Love Where You Live: Elizabeth Park

I have many favorite spots where I live, but for me the crown jewel of Hartford is Elizabeth Park. It's the oldest public Rose Garden and the 3rd largest in the United States. This 2.1 acre public park has over 800 varieties of roses and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

I recently spent one glorious afternoon strolling around with my camera.

It was one of those rare summer days with temps. in the low 80's and no humidity!

The ivy covered pergola is spectacular outside...

and inside.

In the 1970s the city decided it could no longer afford the garden, and was determined to plow it under. Thankfully, volunteers banded together and came to the rescue.

Since then the Friends of Elizabeth Park have assisted the City of Hartford in maintaining the Rose Garden as well as the other horticultural gardens in the park and have raised funds for the restoration of the historic greenhouses and the Elizabeth Pond Memorial in 1997, also known as the Pond House Cafe.

Today the park encompasses many garden areas, pathways, century-old greenhouses, lawns, bowling greens, tennis courts, a picnic grove, and a scenic pond. It a great place to unwind and take in the beauty of this gem.