Download it, print it out, and start exploring!
Download the Map and Guide here.
And for those of you waiting for Water Taxi news: the water taxi will begin running on Memorial Day weekend, and we’ll post a schedule, rates, and other information as soon as everything’s all lined up.
“On Saturday, April 2, 2016, history buffs and preservationists from around the country will team up with the Civil War Trust to help clean and restore America’s priceless battlefields, cemeteries and shrines. Park Day is the nationwide volunteer effort created by the Civil War Trust, underwritten with a grant from History™ and endorsed by Take Pride in America, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior.” –The Hartford Courant
In New London, Fort Trumbull State Park and the Friends of Fort Trumbull will also be participating, and are hoping for lots of volunteers. Needs include cleanup, painting and minor repairs inside the fort and its grounds. For more information about Park Day at Fort Trumbull State Park, please contact Irving Moy by e-mail at [email protected]
WHEN: April 2, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Fort Trumbull State Park, Visitors Center, 90 Walbach Street, New London, Connecticut
TRHP Transition Team member and Communications Committee Chair Penny Parsekian, reporting from the “front lines” of the New London St. Patrick’s Day Parade today, where the water taxi float carried many members through the streets to greet its adoring public:
“Dave Crocker [of Crocker’s Boat Yard, where the water taxi is stored] did an awesome job bringing the boat to the parade. He has a motorized platform with little waves alongside, so we looked like a real float! Our boat was probably the largest thing in the parade, and riding high in the cockpit, we had a good view.
Marian [Galbraith], Chris [Cox], Brent [Eugenides] and his wife Robyn, Joe [Selinger], Deborah [Donovan], Mark Jalbert and I, and husband Geoff, plus some folks from Dave’s operation, made a good showing.
Dave brought along hats and beads and foil wrapped chocolate coins to toss, so we all looked the part, though we refrained from tossing to follow the parade rules. Crowds lined Bank and State streets and cheered the water taxi. At the official reviewing stand, with the mayor and other officials, we were announced and praised for our good work.
Marian got the water taxi signs from the Avery-Copp House, and they were secured to the sides and the back of the boat, so everyone knew who we were. We have now officially launched the marketing campaign!”
The Thames River Heritage Park Transition Team will be holding an informational forum for key partners to discuss the new Heritage Park, the function of the Heritage Park Foundation, and how historic sites and municipalities can potentially benefit from the coordination and linkages that the new designation will provide.
The event, which is co-sponsored by the New London Day and Atlantic Broadband, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 31 in the Oasis Room at the Garde Arts center in New London, and will feature Alan Plattus, director of the Yale Urban Design Workshop, who will present his blueprint for the park, and talk about the benefits of tying the various attraction together with a common theme, signage and programming.
Officials from the state departments of Energy and Environmental Protection, Transportation and Economic and Community Development have also been invited.
This Forum is a chance for representatives of the principal history/heritage organizations in the area as well as the staff and leadership of Groton Town, Groton City and New London, to become more aware of the program opportunities, current vision and progress as we establish together the Thames River Heritage Park.
As we expect that the Water Taxi will be in operation this summer, we believe the future growth and development of the Park will depend on the interests of its visitors, the programs and capacity of our area presenting institutions, and on the way we service our local and visiting audiences. Questions and answers will emerge; new ideas will come to light; some organizations will find new ways to attract larger audiences: we expect the Park will take several years to mature into a dynamic visitor experience.
We are confident that our collection of historical resources is excellent, and with the eventual addition of the Nautilus Museum and the Coast Guard Museum to the water shuttle service, and other likely additions, we are eager for our first year of operation.
Future forums and meetings with individual sites, arts and cultural organizations, and local businesses will follow throughout the coming months. It’s the goal of the Transition Team to have the Heritage Park be a collaborative effort with input and participation from all organizations and groups within the borderless park to help promote and encourage tourism, commerce, and preservation of the natural and historic resource that is the Thames River area.
The Yale Urban Design Study, by Alan Plattus, can be found here.
“This will be a chance to reacquaint people with the park and for them to hear from they who did the plan,” notes Transition Team Chair Chris Cox. “This will allow a wide variety of people to see this as an emerging, but real project; that we want their participation; and hope for imagination and strong partners going forward.”
Crocker’s Boat Yard in New London, which has been graciously storing our new water taxis, posted this photo on their Facebook page:
Prepping our parade float for St. Patrick’s Day Parade New London with the Thames River Heritage Park Boat!
Many members of the Transition Team, including Groton City Mayor Marian Galbraith, will be riding in the boat as it becomes an Irish “boat-float” for a day. Come to the parade (Sunday the 13th at 1pm) and meet the water taxi!
We ♥ Crocker’s Boat Yard!
Thames River Heritage Park Foundation
P.O. Box 851
New London, CT 06320
Administration
(860) 444-4401 / Email
General Inquiries/Boat Operations
(860) 333-6706
Today is Monday, November 25, 2024 