Project Details Page

synopsis

Goodwin Park, designed by the Olmsted firm in 1900, was named for Rev. Francis Goodwin, botanist, architect and father of the Hartford Park System. The majority of the site became a golf course years later, but aspects of the original roadway and border remain. The correspondece for Goodwin Park (formerly South Park) includes reference to other Olmsted desiged parks,

Goodwin Park, designed by the Olmsted firm in 1900, was named for Rev. Francis Goodwin, botanist, architect and father of the Hartford Park System. The majority of the site became a golf course years later, but aspects of the original roadway and border remain. The correspondece for Goodwin Park (formerly South Park) includes reference to other Olmsted desiged parks, including Keney Park (00803) and indicates Goodwin conferred with Percival Gallagher of the Olmsted firm to adjust the road curve in Keney Park in 1897.

In the winter of 1898-99 Park Superintendent Wirth wrote to the firm regarding roadways and land aquisition between Cedar Hill Cemetery and South Park. He also mentions Pope Park (00805) and the unwillingness of the Pope Motor Carriage Co. to grant roadway easements. In addition the superintendent mentions the challenge of trying to expand Riverside Park (00806) as well as the challenge of managing sheep in Goodwin Park as compared to Central Park (00502) in New York City. Gallagher again visited Goodwin Park (formerly South Park) in 1901 to advise on the location of trees along the southern circuit drive.

more