The Famous Rose Garden

Creating the Rose Garden

In 1904, the park's first superintendent, Theodore Wirth, had a wonderful idea. He created the park's most famous feature: the Rose Garden. This garden covers about 2.5 acres (1 hectare) and is truly special. It is the oldest public rose garden in the United States. Today, it has about 15,000 rose bushes with 800 different types of roses!

Saving the Rose Garden

By the 1970s, the city of Hartford faced financial challenges. They announced they could no longer afford to take care of the large Rose Garden. At first, they even thought about removing all the rose bushes. But then, a group of dedicated volunteers stepped in to help.

In 1977, these volunteers teamed up with Vic Jarm, who was the Park Superintendent at the time. Together, they formed a group called the "Friends of Elizabeth Park." Their first goal was to raise $10,000. This money was needed to replace many rose bushes that had died because they weren't getting enough care.

Since then, the Friends of Elizabeth Park have continued to help the City of Hartford. They assist in keeping the Rose Garden beautiful, along with the other gardens in the park. They also raise money for important projects, like restoring the old greenhouses and the Elizabeth Pond Memorial in 1997. This memorial is also known as the Pond House Cafe. Most of the money for the park comes from individuals and special trusts.

What You Can See Today

Today, Elizabeth Park offers many things to see and do. You can explore various garden areas and walk along peaceful pathways. The park has century-old greenhouses, which are buildings made of glass for growing plants. There are also large lawns, areas for bowling, tennis courts, and a nice spot for picnics. A scenic pond adds to the park's beauty.

It's interesting to know that the border between Hartford and West Hartford has changed over time. Because of this, one of Hartford's biggest parks is now mostly located within the town of West Hartford!

Image gallery

See also

In Spanish: Connecticut's Elizabeth Park para niños