The town of Simsbury is seeking suggestions for the naming of a new park, which is currently under construction near the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge.
According to a town proposal, the park will be a half-acre plot at 1 Old Bridge Road, complete with a pavilion, benches and picnic tables, bike racks and access to Hop Brook for kayak launching.
The ongoing construction has temporarily closed the flower bridge until the park’s completion, which is is slated for November.
Although the park plans are already in motion, the future green space remains unnamed and the town is now turning to residents for suggestions.
Through July 15, the town will accept suggestions for the name of the new park.
But that doesn’t mean that any name will do.
A working group appointed by the town’s board of selectmen will review all of the suggestions and make sure the proposed names fall within the town’s naming rights policy.
The policy stipulates, for example, that town facilities can only be named in honor of a person or group if that honoree has historical significance or performed “outstanding service” to the town, if the honoree had a distinguished career in the local school system or the military or if the honoree made a significant contribution, such as a financial donation.
After reviewing the name suggestions, the working group will then make a recommendation to the board of selectmen, according to Town Manager Maria Capriola.
The board of selectmen will then vote on whether or not to adopt the recommended name.
Capriola said she expects the vote to take place at one of the board’s September meetings, so that the park has a name before its official opening later in the year.
To submit a name for the new park, complete the form on the town’s website and email it to Capriola at townmanager@simsbury-ct.gov by 7 p.m. July 15.
Additional details on the new park can also be found on the town’s website.
Emily Brindley can be reached at ebrindley@courant.com.
