The City of Hartford officially dedicated a brand spanking new playscape at Lozada Park in the City’s Clay Hill Section. If you’ve never heard of Lozada Park, no worries, you’re not alone. Located on Seyms Street, the park is smack dab in the middle of what some call the most dangerous neighborhood in the city, hence, not many things are in the area to make you wanna go there. I, on the other hand practically grew up in that neighborhood and was happy to go back for such a happy event. In fact, this thoroughly oppressed neighborhood was, at least for an hour, the center of the political universe in Hartford today with a grand total of six politicians (1 Mayor, 2 Councilpeople, 2 Rep’s, and 1 Senator) making their way to the park.
Besides the obvious downer of so may politicians going to an area that otherwise is ignored by City Hall and the Capital, the event had some pretty cool stories if you know the history. Lozada Park is located on a 2.4 acre lot which used to house the old Seyms Street Jail. This jail was actually a site to behold as it was designed by our own George Keller, designer of the Columbia Street row house, the Charter Oak Temple and the Civil War Memorial Arch at Bushnell Park. After the Jail was torn down, the space became an unofficial park in the City, like so many, waiting to be turned into a development opportunity until 1979 when a local tragedy changed all that..
On May 16, 1979, 12 year old Julio Lozada went to play with some friends behind Ernies Market on Albany Avenue. The roof caved in killing young Julio and with the loss of that life came the genesis of diversity within the ranks of the Hartford Fire Department. When firefighters first came on the scene, no firefighter knew Spanish and the responders left the scene, convinced that no one was in the rubble. Only upon receiving another call did they go back to find the body of young Julio Lozada. The resulting investigation on the conduct of the Department called for the hiring of new, bi-lingual Firefighters within the force. Since then, the HFD Latino Firefighters Society, led by Fire Marshall Edward Casares, has made Julio Lozada Park their pet project.
All that to say that there was some serious representation from our own Fire Dept, especially from the members of the Society of Latino Firefighters. Those with days off came with their wives and children. It was obvious that the spirit of Julio and his sacrifice was not lost on these men and women. But of course, all the feel goodyness could not last for long.
Along with the children of the firefighters who showed up, there were also about 40 toddlers who came from a daycare up at the corner of Mather and Main. The kids were all raring to go onto the apparatus, but had to wait cuz us important types had a ribbon cutting to do. Normally that’s not a big thing, just go…say a few words and cut the ribbon. But, no, something that easy proved to be wishful thinking. The blah, blah, blah lasted for sooooo long (and I am proud to say that I said absolutely nada) that the kids’ playtime was over and they had to head back. It got to the point where I had some of them chanting “Let us Play.” But no one was going to stop all the people who helped get the money together to get their recognition. Funny thing, outside of the firefighters and community members like Clorinda Sol de Villa (picture above), everyone else’s participation was basically what their job demanded of them. Politicians, Foundations, and Leadership groups…our job is to help oppressed neighborhoods like this…why make a big deal when you actually do it. Kinda like Chris Roc making fun of men who brag about “takin’ care of their kids.” Mickey Fickey…you supposed to take care of your kid! Why you want props for that? Anyways…it was a sad sight seeing those kids leaving without even getting a chance to jump on what is one of the coolest playscapes I’ve seen.
One of the umpteen speakers was the guy who owns the boundless playground company and it was kinda funny hearing him say how people would come from far and wide with their handicap kids to use this playground. Looking at some of the faces on the neighbors said it all: “Maaaaaan, ain’t nobody coming here if they don’t live here…period.”
All BS aside. This is a welcome addition in a neighborhood that really needs it. A good friend of mine just moved back to the area from Brooklyn with his wife and 2 year old. They moved to West Hartford and were lamenting the parks and playgrounds there. Our conversation revealed that it was not as much a “West Hartford” thing as it was a “suburban” thing. They hated how there were no kids at the playgrounds. No other 2-3 yr olds for little Destructikon to play with and develop good social skills with like they had in Brooklyn. The simple answer is that right one: When you have so much space and backyard and the means to buy a backyard playset, why bother going to the local playground?
This is where Hartford shines. Goto any of the beautiful new playscapes recently added and you will see what makes this city so kick ass…its diversity. Little brown kids playing with little black kids and little bosnian kids and little somali kids and on and on and on. Well…for those who get a kick out of these things (and I know you’re out there) the city has added one more and it’s a doozy. Hope to see you there.
Luis: Great idea for an article, and super pictures, but who’s going to Lozada Park after you tell them it is located in a “thoroughly oppressed neighborhood”…”smack dab in the middle of what some call the most dangerous neighborhood in the city”? I’m comfortably in Jean and Clorinda’s hood late at night every month or so – maybe you’ll join me sometime for a peaceful chat on Florence St.
GIS data shows that the area in and around the park is one of the poorest in the city, and, yes, I’ve heard people call it dangerous (mind you…that would fall under the ‘perception’ category.) That doesn’t mean that there aren’t people who have lived there forever who continue to create community on a day in day out basis, like Clorinda and Jean. My hood growing up was the Center/Seyms/Green/Winter/Florence area where I still have friends who live there, so…no biggie going there…unfortunately last couple times it’s been to remember friends who have died. The area has some beautiful architecture in the Italianate, Queen Anne, and Neo-Classical Revival styles…one such structure on Florence that made Mercy and I go … “hmmmm..”
As to who would go? I don’t know, I’m sure there are people out there who could weed through perception and reality to make up their own minds. The Park is definitely a destination unlike the new one currently under construction at DeLucco where people can see it from Albany Ave. Hopefully this will draw out people who might not have had a reason to go hang out at the benches on a cool summer evening. But if somebody chooses to come off the beaten path, they’ll have some cool people like Clorinda and Jean waiting to say “Hello!”
Nice photos!
When he gets old enough, Angelito should be a guest blogger for you and create a playground review guide.
Looks good. I have been wandering around that neighborhood a lot lately when walking the dog, but have not actually checked out Seyms Street since I was at Quirk, which must have been about 20 years ago. I will check it out this weekend!
I GREW UP ON SEYMS STREET… AND LET ME ASSURE YOU ALL THAT THIS AREA IS NOT THE MOST WORSE AREA OF HARTFORD CT!
IN FACT THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD HERE!
JUST BECAUSE IT IS LABELED “THE HOOD” DOESN’T MEAN YOU CANT STOP BY AND HAVE A GOOD TIME FOR AN HOUR OR TWO!..
SHOOT OUTS (GUN FIGHTS) CAN APPEAR AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AND IN ANY GIVEN ENVIRONMENT ANYWHERE IN HARTFORD! AND MOST LIKELY IT WILL NOT HAPPEN HERE! THERE’S REASONS FOR MY BELIEF BUT NO TIME RIGHT NOW TO GET INTO DETAIL!.. I HOPE YOU CAN GET AROUND THE FACT THAT THIS AREA IN HARTFORD IS BAD WHEN IT TRULY ISN’T!.. TO ME.. IT IS ONE OF THE NICEST PARTS OF HARTFORD!
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!…
BEN LATIN!