[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6527612,"mediaKeyId","3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a","parentId",3560133,"title","Committee backs ordinance to fine parking on park grass, debates booting policy","audioSeconds",1685,"startMs",353000,"endMs",2038000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a&start=353&end=2038","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a/thumbnail_353000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527612/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Committee-backs-ordinance-to-fine-parking-on-park-grass-debates-booting-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527612-e51801060c43fbb0b99e08061401484a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197715&Signature=Q-7Hg2pZDd-Xz-E04CZCGVWfuVE78--xCqRtbOuRRmpiSs-M9tMWEM4CPK4BjnWgby4NPfhxjz~rFb3WAXxGruQcFZZasbw8dV7b4kzPe-2b72w5ijB9c0mgM-ybSEtTy6Zhsvyvtbgg3Z8ESqcrLGVYtjYls2cr2EPEy6Z41N8anVTFTYdcud0uFyYDqbnPM9CQ6OKnhMlvFAuOk5AfGOR1H-ayMpsAzarwHcX5KA-0HABY~cu1KfczSbJ7OxcVTwUfKr1uUWN196hp59H08ya7U8io-BuivqL~QtK9szPnGGnvn2BCdzAP3mP2aI5G9g64uaRTYYZCbSPFRBnj3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hartford, CN","date","2025-05-28T19:54:15Z","article","The Creation and Environment Committee voted to send to the full City Council a proposed ordinance that would make parking on the grass in Hartford\u0000owned parks, open space or green space a fineable offense and authorize enforcement by the Hartford Parking Authority (HPA).

The proposal is intended to let the HPA enforce no-parking rules inside city parks, including portions of parkland that fall outside municipal boundaries, and to coordinate with friends groups and event organizers on targeted enforcement, HPA staff said.

HPA staff described repeated contacts from park groups about vehicles parking on turf and creating safety and traffic hazards. \"The HPA has been contacted by multiple city parks in regards to parking concerns ... most notably, parking on the grass,\" a HPA presenter told the committee.

Why it matters: The ordinance expands enforceable categories in the municipal code to cover parking on grass and city-owned open spaces. Committee members pressed the administration about whether the change would allow HPA or police to immobilize vehicles that are \"scofflaw\" eligible (past-due citations that can trigger a boot), and whether immobilization should be explicitly prohibited inside parks.

Discussion and details

Council President Shirley Surgeon and other members said friends groups and park users back enforcement for repeated or dangerous parking. Surgeon asked whether cars with outstanding parking debt would be immobilized if cited while parked in a park; HPA said the matter depends on existing municipal code language and corporate counsel review.

HPA staff said immobilization is currently discretionary under section 22-42(b) of the municipal code, which addresses \"impounding and immobilization authorized.\" A HPA official said: \"I will say we don't boot on the weekends because the office isn't open. And I believe my understanding for the parks is that most of the concerns are Saturday and Sunday.\" The director also said the authority would prefer that any policy excluding booting in parks be spelled out in ordinance language rather than left to discretionary practice.

Committee members and DPW officials also discussed how the rule would apply to permitted events such as parades. City staff said event permitting already designates parking and that DPW and HPA participate in event planning; the ordinance authorizes fines but city event permits and DPW coordination can produce exceptions where appropriate.

Enforcement capacity and vendor support

HPA said it would likely add staff seasonally to cover weekend peaks and events; the authority\u0000tickets on weekends for safety but does not typically immobilize vehicles on days the office is closed.

Outcome and next steps

A motion to forward the ordinance to the full council with a favorable recommendation passed. Committee members asked that the city\u0000corporation counsel be consulted and that the council consider a subsequent amendment to clarify whether immobilization is permitted in parks. The committee noted interest in starting enforcement before peak summer use but said an explicit future amendment could be brought for section 22-42(b).

