Why so many photos of Pope Park on Real Hartford?

On social media, there is an abundance of photos of Bushnell Park and Elizabeth Park, so much so that a person not familiar with Hartford may believe these are the City’s only two parks.

Pope Park is my neighborhood park.

I can walk to it before being fully awake, it’s that close. Literally, I can fall into it by walking off the end of my street.

That means seeing the joggers and dog walkers first thing in the morning. The elders starting the day by getting their steps in. A few people who slept there, stretching and taking in the scenery.

What does Bushnell Park have that Pope Park doesn’t?

A monument designed by George Keller? Nope, Pope Park has one of those too.

Wildlife? Pope Park has hawks, herons, red-winged blackbirds, geese, ducks, groundhogs, squirrels, skunks, and deer.

A buried river? Pope Park has the Park River above ground and buried, and  access to where that transition between worlds occurs.

So, I’ll issue this challenge again for those living in the West End or Downtown: this week, visit a City of Hartford park outside of those neighborhoods.

If you’re looking for where to start, Keney Park is especially stunning when the leaves are changing colors, and one of the best views is on the Tower Avenue entrance.