By mid-19th century, the desirability of city parks was gaining popularity, the chief proponent being Andrew Jackson Downing. He advocated privately-financed developments for select groups only.

Bushnell Park-www.bushnellpark.org

Rev. Horace Bushnell promulgated the idea of a public park, funded by public funds, for the non-discriminatory enjoyment of all. He overcame objections from business-men and politicos and gained acceptance for his proposal. Simultaneously, he achieved his motive of removing the eyesore of tanneries, soapworks, garbage dumps, tenements and outhouses lining both sides of the polluted Park River, which he himself called “hell without the fire".

The designer, Jacob Weidenmann’s signature style featured sculpted contours and paths, with informality opposed to the formal New England square or central green. The landscape was populated with many varieties of trees and shrubs from North America, Europe and eastern Asia. Contrast was provided over decades by impressive architectural specimens such as the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch (1886), the Capitol (1876), Corning Fountain (1899), the Carousel (1974) and the Performance Pavilion (1995).

Through all transformations, Bushnell Park remains a magnet in the heart of the city where people from all walks of life come to rejuvenate themselves, thus fulfilling Horace Bushnell’s dream.

Wickham Park – 1329 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester. http://www.wickhampark.org

Wickham Park covers 250 acres comprised of fields, woodlands, ponds, picnic areas, sports facilities, and other attractions that spans Manchester and East Hartford. Its public attractions include:

*The Aviary shelters display birds and natural birdlife. Species include turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, Canada geese and a Great Horned owl, all migratory birds protected from the wild due to injury. 
*The Nature Center is an educational facility designed to spread knowledge about local flora and fauna.
*Sports facilities include a championship 18-hole disc golf course, 5 tennis courts, 2 softball diamonds, 2 volleyball courts and 4 horseshoe pits, along with the required equipment. The park provides access to bike, hiking and fitness trails interspersed with rest stations.

*3 public playgrounds are located in various areas of the park
*Bird sanctuary is a combination of meadows, wetlands and transition forest accessible by trails that provide amazing bird-watching opportunities.
There are many indescribably spectacular cultivated gardens throughout the park. 
*English garden: 2 acres drawing upon formal English design principles, contain three distinct areas: the Maze, Knot Garden and Great Lawn. 
*Oriental garden: largest and oldest garden, with eight acres of oriental structures and statues, including the torri archway, fu-dogs, the moon bridge and Teahouse.
*Italian shrine: originally created by the Wickhams for their workers to worship, the shrine is a classic structure with statues of St. Theresa and St. Francis.
*Lotus garden: the center-point containing a fountain, oriental pagoda and unique structures at the north and south entrances, adorned by Japanese lanterns.
*Cabin garden: situated at the zenith, with its arbor and gazebo overlooking the panorama of Hartford, is a scenic and formal venue for important events.
*Wetlands garden: a newer, natural addition,contains boardwalk trails, benches, interpretive signage and native wetlands flora.
*Rhododendron garden: the most recent addition is slated to be a visual feast each spring with many species of rhododendrons and azaleas.
*Sensory garden: this unique garden, inaugurated in June 2008, has six areas, each reflecting the five basic senses as well as a “sixth sense” of imagination.

Elizabeth Park - Prospect & Asylum Avenues Hartford / West Hartford line). www.elizabethpark.org

Charles Pond, a wealthy industrialist and statesman of Connecticut, willed his estate to the City of Hartford mandating its conversion into a horticultural park named for his deceased wife, Elizabeth. Today the park encompasses 102 acres and boasts garden areas, pathways, greenhouses, lawns, a picnic grove, a pond and recreation areas.

*Rose garden: world famous, it is the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country.  Two and a half acres of 800 varieties of roses inhabit plant beds and ramble over arches and fences in a glory of extravagant color. The rose garden is among 22 public All America Test Gardens that evaluates new varieties before public release.  
*Heritage Rose Garden cultivates historical varieties. Unusual and interesting roses are found here.  During its peak bloom time of early to mid-June, it is the most fragrant area of the park.
*Annuals Garden exhibits color and fragrance throughout the season, starting in early spring, providing tides of color and multiple textures until the first frost. 
* Herb Garden is classically designed and grows the full range of herb plants.
* Perennial Garden: Frederick MacGourty’s layout combines cool and warm zones of color that ebb and flow throughout the garden with the seasons. The gazebo is the focal point .
*Rock Garden is a quiet haven with blooms that provide seasonal variety. Complementing it is a beautiful collection of ornamental grasses that present an interesting contrast.
*Heritage Garden is a work in progress by the Connecticut Valley Garden Club, in anticipation of the Centennial in 2017. Ten raised beds edged by stone walls form the outline of a five-petaled rosette, symbolizing a centofolia
- a 100-petaled rose. As well, 100 old roses will be planted there all echoing the centennial theme.

A special centennial rose has been created by hybridization and is on view in the garden.