Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Nassau Financial Group staff and others gathered at Bushnell Park’s nearly 110-year-old carousel Tuesday to celebrate the replacement of more than 800 bulbs of the attraction with efficient LED lighting.
The $50,000 project, funded by Nassau, is one of several ongoing and planned efforts to beautify the nation’s oldest municipal park, a key amenity located between Hartford’s downtown and the seats of state government.
The city is also planning an estimated $2 million project to dredge and restore water clarity to Lily Pond, a scenic pond with fountains in the park. City officials have applied for a local wetlands permit for the work, which is expected to commence in the coming winter.
The work includes dredging about 2,000 cubic yards of sediment from the 0.83-acre pond and restoration of pumping equipment and a well to provide a continuous supply of fresh water. The intent is to alleviate stagnant water conditions and improve water quality and appearance.
In a ceremony celebrating Nassau’s contribution Tuesday, Bronin noted recent replacement of walkways and lighting on the park’s east side and ongoing work to paths and lighting on the western side, as well as a recent expansion and weatherization project at the structure housing the carousel.
“As you can see there is so much love and care and investment going into it to make sure this beautiful historic park remains a beautiful park,” Bronin said.
Nassau worked with the Bushnell Park Foundation to complete the bulb upgrades.
“As a result of our efforts and with essential support from our corporate community, of which Nassau is an important part, we are enhancing Hartford’s growth and vibrancy, making Hartford a destination where people will want to live, work and have a lot of fun,” Bushnell Park Foundation President Tom Baptist said.
According to a posterboard at Tuesday’s event, the carousel lighting upgrade will reduce the equivalent of 10,539 pounds of CO2 emissions.
This is the first of three $50,000 projects Nassau’s “Green Team” will tackle in Hartford this year. Working with the Hartford Chamber of Commerce and iQuilt Partnership, Nassau also plans to contribute to lighting upgrades on Constitution Plaza and downtown Main Street.
“We view these as opportunities to make lives better for the community as well as our employees,” Nassau Chief Risk Officer Vernon Young said at Tuesday’s ceremony. “The City of Hartford has always been a great partner to Nassau as a place to conduct business.”
