Rocky Hill Man Wants Funding For Dividend Park

A local activist continues his efforts to cleanup and get funding to help beautify the . 

Edward Chiucarello asked the council for the money specifically toward Dividend Park in the  at its . The funding needed would be $3,000 to $5,000 to build two bridges and kiosks as well as add signage to the state archaeological preserve, he added.

"I think it could be beneficial for our town," Chiucarello said. He added the town and council should "embrace" Dividend Park and the other trails in Rocky Hill because it could help bring in economic development.

State Rep. Antonio Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill) is looking at getting money for the town to use at Dividend Park. Several council members,  and townspeople have also pledged to help Chiucarello.

Volunteers along with Chiucarello removed tires, metal and brush from the lower Dividend Pond and cleared debris from the path on the south side of the preserve Saturday morning. The previous week, residents removed brush away from the main trail and the trail near Pleasant Valley Road. They also filled in several holes, unclogged the sluice, created destination points on the walkways and located a missing blue archaeological sign, which has been since put on the path.

"We spent over 200 hours cleaning [Dividend Park] and turning that open space into what is going to be a beautiful park," Chiucarello said at the Town Council meeting. In total, volunteers have spent eight Saturdays and about 250 hours cleaning up the Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District. 

To celebrate Connecticut Trails Day, Chiucarello plans to hold a grand opening ceremony for Dividend Park on the morning of June 2. The public would be invited to the event and he is expected to lead a hike through the trail loop later that morning.

Volunteers will be cleaning up the Dividend Pond Trails and Archaeological District again in May. Anyone interested in helping with the Dividend Park cleanup is asked to contact Chiucarello, by emailing him at lexarded@cox.net.

Over the next few weeks, Chiucarello will keep himself busy as he will lead a hike at Dividend Ponds on April 22 and hold a lecture on hiking in Rocky Hill with Park and Recreation Director Lisa Zerio on May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the . For the hike, anyone interested is asked to meet on Old Forge Road at 1:30 p.m.

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