Simsbury Flower Bridge to Close In Early June

SIMSBURY, CT — The historic Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge will close for the season on Monday, June 3 due to a construction project in which a park will be built adjacent to the bridge, town officials announced Wednesday.

The town of Simsbury, in conjunction with the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge Committee, will be closing the Flower Bridge for the season, as the property abutting the west side of the Bridge will be undergoing an exciting transformation this summer with construction of a new park. The work will include demolition of existing structures at the site and the addition of a visitors' pavilion, walking paths, river access for launching canoes and kayaks, a water fountain and the planting of a number of gardens and trees, according to information posted Wednesday on the town's Culture, Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

For safety considerations, the Old Drake Flower Bridge and surrounding area must be closed to visitors throughout the construction phase of this project. Old Bridge Road (cul-du-sac) will be closed, and there will be no access to the Old Drake Hill Flower Bridge from Riverside Road (east side).

Popular annual events held at the Flower Bridge, such as the Tootin’ Hills Duck Race on May 24 and Burgers on the Bridge on May 29, will still be held this spring.

Officials expect the new park and the Flower Bridge to be ready in 2020, Simsbury’s 350th anniversary.

For more information on the project, click here.

Photo credits: Tim Jensen (bridge), Town of Simsbury (rendering)

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