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