P&Z Endorses Greenwich's Bruce Park As A Local Historic Property

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission this week unanimously endorsed the designation of Bruce Park as a local historic property.

The matter will now move to the Representative Town Meeting for a final vote.

By designating the park as a local historic property, any future change to a "contributing structure or factor" on the 48-acre property must receive a certificate of appropriateness from the town's Historic District Commission (HDC).

A study report compiled by the commission as part of the designation process lists each contributing structure and factor.

This ensures that the park will maintain its historic character and that any proposed changes will be thoroughly vetted before they're approved and implemented.

On Friday, First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a news release he will work to get the matter on the RTM's call for October with the hope of having final approval granted by the end of the year.

"Bruce Park is one of the jewels of Greenwich. This began as a resident effort and it is one I am proud to have supported. Working with the Friends of Bruce Park, I have been pushing for approvals of a Historic District status and it has been great to see all the support for this plan from town government and the community. Hopefully, this is something we get done for future generations so they can enjoy Bruce Park as it is meant to be enjoyed," Camillo said.

Camillo went on to say that the beauty of Bruce Park is something all residents should want to protect.

"Residents have treasured the park for both passive and active recreation for decades and with its beautiful roadways, ponds, trees, pathways, sculptures and gazebos, it’s clear to see why this is important to residents," Camillo added. "I’m proud of the work the Friends of Bruce Park has done on this project and I am eager to continue working with them as we bring this before the RTM."

HDC Chair Stephen Bishop noted to the P&Z Commission on Sept. 6 that administrations change, and so do the "infrastructure guardians" of the town, and in the future, without the designation, "they might decide they want to do things that really could hurt the park tremendously."

"While we try very hard to accommodate changes that seem reasonable, or necessary or advisable, there are always limits, and that's really the important thing," Bishop said.

Bishop explained that simple maintenance issues or instances where construction calls for the changing of "like kind for like kind," such as repaving a road, do not have to appear before the commission for a certificate of appropriateness.

Greenwich Parks & Recreation Board Chair Scott Johnson said that he'd like to see a coordination process between town bodies like Parks & Rec. and the Department of Public Works on maintenance or repair items.

The local historic designation process was lengthy.

It kicked off in January 2022 when the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint the HDC to examine and study the components and merits of the park for the designation.

The idea for the designation came about after the town briefly thought about expanding the old "mosquito barn" on the eastern side of Bruce Park to facilitate the possible move of the Parks and Recreation building out of Roger Sherman Baldwin Park.

Residents were concerned about the idea and future plans that could change the park, so they reached out to Camillo.

Camillo assured the residents that Parks & Rec. operations would not be moved there. Since the town had always tried to protect Bruce Park, Camillo suggested seeking a local historic property designation.

Bruce Park is the oldest public park in Greenwich, having been built in 1908 through a bequest of Robert Moffat Bruce, a cotton magnate and philanthropist.

From 1908 to 1958, the park was established and its major physical features were constructed, which included ponds, roadways and recreational facilities. In those years, Greenwich added granite curbstones and various plantings to enhance the visual appeal of the park.

In the past, the park has been nominated for "Best City Park" in the country by USA Today and their 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Greenwich is seeking a similar historic property designation for Putnam Cottage, one of the town's oldest and most historic homes.

The Board of Selectmen in August appointed the HDC to examine and study the components and merits of the site for the designation.