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THANKS for your support on the referendum this past November, 2021! Plans for the children's play area, meditation circle garden, gazebo and pavilion have been approved. The pavilion will be placed in the northern portion of the park, by the current parking area and the area around the fireplace (to be preserved) is being designed as well. Watch for further updates! SEE the plans for the continuation of park renovations here (Note: plans were recently updated as above) * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE FINAL PRODUCT:
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4...Thanks to ALL of our great artists for the creation of this gorgeous artwork!! Details of where it will be displayed, until the pavilion is built, will follow soon! --------------------------------------- Bloomfield Unveils a Sign of Historic Proportion! The new, historic sign at Filley Park embraces Bloomfield’s century-old passion for bringing people and nature together. As the reinvigoration of the Park continues, this is the first sign that covers the evolution of the Park through the present, while recognizing its recreational, social and cultural impact. Throughout the years, the Park has faced many natural disasters, but it persisted—a testimony to the community’s commitment to this treasured landmark. Town Engineer Jonathan Thiesse and Filley Park Committee Co-Chairs Roseanne Azarian and June O’Connor worked together to write the story, with graphic design by RavenMark. The sign was built by TimberHomes Vermont. The Wintonbury Historical Society provided archival support and vintage photos. Installation was done by Bloomfield’s Public Works Department.
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LATEST UPDATES - July, 2022: Summer has arrived! We expect to go to bid for the next phase of reconstruction mid-summer, with work to hopefully begin by autumn, continuing as long as weather permits. This phase will include the gazebo, pavilion, new signage, the meditation circle, children's play area, picnic tables, trail work and more. Stay tuned for further updates! Thanks again for your awesome support! - The Filley Park Committee
A hugely successful First Annual Filley Park Fishing Derby was held on a perfect June 11, 2022, with almost 125 participants! Many fish were caught (and returned!). This is just the beginning of many events to come as the improvements continue. Come by and check it out often!!
It's OFFICIAL! Mother Nature has provided the necessary weather to freeze the pond as in the "old" days!
February 1, 2022: Skating is BACK!!!
YES, there are fish in Filley Pond (Small Mouth Bass)!! (J. O'Connor photo)
Above & next two below: August 2, 2021 - More and more folks are discovering the new beauty of the park...
The streetscape, as seen from the island, looking east
Clouds reflect in the northern end of the pond, near where the gazebo will be installed
Above and below: The commemorative boulder has been moved to the west side of the main bridge...
Above & below: Sunlight peers through the trees and makes the ferns glow along Over the Hill Trail...
Above: A paver honoring the Filley Park Ambassadors lines the streetscape, along with many others.
Above: July rains raise the pond just above flood level (taken July 9) as the weir system works on the overflow! ********************************** The last day of Celebrate Bloomfield began bright and early at Filley Park with #OctagonCyclingClub, followed by a day for all to explore the park’s new gardens, find joy in its beauty and feel at home—in nature’s home. Stop by and stay awhile. #FilleyForAll. To show your support, please order your paver today (see link below)!
GREAT NEWS! Once again, Pavers & Bluestones can now be ordered for the next round of installation! Download a paver order form here. Click here for a relative paver size guide!*
*Additional sponsorship opportunities are available as well! Please click here for details! FILLEY PARK SPROUTS NEW SIGNS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT!
In the midst of a major renovation, a
re-imagined Filley Park is taking shape
while hand-painted signs from the Filley
Park Committee invite residents to
visit, explore and connect to the Park’s
rich history. As new gardens bloom,
walkers head for the woodlands and
picnickers find their favorite spot,
Filley Park is a work-in-progress. With
the possibility of a referendum in
November, the remaining improvements--a
natural playground, an accessible
walkway, north and south parking lots
and a gazebo--can all be funded this
year. What can the community do? Stay
informed. Let your voice be heard.
Contact Town officials or attend a
virtual Town Council Meeting in support
of “finishing Filley.” Purchase a paver
through the Filley Park Committee at
Celebrate Bloomfield. To learn more,
visit our Facebook page or contact
Committee Co-Chairs, Roseanne Azarian or
June O’Connor on Facebook.
