I understand that someone from the Parks department isn't very happy that we have been working the cleanup. One of our chairpersons received an irate phone call in response to her repeated inquiries about when the debris would be picked up It appears that this person at City Hall is upset at the amount of brush, etc. that was collected and accused our group of cutting too much. I can categorically state that 99% of the debris waiting in the park for 6+ weeks was deadwood laying on trails, overgrown poison ivy, sumac, and large trees that were felled during the various storms over the past several years. When a request was made several times for city assistance we were told there would be none. Now when we do it ourselves, we are vilified for it.
This a historic park tucked in a forgotten corner of the city. There has been NO response or interest from anyone in city government to assist. I for one would love for the parks department employee who complained (after Fernando from the Parks Department came up and took pictures) to do a little research into the history, perhaps take a ride themselves to the Park, maybe even attend one of our monthly meetings to actually see what we are trying to do here ON OUR OWN before you try and take the wind out of our sails.Maybe take a look at our website or Facebook page to see before and after pictures so that they have a frame of reference. Why is it so difficult to send a few trucks and a backhoe up to the park to remove the dead wood without a fight?
My family has been personally policing this park for the past 8 years to rid it of ATV's, dirt bikes, drug dealers, late night partiers, and gangs of paint ballers, spray painters, and the like. I have been threatened with my life, my property has been damaged, my house painted and shot at. For what, so we can have the city give us a hard time when we ask them to do nothing more than pick up some wood?
I have really had enough of this inaction by our parks department and our alderman as well as the Mayor's office. This is utterly ridiculous.

I applaud your efforts to take matters into your own hands but if the City is not going to take care of business, taxes need to go down to reflect the lowered services, no? And work on getting a new alderman if you are not pleased. It is our only recourse.
Thank you, fellow citizens!!!

Thank you guest that is exactly what I have been thinking myself. Right now the only personal recourse I have is to write it due to the fact that I recently had cancer surgery and cannot talk. I am trying to be a voice, without a voice so to speak.

3 representatives from the City showed up on May 31st. It was nice to have someone to discuss our issues with. Although the ever growing piles of brush remain, we do have an idea as to why.
We were also informed by Chrissy Haas that we would be getting picnic benches for the slabs near the playground,mulch for the playground and for the cleared ares of the Fort, support for the cleanups(although no one showed as promised today), and MUCH NEEDED signs stating that the Park closes at Sunset, that there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the Park and additional signage as necessary.
We anxiously await the promised support and will leave this issue open until we receive it. Thank you to MS Haas and the members of her staff who took time out of their workday to share our vision of the future and work together in the spirit of cooperation to fulfill that vision.

Monday June 3rd.
The City has started to remove the debris from our cleanup efforts, as of 10am the debris near the gate has been removed, it appears that the additional wooden debris at the trail head on the top of the woods was not included. We(Friends of FT Wooster and volunteers including Boy Scouts and various Masonic Lodges) are grateful for this show of support from the city. We have worked very hard to get to this point and are hopeful that this spirit of cooperation continues.
We are anxiously awaiting the MUCH NEEDED signs stating that the Park closes at Sunset, that there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the Park and additional signage as necessary, picnic benches for the slabs near the playground,mulch for the playground and for the cleared ares of the Fort as promised by Chrissy Haas. We thank Chrissy and her staff for their efforts thus far.

The Parks Department Cleanup

Today the gate at the park was painted red and the fire hydrant in front of our house was painted. That is excellent. Thank you'
I take it the painting of the gate is the first step to getting the signage that we require for the park stating that the Park closes at Sunset, that there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the Park. Thank you again for the attention being given to our neighborhood.

I wish to again thank the Park/Public Works Department for their continued work on the Park. On behalf of Friends of FT Wooster and the entire neighborhood; I assure you your attention has not gone unnoticed. Thanks again.
The majority of the wood near the playground is now gone. It appears that only some plant matter and scrub brush remain.
I would assume that we are getting closer to having mulch for the playground and hill dumped, the benches put in on the slabs, and the ALL IMPORTANT signage that we require for the park stating that the Park closes at Sunset, that there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the Park(would it be possible to have another barrel for trash that we can located near the trail head and a few No littering signs?). This will go a long way toward assuring that all of the hard work that has been done will not be done in vain. If we in the neighbor have something to point to in order to assist us with the miscreants that will help more than you realize. Thank you so much for your continued effort. The people of Beacon Avenue appreciate it.

All of the wood near the Playground is now gone. Thank you.

Are we any closer to getting the ALL IMPORTANT signage that we require for the park stating that the Park closes at Sunset, that there are no motorized vehicles allowed in the Park and a few No littering signs?). This will go a long way toward assuring that all of the hard work that has been done will not be done in vain. If we in the neighborhood have something to point to in order to assist us with the miscreants that will help more than you realize.
We could use more playground mulch. We spread the mulch around the playground area that was left and it didn't do much.

We will have our signage after July 1st!

I wish to thank the City especially Christy Haas for her attention to our park. We now have 3 picnic tables. A long awaited bonus. I cannot wait for our signage as we have had a number of incidents in the past week where we had motorcycles in the park and with no sign to point to they just give me the finger, tell me to F*** off, and disappear into the woods. I know it is being worked on, it just cannot come soon enough.
I hate to be a pain, but if there are any extra trash baskets hanging around we could use them too. Near the picnic bench under the tree would be a great place.

The Boy Scouts are in the process of installing benches near the sign in the park. We move along...

There has been a lot of activity in preparation for the new fencing and signage. Thank you Christy. We are moving in the right direction. In addition, I wish to than Sgt Joe Anastasio of NHPD for the prompt response we have received time and time again as of late when called to the park. Everyone is doing their part and we are getting a beautiful and useful park as well as a safer neighborhood. A treasured piece of New Haven history.

I've heard about the efforts up at Ft Wooster and look forward to stopping by and seeing the progress. Thanks to the great work from the neighborhood and friends!

This issue was recategorized from Other to Parks Request.

Many thanks to Christy Haas and the Parks staff. Our sign was put in yesterday as well as a lock on the gate. These and the other planned improvements will go a long way towards the continuing efforts to clean up this wonderful piece of Connecticut History.

New sign at Ft Wooster Park

Due to the progress of the clean up of Fort Hale this issue will now close. If there are any other concerns regarding this park please open a new ticket. Thank you all for your cooperation in the effect to clean up Fort Hale Park.