Riverfront Recapture, Inc.

Our Goals 1) To restore access to the Connecticut River through the development of parks and public recreational facilities that improve the quality of life for people who live and work in Metro Hartford; 2) To create an attractive destination for visitors?as well as residents; 3) To encourage economic development in Metro Hartford by leveraging public investment in the Riverfront Parks to attract private investment to neighboring property?creating jobs, generating additional tax revenues, and revitalizing the region.

Riverfront Recapture invites you to come to the River! Our private, non-profit organization is leading the effort to reconnect metropolitan Hartford with the Connecticut River and provide community access to the waterfront through four beautiful parks in Hartford and East Hartford. Our network of parks and public recreational facilities draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the ever-improving waterfront every year. Stroll miles of trails and walkways; fish, boat, or row. Experience teamwork on the challenge course and enjoy the annual Riverfest celebration, fireworks and free concerts and festivals all season long. We even have the Boathouse banquet facility available for your next private party. There?s always something to do at the River! 1980 Public seminar at the Old State House showcases potential benefits of reconnecting to the river. Hosted by The Travelers Insurance Companies, in cooperation with the Downtown Council, the City of Hartford, Connecticut River Watershed Council, and the Hartford Architecture Conservancy. 1981 Riverfront Recapture, Inc. is created to develop a comprehensive plan to reunite Hartford with its Riverfront. 1982 A four-month study of the Riverfront?s possibilities is published, inviting the community to help develop ?a Riverfront Plan that works.? 1983 The Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund makes a grant to design and construct initial physical improvements in Hartford and East Hartford. 1984 The Connecticut Department of Transportation agrees to restore public access to the Riverfront when it reconstructs I-91. Plans are completed for improvements to Hartford?s Riverside Park, East Hartford?s boat launch area, and a site beneath the Charter Oak Bridge in Hartford. 1985 A new dock and scenic overlook are completed at Hartford?s Charter Oak Landing. A gazebo and playscape are among the first improvements at Riverside Park. 1986 The Connecticut General Assembly makes its first authorization of funds to Riverfront Recapture for park development. Excursion boat service returns to Hartford. The first phase of East Hartford?s Great River Park is opened. 1987 Groundbreaking ceremonies launch the second phase of Great River Park improvements. Plans are completed for a new park at Charter Oak Landing. 1988 Charter Oak Landing construction begins. Architects are hired to design a plan for a public space over I-91 that will restore access to the Riverfront. 1989 Charter Oak Landing, featuring the first portion of the riverwalk system, opens to the public. Floating docks at Riverside Park encourage expansion of community boating. 1990 The Connecticut Department of Transportation accepts Riverfront Recapture?s designs for a landscaped platform over I-91 and a pedestrian promenade on Founders Bridge - guaranteeing the projects will be built. East Hartford?s first stretch of riverwalk, between the Bulkeley and Founders Bridges, is opened. Master planning begins for a Windsor riverwalk. 1991 The Connecticut Department of Transportation awards a contract for the ambitious I-91 project that includes Riverfront Recapture?s designs for restored access between downtown and the River. Construction begins on additional improvements that will double the size of Charter Oak Landing. A 12-state eastern regional bass tournament returns to the Riverfront for a second consecutive year, the first time that the competition took place at the same site in consecutive years. 1992 Construction begins on the I-91 project. Ceremonies dedicate new facilities at Charter Oak Landing, including a boat launch and wharf and a children?s playscape. Construction begins on the next phase of public improvements to Riverside Park. A national triathlon attracts 1,100 athletes for a competition that includes a swim in the river. 1993 Planning begins for riverwalks that will connect downtown Hartford with Riverside Park to the north and Charter Oak Landing to the south. Work is completed for Riverside Park improvements, including lighting, picnic areas, riverwalks, and additional parking. Riverfront Recapture expands its Community Boating Program with the addition of two eight-oared shells and creates a crew program at Hartford Public High School. 1994 Construction begins on the final phase of the original master plan for East Hartford?s Riverfront, improvements to include an amphitheater and a longer boat ramp. Planning begins for a boathouse in Riverside Park for the growing Community Boating Program. The Windsor Town Council approves the master plan for Riverfront park development. Riverfront Recapture hosts a BASSMASTER Top 100 Tournament, which attracts a national field of professional and amateur anglers?the first time a tournament of this caliber is held in the Northeast. The elevated section of I-91 in downtown Hartford is demolished, clearing the way for the landscaped plaza over the highway that will reunite the central city with its Riverfront. 1995 American Rivers selects Riverfront Recapture for one of its first ?America?s Most Improved Urban Rivers? awards, in the category of economic revitalization. The award recognizes the importance of Riverfront sporting events that bring visitors here to spend time and money. Federal funding is approved for a pedestrian bridge over Columbus Boulevard to connect Constitution Plaza with the I-91 platform that?s in construction. 