Pavers – The first batch of dedicated pavers are in place. They form the deck of the northern bridge connecting the island (see photo below). See above to order a paver or bluestone for the 2nd round of installation! Island Construction – Island landscaping is virtually complete, with a number of new plants and trees in place. Work is done on the walkways and the irrigation system is up and running. Signage / commemorative plaques will be installed soon. Stop by and see the progress! Wooden Bridge - The wooden (north) bridge near the parking lot has been completely repainted, with materials supplied by the Town of Bloomfield Public Works Department and labor by the Filley Park Committee. Thanks for the great job! Gazebo - The gazebo should be in place sometime in August, at the northern end of the island! Various commemorative plaques are in the works and due to be installed in the next few weeks! Fountains - They WILL return!! A new manufacturer is working on the replacement lighted fountains...stay tuned for updates!
R. Azarian photo
Below is a photographic history of the park and pond renovations, from the beginning to the current status. We hope you enjoy it!
The next 9 images below were taken on May 25, 2021, as finishing touches continue on the island landscaping:
Above and next 5 images below: Spring has arrived at Filley for sure! Photos taken May 6, 2021 as final touches continue on the island landscaping...
Above: April, 2021...A native Trout Lily blooms at the park! Plantings are in full swing on the island...Stop by and have a look at the ongoing work! (Photo by June O'Connor)
Spring has sprung...late March, 2021 along a trail at Filley Park!
Above and below: Winter 2021 is here...a fresh coating of snow covers the pond on February 10 and the ice has frozen at least once this season. If the cold continues, skating may well continue!
Looking toward the island, the pavers form the walkway across the northern island bridge!
Mesh lines a portion of the walkway being constructed around the island, with topsoil from "Dirt Mountain" spread about. The Gazebo will be placed to the left (out of frame) at the northern edge of the island.
Above and next below: "Dirt Mountain" is vanishing as Creative Landscaping works on the island on a perfect day, October 15! Today, mesh for the walkways was being delivered as well...
Above two images: Island reconstruction began the 2nd week of October, 2020...Pavers should be installed by years' end. "Dirt Mountain" is being utilized as topsoil and will soon be gone!
January, 2020: a thin coating of ice is finally forming! When prolonged cold weather returns, skating should become possible once again, probably next winter 2020-2021.
The weir is performing well, keeping the pond at a pre-determined level...
...as water tumbles past the fish ladder on Wash Brook.
Clouds reflect in the water on a blustery January 8th, as the brook quietly passes to the west of the island.
Above and below: Along the Over the Hill Trail, which travels up the incline to Mountain View Cemetery and on to Brewer Drive to the west...
Also along the trail this day, a special visitor posed for the camera, atop a double stone fireplace (below).
There's a lot more to Filley Park than just the pond! This is a look west along the Over the Hill Trail as it climbs toward Mountain View Cemetery...
Autumn 2019 is here...
Mid-October and roses are still in bloom at the park!
September 25: Pavers have been delivered to town. Engraving should begin soon, followed by installation! Stay tuned for additional details as they become available!
The Filley Park Committee, along with Jonathan Thiesse, Town Engineer, presented a check for $75,000 to the Town of Bloomfield at the Town Council meeting Monday, August 12. Accepting the check is Mayor Suzette Debeatham-Brown; Roseanne Azarian, a volunteer, represented the Committee, of which Al Reichin is the chair. The money raised reflects the Committee’s ongoing effort to support the rebirth of Filley Park via a paver program that has sparked a renewed interest among residents, businesses and community organizations. While the deadline for purchasing pavers is August 15, the Committee will continue to take donations for future installations. (Photo supplied by Roseanne Azarian).
August 7, 2019: Lovely red flowers adorn the waterfront in anticipation of final landscaping and the addition of the memorial pavers (expected to be laid in October)...Fundraising continues for Phase 3!
Above and below: The color-changing fountains - a thing of beauty at night... Be sure to check them out!!
Above and below: Both fountains are up and running and looking good!
