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Proposed Permanent Stage in Elizabeth Park

Plans for a permanent stage on Elizabeth Park's Rose Garden Lawn are underway.

    Permanent performance stage pitched for Elizabeth Park

    A permanent performance and ceremony stage is being plotted for West Hartford's Elizabeth Park.

    New Britain landscape architect firm TO Design LLC, on behalf of the city of Hartford, in January submitted a permit application to the town for inland wetlands and watercourses activity at the park located at 1563 Asylum Ave.

    The 83-acre park, owned by the city of Hartford, contains about 14 acres of wetland and watercourses, according to TO Design's project narrative.

    Site plans call for building a new stage consisting of a concrete platform and overhead structure, in addition to a walkway and stairs to access the stage.

    West Hartford zoning officials are expected to approve the project in March, with construction beginning after this summer's concert series in August.

    The exact cost of the project, funded by a local donar who asked to be unnamed for this story, is still undetermined, officials said Wednesday.

    The stage location, north of the park's touted rose garden, has housed a temporary platform for a summer concert series over the last 15-plus years.

    A 2017 master plan developed by the Elizabeth Park Conservancy prioritized several future improvements at the park, including erecting a permanent performance structure.

    This story has been updated

    Story by Joe Cooper, Hartford Business Journal

    Plans filed for a new permanent stage outside Elizabeth Park’s rose garden

    Elizabeth Park Conservancy and To Design have filed plans with West Hartford’s Town Plan and Zoning Commission to build a permanent stage outside Elizabeth Park’s rose garden. A public hearing is scheduled for March 4 at 7:15 p.m. at West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main St.

    Applicant Mark Fisher, Principal of New Britain-based To Design, said a donation was made to fund the nearly $150,000 project.

    If approved, construction would begin in mid-July and run through the fall, Fisher said.
    The proposed stage would replace the temporary aluminum stage in place the last 15 years, Fisher said. The stage would be 30 inches off the ground and include four steps and a storage area or dressing room with electrical equipment. A sliding door would extend along the back of the stage to be used as a performance screen.

    Construction of a permanent stage is part of the park’s 2017 master plan. Fisher said the architect is Glastonbury-based Jeff Jahnke.

    Story by Mikaela Porter, Hartford Courant