June Meeting Minutes
Call to order at 8:37am
A meeting of The Park Rd Association was held at Playhouse on Park on June 18, 2026
Co-Presidents Welcome
The Wild Party – running for 6 weeks this summer at Playhouse on Park
13 planters up and down Park Road – great start bringing this back to Park Road. There is still time to participate!
Thank you to Chuck and Mary for AC Petersen history presentation.
Town Reports:
Economic Development – Kristen Gorski
Annual Park Road walk-through was held on June 2nd with Public Works, Zoning, Health Dept. Overhanging trees have already been removed. Other items in process: Zoning is addressing the shipping container on vacant lot, abandoned car, liquor stores covering all windows with advertising. Health Dept working on overflowing dumpsters, trash on properties, poison ivy close to sidewalks, and citations for crumbling/hanging siding.
Link to report a problem on Public Works page. Neighbors and businesses are encouraged to report overflowing trash cans. Public Works was able to recalibrate some of the trash can weight scales.
Beautification Committee looking at the Neat Neighbors program.
5 Sedgwick (corner of S Main) Ji Tea opened on June 15, same owner as Wabi Sabi.
Hartford Stitch will be relocating to 13 Sedgwick in Homegrown Studio space, expected to open in Sept.
Iron Horse still working on permits for upstairs expansion.
Spitz Mediterranean Street Food opened on June 12. Reviews are fantastic!
Town Manager - Rick Ledwith
US News & World Reports ranking of best places to live in the Country: West Hartford once again first in Connecticut. 44th overall ranking.
Webster Hill Blue Ribbon School, Conard best HS in CT, Hall Principal first year principal of the year.
Council Meeting Tuesday to review 3 public ordinances: leash law; red light camera program related to Vision Zero; dissolving Special Services district for Blue Back garages.
WH Pride on Saturday, June 27. Kick off 10:30 am on steps of Town Hall, festival opens at noon. Largest ever, 180+ vendors. Alyssa Edwards, of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame, will be attending.
Juneteenth event in Blue Back Square tonight.
Town Engineer: Park Rd Project
Duane Martin - Director of Community Development
Jason McCabe – Civil Engineer II, main designer for project
Project delays due to complications in scope:
time and effort being spent in attempt to include angled parking on several lots, which unfortunately did not come together;
Additional requirements for Vision Zero improvements
Commitment to increase communication around progress and milestones via email; once contractor is selected they will be available to attend PRA meetings; the project will also be added to Town website.
Additional engineering support for traffic signals will be provided.
ACTION: Kristen: time to compile a contact list for businesses so town and contractors can keep everyone informed.
Dwayne will contact Public Works regarding report of broken crosswalk signal button on Park and Oakwood/Arnoldale intersection.
PRA banners will need to be purchased in 2026, hung in 2027.
Chamber of Commerce – Chris Conway
Shout out to very successful Celebrate West Hartford.
Monday: Spotlight Awards and Annual Meeting held at Town Hall; new BOD members announced. 8 awards to be presented. Tickets still available. 15 WH Chamber restaurant members will be providing tastes.
See and Be Seen event – Midsummer Night’s Dream at St. Joe’s. New England Ballet will be performing.
Spitz Ribbon Cutting 6/24 at 2pm
Playhouse on Park
Fundraiser last weekend, back in West Hartford. 300 attendees. Doro Market, Brewery and Playhouse. LAZ managed parking, the Home Depot plaza allowed space for parking.
River Bend Bookshop
Where’s Waldo Local starts up on July 1 and runs through the month. No purchase necessary to play, just come out and enjoy Park Road!
Park Road Committees
Alicia and Hillary leading Events Committee. First Park Road After Dark at Smoke Public House was a big success. Next will be held at Salt & Lime.
Oct 3 “Fall for Park” Festival. Antique trolley will be running up and down Park Road. Will be reaching out to businesses to plan events during the festival. Rain or shine. Sponsorship packages will be available.
Meeting adjourned at 9:40am
Next Meeting: July 16 – reminder, no August morning meeting
Next Park Road Event Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Effie's Place
Next Park After Dark
Monday, August 24, 2026 from 6:00–8:00 PM
Salt & Lime
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