A new park in the city of Bridgeport is more than three-fourths of the way complete and there’s a high likelihood most of the city has not even seen it. And there’s probably just as strong a possibility most don’t even know where it’s at.

 

The reason for that may be because it’s not your typical park and it’s not in the typical location. Even better, it’s not being funded in a typical manner.

 

The park in question is Bridgeport’s first “pocket park” and it’s located at the White Oaks development. The small mark is situated just below and to the left of the Holiday Inn Express and above the Courtyard by Marriott that recently opened.

 

“We broke ground about a month ago,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Joe Shuttleworth, who also serves on the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau board. “It’s about 80 percent done. We’re looking at doing grading work and installing features on the playground equipment. Plus, we still have the basketball court to go in and some picnic tables. As for the infrastructure needed, it’s all in place.”

 

The park became possible thanks to the generosity of the Holiday Inn Express. The property owners there transferred the land needed for the park to the City of Bridgeport. While that’s certainly good news, even better news is that the City of Bridgeport didn’t pay for the park.

 

“There are no city funds involved with this,” said Shuttleworth. “Our commitment is that we’ll maintain it once it’s put in place.”

 

So who is footing the bill?

 

The Bridgeport CVB is the funding source for the project. According to CVB Board President Drew Pomeroy, $70,000 in funding was provided for the project. Pomeroy, CVB Executive Director Michelle Duez and others involved with that agency think it’s a perfect fit for what the CVB tries to provide for visitors to the city.

 

“As a CVB, we’re tasked with making a visit to the city as pleasant as possible and that park will be a tremendous asset for the visitors of the hotels in that area,” said Bridgeport CVB Executive Director Michelle Duez. “It’s also going to be a place for those workers in that area to maybe stop and have lunch or take a break, but it’s main focus is our guests visiting the city. What’s unique is that we’re supplying an amenity for those visitors who actually funded the project with the tax dollars they provide by coming to Bridgeport.”

 

Shuttleworth agreed.

 

“It’s a way to give back to the visitors who come to our area with a place for those staying to get outside and let their kids play and blow off some steam,” said Shuttleworth. “We also think the people working at White Oaks will enjoy it as well.”

 

Along with it being located in an area between the Holiday Inn Express and the Courtyard by Marriott, right along South View Drive, the new Comfort Suites and the soon-to-be-built Hawthorne Suites are also in the immediate area of the pocket park.

 

Shuttleworth said he fully anticipates the project to be done well before the end of the year. The park’s design is by the architectural division of the Thrasher Group. The Thrasher group is also providing construction management.

 

Edtor's Note: Top photo shows Joe Shuttleworth looking over some of the complete work, while the main piece of park equipment is shown below.