Votes at a glance: motion to send the ordinance to full council with a favorable recommendation — passed (yes: 2; abstain: 1).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hartford Public Works, Parks, Recreation & Environment Committee Meeting May 28, 2025, Live","oneSentenceSummary","The Creation and Environment Committee voted to send to the full City Council a proposed ordinance that would allow fines for parking on grass in Hartford\u0000owned parks and related open spaces, while committee members pressed for explicit limits on immobilizing vehicles inside parks.","taxTitle","Hartford City, Hartford County, Connecticut","taxId",5895,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527599,"Parks advisory commission presents spring update; committee appoints new commissioner Melida Godet",0,3306000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a&start=3306&end=3306","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a/thumbnail_3306000.jpg","/articles/6527599/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Parks-advisory-commission-presents-spring-update-committee-appoints-new-commissioner-Melida-Godet","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527599-0093012b5647cc3fc692b7327b6a7adf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197715&Signature=AcF~93Nztk4FLG4OIBWCyaHPJAwzfkN0oPi8MVdY73A4STwYpJkEb9BdUg9trH0Q-4THbmvFNtHrp-f727zgV1b59OWlqBDuFUj7dmFp0M8HLN-oT63XHoBl7rpB7Mk5BQ3cqGB7kx6OYexX8i6VIYWVWhzvAoU-m3fFW5mpqZZ0~RliaJ9aDZ3ZXKJR1sc-YsESXCebvMKIF~C8bP8yZzATIASgjYi51U0qJpEZQVoSpk8m3WyTedXoj0OqXKzy4YLRsVeamTXS1tHTvdiiOhotLljtMDvUOzKDuPFeuU1A1TLRg0q3tXpku9ssK9SVpRtfIJHVGYtZy4ZWooM4Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Creation and Environment Committee heard a lengthy spring update from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) and voted to send the mayor's appointment of Melida Godet to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

PRAC report highlights

PRAC Commissioner Donna Shor and other PRAC members summarized a year of activity across Hartford's park system. Key highlights included:
- Colt Park: Forestry work and hillside cleanup removed unsafe brush and illegal dumping; PRAC credited volunteers and the park superintendent for the work. A $90,000 grant from the National Park Service funded restoration work on the Sam Colt Monument entrance.
- Facility and safety upgrades: PRAC noted improvements under the Colt Park veranda and new vehicle/maintenance access designed to reduce vehicle traffic through heavily used pedestrian areas.
- Programming and maintenance challenges: PRAC described heavy use of parks for sports, community events and the need for better field maintenance, heat- and water-related upkeep (fountains, pump houses), vandalism, unauthorized use including ATVs, and recurring litter and dumping issues.
- Pocket parks: Commissioners emphasized that Hartford's numerous small pocket parks provide walking-distance access for most residents and urged consistent budget attention to those small sites.

Appointment

Melida Godet introduced herself and said she recently moved to Hartford after serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission in Winston-Salem, N.C.; she said she currently works in college athletics. The committee unanimously voted to forward her appointment to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Why it matters: PRAC's report lays out capital and maintenance priorities that will inform the parks master plan, grant requests and community outreach; the appointment fills a PRAC seat and brings a member with prior commission experience.

Votes at a glance: motion to send appointment of Melida Godet to full council with favorable recommendation — passed (unanimous).","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission delivered a broad spring update on work across Hartford parks, including Colt Park cleanups and a $90,000 National Park Service-funded Sam Colt Monument restoration; the committee also approved the mayor's appointment of Melida Godet to the commission.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527604,"Committee OKs resolution to authorize Batterson Park MOU; DEEP passport funding to support Riverfront management",1181,2249000,3430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a&start=2249&end=3430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a/thumbnail_2249000.jpg","/articles/6527604/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Committee-OKs-resolution-to-authorize-Batterson-Park-MOU-DEEP-passport-funding-to-support-Riverfront-management","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527604-0eff7c955c7a2c99f37cfafc1e078e40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197715&Signature=C7HYLQinS~Pw42gkOhHHecgU2Tc1np9vZdRQFzvFOUntC2MT8YcwnG9kAfcdh5PN4EiUp~JkjtV-Wzf9Cj-MpW1pPIrHQLtBvKlVhau-fOcd5syESiY~jC2i8CWWwL8RravnKyBI1YbJlr0eE5Tp0m8LmBANgHxng8C0PBZJOXhkcr4VLCo-tP8XSmAK7E7~QAZ0~sMcKZTu0GUhjeVqqz2zVj4mxuFjxVPvfIPGMBWb59-JPAsg2yJflXCuXNWT4Bt6r9KmhZ0HgNbJq15pnRt3d3Iq~7Aw6M-57utDyBSFGh0r8GTeLoGe3Tj8tmvjC58BSHLy1LJmFEv24yOfhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Creation and Environment Committee voted to forward to the full City Council a resolution authorizing the City of Hartford to enter into agreements that would make Riverfront Recapture the park operator for Batterson Park and to accept state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Passport to Parks funding to support management.

Paul Drummy and Riverfront Recapture CEO Mike Zaleski described a three-part set of agreements under discussion: (1) a three-way memorandum of agreement between DEEP, the city and Riverfront Recapture to connect Passport to Parks funding to the project; (2) a park management agreement between the city and Riverfront Recapture for day-to-day operations; and (3) an allocation of project funds for Riverfront to purchase equipment and vehicles needed to begin management.

