2023 Report for Jocelyn Square Park

Neighborhood:

Fair Haven

Type of Site:

Park Friends

Address:

470 East Street, New Haven, CT, 06511

Year

2023

Number of volunteers

10

Total volunteer hours

47

Number of events

6

Number of trees planted

0

Number of shrubs planted

0

Number of perennials planted

62

Enter more details about perennials planted

hostas, seedum, coral bells, japanese cranebill geraniums

Yards compost spread

0.30

Yards mulch spread

0.30

Summary

What can you say about the Friends of Jocelyn Square! They are special, lovely people. This has been their first season as a Greenspace group— though they put in countless hours beautifying their neighborhood well before they joined the program. It’s not uncommon to see them bringing mulch to trees under the overpass, making dishes from wild dandelions, picking up litter in pouring summer storms… The folks of this group go above and beyond. The commitment to leaders Charlie Nixon and Kevin Darnell is something to behold. Other group members include their loved ones and friends, who have shown up consistently throughout the season. Together, we planted legions of perennials in a weedy raised bed at the plants entrance; devined, pruned, and planted under a completely choked-out dogwood; and picked up trash around the park. Many laughs and good conversations were had, and friendships forged. On the occasion, curious children from the park’s playground would wander over. We’d give them gloves and get to working with them, too! Jocelyn Park has long been a joyful place for neighbors, including Charlie in his childhood. While it is still in active use, the trash and abandonment of landscaping outside of mowing at the beginning of the season left much to be desired. This group moved quickly to establish light and joy in this space. I can’t wait to see what the Friends do next season— and undoubtedly, in the interim!