You might be too familiar with a park’s website when you immediately recognize changes on it. Elizabeth Park has decided to embrace friendlier language and acknowledge that it is a Hartford park. 

Hold on. I’m picking my jaw up off the floor. 

Instead of a list of “do not do this” they have softened the tone to encourage photography (instead of banning tripods from the gardens) and push what visitors can do. What remains on their “just stop” list is totally reasonable, especially considering some of the things I have seen people do there. They also had not allowed weddings in the past, or at least their website said they didn’t. Now, they provide information so that people can apply for a permit through the City of Hartford (because, say it with me, Elizabeth Park is a Hartford park) and have their ceremony. 

With that said, I am not convinced these cormorants are doing anything but squatting the pond. They’ve really taken to this spot — close enough to see, but too far to get a decent picture of without a safari lens. 

Elizabeth Park seems best enjoyed on weekdays during the standard work hours. The road around the rose garden remains open for people, though the other loop road has lost its people-centered use. I’m amazed by those griping that they can’t drive around the rose garden. Do you recognize how shitty photos look with cars in the background, and how immediately the sound of vehicles sucks the peace out of a park? Not to mention how irritating it is to try to leisurely walk (or jog or bike) around a park while having to constantly be on the lookout for cars pulling out of parking spaces or driving erratically? Just stop. Cars are allowed in too many places as it is. 

This chipmunk agrees. Life is easier when you are only worrying about finding your next snack and dodging hawks. 

What I like about Elizabeth Park is that it goes way, way beyond the rose garden, with plenty to see before June and after July. 

The dahlias are putting on quite the show at the moment and there is still a lot to see around the Pond House. 

 

And out of respect for other humans, when in the gardens and near the Pond House where it’s harder to maintain appropriate physical distance, wear a damn mask!