Friends of West Hartford Parks, Inc.

01/06/2026

Hope you are all enjoying the winter magic in our town parks! Thought we'd share some park histories here.

Let's start with Beachland Park.

This park opened in 1932, after the Beach family donated part of their farm to the Town for a public park. The Beach family has a long and influential history in West Hartford. The patriarch Charles M. Beach built Vine Hill Farm, one of the biggest dairy farms in Connecticut. His son Charles Edward Beach went on to create the certified milk business in Connecticut and produced "baby's milk" or "Clinical Milk," which was made under specific hygienic conditions.

In 1859, Charles M. Beach of Hartford purchased an old homestead on Vine Hill Road and New Britain Avenue. The property holding was extended to Quaker Lane South by his son and was developed as Vine Hill Farm, which was one of the most prominent dairying businesses in the Hartford area. It included a grist mill, powered by Trout Brook, and the Elmwood Creamery, which is now the Beachland Park Clubhouse. Frank H. Stadtmueller, the long-time farm manager, became Connecticut’s Dairy and Food Commissioner, and helped establish fine food standards for the nation.

The first outdoor public pool was built in 1936, and a second pool was built in 1956. A deep end was added to one of the pools in the 1960’s. A wading pool was installed in 1972, and was removed in the early 2000’s. In 2015, the aquatics area was rebuilt, and now consists of one zero-depth entry pool, a bathhouse with ADA compliant family changing rooms, and a spray pad.

The Beachland House still exists at the park’s entrance on Quaker Lane South and supports Leisure Services summer staff. Future plans include renovating the historic building as a community cultural center. The park also features a pond, soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, a picnic grove and a dog park. The Beachland Park is adjacent to the 100 Mayflower Street property, the home of West Hartford’s new community center.

We remember Town Historian Tracey Wilson, who provided this information to us. Thank you.

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09/06/2025

Hi neighbors! Fishing at Spicebush Swamp is not allowed until further notice. The town is investigating a possible E. coli contamination from an illegal dump upstream. There’s no danger to the public, just no fishing for now.

09/05/2025

The Friends of West Hartford Parks is excited to host its second movie night!

Pack up your chairs, blankets and snacks, round up your families and friends and join us for a fun family night!

Movie: Madagascar
Date: September 12, 2025
Time: About 7:30 pm -9 pm
Location: Kennedy Park, Oakwood Avenue, West Hartford, CT

Enjoy pre-movie fun at the Kennedy Playground! We plan to start the movie as soon as dusk allows to help with managing family bedtimes.

08/20/2025

Join us for outdoor movie night! We are showing "Madagascar" at Kennedy Park on Friday, September 12. We will start the movie at about 7:30 to coincide with sunset. Bring your chairs and blankets!

07/22/2025

We are looking forward to our first summer movie this evening!! Se you there!

We don't mind a little heat for our Friday night movie! It's a perfect midsummer setting to watch Finding Nemo! Start time is targeted for 8 pm. Bring blankets to sit on and plenty of water! As a reminder, the movie will take place at Eisenhower Park July 25.

See you theree

07/03/2025

We asked, and you voted! The top choice of Finding Nemo won!

Join us as we to host West Hartford's first outdoor movie this summer! Bring your blankets and chairs and join us for Finding Nemo on July 25 at Eisenhower Park. Based on sunset, we will start the movie at 8 pm.

06/14/2025

School's out! It's time for summer movies! We're so excited to share that Friends of West Hartford Parks is planning TWO outdoor movies in the park this year!! With so many choices, we can't decide so we want YOU to help! Tell us your favorite, and we'll pick to top two!

Here are the choices:

Madagascar
Tangled
Finding Nemo

We will announce our dates soon, but in the meantime please vote!

05/08/2025

We think an early morning walk along the Trout Brook Trail is a perfect way to start this beautiful spring day!

04/30/2025

We picked up bags of trash at Kennedy Park on Sunday! Thanks to the FOWHP Board of Directors, especially our newest Directors Blaine Lapin and Rachel Martin (and to our little helpers).

Stay tuned, folks! We will be announcing TWO free outdoor movie nights this summer!!

We-Ha.com Neighbors and friends in West Hartford

04/03/2025

*** RAIN DATE IS SUNDAY!! ***

Join us SUNDAY at 9 AM FOR OUR SPRING CLEAN UP AT KENNEDY PARK!!

Meet your neighbors and volunteer to help our community! The spring clean up this year is set for Kennedy Park on April 26 at 9 am. Bring your family and friends! We-Ha.com

03/25/2025

We are busy planning this year's events, including a clean up and movies! In the meantime, we are hosting an information session Tuesday (tomorrow) at 6:30 pm. Please message us if you are interested in joining our board!

02/16/2025

As we are enjoying our parks' winter season, the Friends of West Hartford Parks is planning ahead! On April 26, we are planning a spring cleanup at Kennedy Park. On October 18, mark your calendar for our Third Annual Walk in the Park! Plus, we will present a movie in the park (or two) with dates tbd. More to come!