“We’re known as the Park City here in Bridgeport for a reason. We know the value a park within walking distance has for kids, families and the entire community. That’s why we’re continuing to improve and create parks in every neighborhood.”– Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch
- WHO: Mayor Finch, community leaders, City Council members
- WHAT: Ribbon cutting for improvements at Went Field.
- WHERE: Intersection of Hanover Street and Wordin Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.
- WHEN: Sunday, August 2, at 11 a.m.
Bridgeport, Conn. (August 2, 2015) – Today, Mayor Finch will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at Went Field Park of Bridgeport’s West End. The ceremony will mark the completion of improvements at the park, including a new splash pad and state of the art rubber-surfaced basketball courts.
“We’re known as the Park City here in Bridgeport for a reason,” said Mayor Finch. “We know the value a park within walking distance has for kids, families and the entire community. That’s why we’re continuing to improve and create parks in every neighborhood.”
Over 100 acres of parkland have been created or renovated for Bridgeport under Mayor Finch’s leadership. Other recent projects include improvements to the park at Curiale School and the opening of Knowlton Park, a new waterfront park along the Pequonnock River.
The improvements are part of Mayor Finch’s efforts to make sure every family has a park within walking distance from their home. A new study shows that walking-distance parks help keep kids healthy, lead to higher property values, better water filtration and more volunteerism in the community.
Studies have also shown that parks serve as an economic catalyst for neighborhoods, attracting investments and economic development to the area.
Went Field has been part of Bridgeport’s history for over a century. P.T. Barnum’s Circus used the space as their winter quarters for over 50 years, training horses, tigers and other domestic exotic animals on the property.