Funding and operations

Staff told the committee the current draft contemplates DEEP making a grant allocation of $800,000 a year to Riverfront Recapture directly to manage Batterson Park, for an initial five-year contract with two five-year renewal options. The agreements are intended to fund day-to-day maintenance so the operational burden would not come out of the city's general fund for those years.

Planned improvements and use

City and Riverfront staff said the park's planned first-phase reopening would include trails, an event lawn, an amenities building and a splash pad; project work is on a schedule that staff said aims for a September reopening. Staff also said future phases could allow for expanded water access such as kayak or canoe launches and other recreational water uses if future funding and environmental conditions allow.

Community access and fees

Staff emphasized that acceptance of Passport to Parks funds means admission cannot be charged at the site; instead, DEEP funding supports public access. Riverfront representatives said there may be non-paying incentives to encourage Hartford residents to use the park and that public transportation options to the site will be publicized.

Outcome

Committee members praised the partnership and the resolution was forwarded to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance: motion to send Batterson Park management resolution to full council with a favorable recommendation — passed (unanimous).","Committee forwarded a resolution authorizing agreements to have Riverfront Recapture operate and maintain Batterson Park, with the state DEEP Passport to Parks fund proposed to provide $800,000 per year to Riverfront Recapture for park management; the park is scheduled for a targeted September reopening.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527609,"Committee endorses application for $1 million HUD grant to stabilize Colt Park carriage house",364,1991000,2355000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a&start=1991&end=2355","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3560133-adb6b347542425fb82bb4c4dc55ed33a/thumbnail_1991000.jpg","/articles/6527609/Hartford-City/Hartford-County/Connecticut/Committee-endorses-application-for-1-million-HUD-grant-to-stabilize-Colt-Park-carriage-house","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527609-81dfc716a7f17d36c22d038e7fde6f08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197715&Signature=noZlC1ScL9FVtJ843w55Ss7XfF7GN9LEpy3O1nitK-9MJY7CXggoK6XTJ0GtY7o~K6jNA2mEt-41FFZhR8yb80Z7hZPnhspfoyOQlVVIEnXMuFjJTzS9hqVVmQ42nipNJbXTddbw3Wx2wceC-sHJ-GsZ2h~n2rmoUxO6oFCdJF-8ZC1qwVjwCT94czqE95MlPKM6XNXwltVLTXEOM~GeOwCvQDK0Pacom-G6n0EqHddqQFP5g1Oc6ZD4Zn6EdxmN6hnja-kgmIA1sFuu8ZEDwtYUtVRwNazwA7aqrfk4y7iLI32S061s0Dzluw2Xw8h7jIcakY7l3xbs8hh~5F3imw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Creation and Environment Committee voted to forward to the full council a resolution authorizing Hartford to apply for and accept up to $1,000,000 in federal Community Project Funding (HUD) for structural rehabilitation at the Colt Park Carriage House and Gardener\u0000s Cottage.

City architect Julia Jack told the committee the grant request is focused on stabilizing historically significant park buildings that the city has identified as \"in dire need of structural rehabilitation.\" \"This resolution has to do with a $1,000,000 grant from HUD that we are requesting approval to accept,\" Jack said.

The grant request is intended to make the buildings structurally sound and weather-tight; Jack said the funding will likely cover a new roof and exterior work and \"not a whole lot of interior upgrades.\" The city plans a site visit and walk-through with the Hartford Preservation Alliance and community stakeholders the following Wednesday to refine the scope.

Why it matters: Colt Park buildings are historic features in a high-use park; the proposed funds would preserve structures that city staff described as vacant and potentially structurally unstable. Stabilization work preserves options for future uses but does not presuppose a final programmatic plan for the buildings.

Questions and next steps

Committee members asked about planned future uses; Jack said the city expects to ensure structural stability first, and any programmatic decision on long-term use will involve the Colt Park Foundation and the community. The site walk is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. next Wednesday and is open to interested council members, staff said.

Outcome

The committee voted unanimously to forward the resolution to the council with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance: motion to send Colt Park HUD grant resolution to full council with a favorable recommendation — passed (unanimous).","The committee voted to send a resolution to the council authorizing the city to apply for and accept a $1 million HUD grant to stabilize the Carriage House and Gardener's Cottage at Colt Park; work would focus on structural stabilization and exterior repairs rather than full interior renovation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs ordinance to fine parking on park grass, debates booting policy

Parks advisory commission presents spring update; committee appoints new commissioner Melida Godet

Committee OKs resolution to authorize Batterson Park MOU; DEEP passport funding to support Riverfront management

Committee endorses application for $1 million HUD grant to stabilize Colt Park carriage house