Wash brook flows along the rock fish ladder bordering the western edge of the park...
April 9, 2019: As final landscaping continues and plans are being made to install the engraved pavers soon, two lighted fountain fixtures have been put in place (below)!
February 26, 2019: A cold and very windy day at Filley Park. The pond is now full, as Wash Brook enters once again under the northern bridge. The spillway/culvert/weir is complete at the southern end (where the old dam once was - see image below).
Ice, not seen in many, many years, covers most of the pond. It appears likely that we may once again be skating here, come the winter of 2019-2020! (image taken 2/26/19).
The spillway/weir also nears completion at the southern end of the pond (taken mid-January, 2019)...
The Filley Park Ambassadors on Dec. 2, 2018 at the Annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting at Town Hall!
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Above and below: The Culvert/Spillway/Weir combination takes shape at the pond's southern end, as of November 29, 2018. The weir will help maintain the water level in the pond and other hydraulic additions will serve to keep the water fresh and clean, especially at times of low water flow. Plans also call for the addition of two fountains and the ability to add aerators in the future if need be...
November 29, 2018: Pond walls have been installed as work continues. Wash Brook now flows freely past the pond along the western portion of the park...
October 11, 2018 - Looking north (above and immediately below), the new increased depth of the pond is evident...
A view to the south, where the dam used to exist (by the orange power shovel). Work on compacting the bottom continues...
Above and below: Serious dredging continues as of September 13, 2018...
Pond dredging begins as of August 15, 2018...
Above and immediately below: These two images show that dredging of Filley Pond is beginning... (photos taken July 31st, 2018). The remains of the old dam can be seen just under the power shovel arm...
Boulders for the rock fish ladder are being placed in the west channel, currently dry while under construction. (Photographed July 12th, 2018)
Above and immediately below: Work continues, primarily on the new stream channel west of the island. Once the rock fish ladder and other channel work is complete, dredging of the pond will commence. This portion of the project (Phase two) is on schedule for completion this fall, 2018.
Spring has arrived and the flowers are up (as of May 11)... and dredging of the pond will begin soon!!!
Like the sign says - Leave your mark and order an engraved paver! Click here for details...
Above and immediately below: As of April 24, work continues on dredging the channel, as the flow is reduced through the pond and out over the current dam...
Above and below: April 11, 2018 - Draining of the pond has begun, prior to dredging (looking south)...
...as you can see, it was not very deep, as evidenced by the huge accumulation of silt at the left!
A couple of Geese look lost as they watch the pond dwindle...
...while a Mallard swims against the current in what is left as the pond drains to the south.
On March 19, 2018, a power shovel places sandbags in the Wash Brook channel so that water flows only through the pond via pipes under the rock barrier...
...while workers from LaRosa Construction prepare to dredge the brook channel and add a rock fish ladder.
Progress! Heavy equipment, as of March 12, 2018, is now in place to begin the dredging portion of the pond.
Above and below: Spring 2017 sees continuing landscaping maintenance as Spring flowers bloom along the new entranceway to the park and pond...
The park in autumn - a lovely place to enjoy nature!
A pair of resident geese paddle along in early morning fog...
The State of Connecticut inspects an invasive European Water Chestnut infestation that was subsequently removed the following Spring, 2015...A new infestation in 2016 was sprayed and should be removed permanently with Phase Two dredging...
Groundbreaking for Phase one...
Work began on Phase one in 2015...
The new "Streetscape" taking shape along Tunxis Avenue... May, 2016 - Spring finally comes to the park...
...as Phase One landscaping continued on and near the new entryway.
Above and below: As of June, 2016, landscaping of the entryway was about complete...Bases for the new street lighting have been installed and new sidewalk along the park frontage is finished...
July 2016 - Unfortunately, the invasive European Water Chestnut is back, but a re-spray has been done. Results are still in question. Dredging should permanently eliminate the issue!
Click here to contribute to the future of Filley Park!!!
Three images below: Taken early on a steamy August morning, the beauty of the park is obvious!
Images by Dennis A. Hubbs
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