SATURDAY: Mayor Finch, U.S. Senator Blumenthal Celebrate Grand Opening of Knowlton Park
“We've renovated and created over 100 acres of parkland, and we're just getting started. Knowlton Park has already made a significant impact on this neighborhood, serving as a catalyst for a nicer community, thriving businesses, higher quality of life in the neighborhood, and giving hardworking Bridgeporters long overdue access to the waterfront. This park is an investment in our future and in our children as we continue to make Bridgeport a place where families choose to raise their kids and grandkids.” – Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch
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WHO: Mayor Finch, U.S. Senator Blumenthal, City Council members Lydia Martinez and Milta Feliciano, Community Leaders, and residents.
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WHAT: Grand opening of Knowlton Park.
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WHEN: Saturday @ 11:00AM EST.
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WHERE: Knowlton Park, 405 Knowlton St.
Bridgeport, Conn. (June 5, 2015) – On Saturday, Mayor Bill Finch will celebrate the grand opening of Knowlton Park. He’ll be joined by elected officials and community leaders.
Located at 405 Knowlton Street on the site that was previously home to the Acme Sheer Company, the new park includes access to the waterfront with a river walkway, a basketball court, and a playground.
“We've renovated and created over 100 acres of parkland, and we're just getting started. Knowlton Park has already made a significant impact on this neighborhood, serving as a catalyst for a nicer community, thriving businesses, higher quality of life in the neighborhood, and giving hardworking Bridgeporters long overdue access to the waterfront,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “This park is an investment in our future and in our children as we continue to make Bridgeport a place where families choose to raise their kids and grandkids.”
Bridgeport is called the Park City, and it wants to make sure it’s living up to its name while improving the quality of life for its residents. Bridgeport is creating new parks and revitalizing old ones to give kids cleaner air to breathe and to revitalize neighborhoods.
Living up to its name as the Park City isn’t just so Bridgeport kids have cleaner air to breathe, it also makes sound economic sense. A recent study found that Bridgeport parks serve as a catalyst for neighborhoods, attracting investments and economic development. That’s a tangible win/win for families, businesses and the city.
Mitchell Clyne, of Fairfield, who owns property across the street from Knowlton Park, said he's thrilled with the change in the neighborhood, long characterized by industrial buildings and warehouses. "When we first bought here six years ago, that entire park was overgrown with weeds, garbage and a beat-up fence," he said. "It was kind of scary." Today, he said, the park has given the street a different feel. "You can see people when they get home from work, they take the dogs and go right to the park," he said.