ABOUT COLT PARK FOUNDATION

Colt Park Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that fundraises and advocates for the well-being of Colt Park. In collaboration with the Friends of Colt Park, we organize park clean-ups, plantings and fun events for residents. Colt Park Foundation also applies for grants to help improve park amenities. We prioritize the selection of grants in terms of natural, recreational, public safety and maintenance needs of the park. The foundation has several generous supporters: Eagle Scout Troop 105, Hartford Public Schools Art Department, Wadsworth Atheneum, Los Amigos Softball League, Mega Education, CID, Coltsville National Historical Park, Greater Hartford Garden Club, Sustainable CT, Eversource, Our Piece of the Pie, Love Hartford, Luna Productions, River Growers CT, Unity City of Hartford, the Connecticut Urban Forest Council, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

ABOUT COLT PARK

Colt Park will soon be part of Coltsville National Historical Park.
Location: 106 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, Connecticutm 06114
Area: 106 acres
Established: 1905
National Park Status: pending

Colt Park is a city park in Hartford’s Sheldon/Charter Oak neighborhood. Officially established in 1905, the park was gifted by the former Armsmear Estate of Samuel Colt and Elizabeth Jarvis Colt. The grounds were originally designed in High Victorian Gothic style, and served as Colt's exclusive "pleasure-grounds." The park boasted large reflecting pools, rustic furnishings, fountains, urns, statuary, artificial ponds for fish and foul, a deer park, orchards, fields and more. Colt Park was the last major addition to the City of Hartford Parks System, which was gifted to the city in 1905 following the passing of Elizabeth Colt.

Today the park is home to playgrounds, athletic fields, a pool, a splash pad, pavilions, walking paths, natural beauty and open green space. Colt Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 8, 1976, designated as part of the Colt Industrial District (Coltsville), valued for its association with industrialist Samuel Colt. It is bounded by Wawarme, Wethersfield, Hendricxsen, Van Dyke Avenues and Stonington, Maseek and Sequassen Streets. In 2019, “Field #9” was renamed in honor of Hartford native and Negro league baseball player Johnny "Schoolboy" Taylor. In 2016, Coltsville was authorized to be a National Historical Park, however the official designation has yet to be established.

HISTORY

In 1900, Mrs. Elizabeth Jarvis Colt promised more than 106 acres of land to the City of Hartford. The gift was accepted by the Common Council on November 13, 1905. The donated lands, extended from Wethersfield Avenue to the Connecticut River. A plan was developed for the park by Theodore Wirth, Parks Superintendent. This plan retained a portion of the Colt estate grounds, including an ornamental pond with picturesque plantings, grand shade trees and a curving drive. The balance of the land was lined with trees, leaving open space in the middle for field play.

A granite and bronze memorial to Colonel Samuel Colt sits upon the main entrance to the Colt Park. The inscribed memorial says: “On the grounds which his taste beautified by the home that he loved this memorial stands to speak of his genius, his enterprise and his success and of his great and loyal heart. His wife in faithful affection dedicates this memorial, 1905.” Elm trees in the park drives were planted in 1920 to commemorate one hundred and eighty-nine men who lost their lives during World War I. In 1926 memorial tablets were provided by the American Legion.

The lands for Dillon Stadium were also part of the original Colt gift. First opened in 1935, the stadium was a FERA project (Federal Emergency Relief Administration). The related Field House was erected in 1939. Stadium seating capacity is 9,600. Lighting was introduced in 1964. The block west of the stadium is used for surface parking. The venue was renamed known Trinity Health Stadium in 2022.

Colt Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 8th, 1976. It was designated as part of the Colt Industrial District, valued for its association with Samuel Colt, bounded by Wawarme, Wethersfield, Hendricxsen, Van Dyke Avenues and Stonington, Masseek and Sequassen Streets. In 2016, the entire area of Coltsville was authorized to be a National Historical Park, however that official designation has not yet been established.

MISSION STATEMENT

To promote a safe environment, preserve nature, enhance active and passive use, and to increase public and private support for the enjoyment and betterment of Colt Park by city and area residents.

Get involved by attending our next fundraiser or park clean up!

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