1996 The completion of East Hartford?s amphitheater and the southern portion of the riverwalk over the Hockanum River to the Charter Oak Bridge opens pedestrian and bicycle access between the Hartford and East Hartford Riverfront parks. The Capitol Region Partnership, a consortium of regional organizations, convenes the Ad Hoc Riverfront Council to review the project?s economic development potential and to recommend a management plan. 1997 The Ad Hoc Riverfront Council recommends a riverfront parks management structure that would involve the municipalities of East Hartford and Hartford, working in partnership with the Metropolitan District Commission and Riverfront Recapture. The U.S. Rowing Association brings its national convention to Hartford and sets an attendance record. An international panel of jurors selects Riverfront Recapture as the winner of the Waterfront Center?s Top Honor Award for Excellence on the Waterfront. 1998 Unique partnership agreements give Riverfront Recapture responsibility for managing Riverfront parks in Hartford and East Hartford. The Metropolitan District Commission agrees to maintain the Riverfront parks, at its expense, and funds a park rangers program, administered by Riverfront Recapture. The plan is hailed as a national model for urban parks. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awards Riverfront Recapture $1 million over four years to help the organization take on parks management responsibilities. The Greater Hartford Jaycees commits $500,000 to launch a boathouse fund-raising campaign. The world?s richest sports fishing competition, the Wal-Mart Forrest L. Wood Open, brings its $1 million tournament to the Riverfront. President Clinton designates the Connecticut River as one of the nation?s 14 American Heritage Rivers. 1999 Riverfront Plaza opens, reconnecting downtown Hartford with the Connecticut River. Grassy terraces descend to the Riverfront, creating amphitheater seating for 2,000 people. A dock at the base of the terraces brings excursion boat service into downtown for the first time in more than 60 years. A pedestrian promenade on Founders Bridge links Riverfront parks in Hartford and East Hartford. A ???walkabout?? around a Bulkeley Bridge abutment on the Hartford bank restores pedestrian access between downtown and the century-old Riverside Park, to the north. 2000 Construction begins on the Columbus Boulevard Bridge and ramp to Constitution Plaza that will greatly enhance pedestrian access between downtown Hartford and the Riverfront. A permanent canopy is erected over the stage at the base of the downtown terraces. Riverfront Recapture?s first capital projects campaign raises funding from corporations, foundations, and individuals for the canopy and boathouse. The American Society of Landscape Architects presents its top design award to Riverfront Recapture for Riverfront Plaza. 2001 Columbus Boulevard Bridge opens, creating direct, plaza-level pedestrian access between downtown Hartford and the Riverfront. Construction begins on Greater Hartford Jaycees Community Boathouse in Riverside Park. Connecticut General Assembly authorizes $3.9 million for additional Riverside Park improvements and riverwalks. 2002 Boathouse opens to great fanfare. Adult classes are fully booked and high school program triples in size. Second floor community room hosts more than 50 events between June and December. Construction begins on Riverwalk Downtown connection between Founders and Bulkeley Bridges on Hartford?s Riverfront. Capital campaign exceeds the $5.2 million goal for the boathouse and downtown performance space. 2003 Riverwalk Downtown opens to the public, creating a riverwalk connection between Founders and Bulkeley Bridges in Hartford. Air-conditioning is added to the boathouse community room, making it more marketable for weddings and other private events during the summer months. The number of private events at the boathouse doubles to 102. The Riverfront parks? value as a catalyst for economic investment becomes clear, with more than $1 billion worth of development projects in construction or in final design on sites within walking distance of the Riverfront. Projects include the Connecticut Convention Center, a Marriott hotel, and the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration, planned for a site immediately adjacent to Riverfront Plaza. 2004 The Riverfront Adventure Challenge Course in Riverside Park expands with construction of a climbing tower and additional elements. Permits are received for Riverwalk North, the paved, lighted connection from the north side of Bulkeley Bridge into Riverside Park. The project also includes extensive landscaping around the boathouse. A new dinner boat, The Lady Katharine, takes over downtown?s State Street Landing. 2005 Construction begins on Riverwalk North into Riverside Park and boathouse site improvements. An allocation of State funding makes it possible to step up planning and permitting for Riverwalk South, a proposed riverwalk connection from downtown to Charter Oak Landing. This project will also include a new entrance to the river from the Colt factory complex. A grant from the Lincoln Financial Group Foundation to the Greater Hartford Arts Council will create a sculpture walk along the Riverfront in Hartford and East Hartford. The permanent collection will have themes related to the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, including his famous meeting with Hartford-based author, Harriett Beecher Stowe. The Riverfront parks set attendance records, with more than 820,000 visitors enjoying a full calendar of activities along the river. 2006 Riverfront Recapture celebrates its 25th Anniversary with its most ambitious calendar of activity ever produced - including performances, festivals and sporting events. The legendary Four Tops kick off the season with a special concert that sets the stage for a popular season of celebration. Construction begins on an embayment project at Riverside Park that will create a fully-accessible boat launch site. Amateur anglers from across the nation come to the Riverfront to compete for $1 million in prizes in the Wal-Mart BFL All-American Championship. Highlights of the bass fishing tournament are televised on the Fox Sports Network to a national audience as well as to the Armed Services Network around the world. The Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk begins to take shape, with the installation of the first five pieces. Construction begins for the Connecticut Science Center on a site adjacent to Riverfront Plaza.