Rendering of new DeLauro monument; it won’t actually end up on dog path. And it will not be orange.
The sculpture’s staying. But let’s talk further about other stuff.
Mayor John DeStefano sent that message to some irate people in Wooster Square Sunday night.
The neighbors have been irate over the administration’s plans to install a new sculpture in Wooster Square Park in tribute to former Alderwoman Luisa DeLauro, her late husband Ted, and her daughter, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. Read about that here.
The sculpture is called “Family Table.” Designed by local architect Barry Svigals, It consists a granite table with benches about to be erected at the north end of the square near Greene Street. Private donations of $30,000 paid for it.
More than 100 neighbors signed a petition protesting the decision to install the sculpture. They said the mayor failed to consult the neighborhood. And they said the sculpture doesn’t fit with the park.
In his email to 94 sculpture opponents Sunday night, DeStefano said he consulted people in Wooster Square about the sculpture, which he called appropriate for the park. He noted that the sculpture received the necessary legal approvals. Its scheduled installation is Oct. 26.
He also acknowledged that people want to be consulted more in Wooster Square. He urged the neighbors to form a “Friends of the Park” group and stay in touch with him.
The text of the email message follows:
Dear resident:
I am in receipt of the petitions regarding the DeLauro Family Table Project and I understand the feeling of ownership that all New Haven residents have for our city’s entire park system. I also understand that not everyone in the Wooster Square neighborhood, or the City, knew about this addition to the Wooster Park. To those that feel as if they were purposely not engaged I am sorry as this was not the intent. However the reality is that it is impractical and nearly impossible to inform every resident of everything which occurs in the city.
I would like to remind everyone that this project followed the same established process of approval which applies to virtually all modifications for all City parks. Namely that the project went before both the Parks Commission and the Historic Commission. Additionally, the City discussed this project with nearly two dozen neighborhood groups and leaders. Further had a park conservancy group existed, such as exists for East Rock Park, Edgewood Park, Chatham Square Park and others, we would have sought out that group. Unfortunately, as you know, no such group exists specifically for Wooster Square Park.
No one can question the contributions that the DeLauro family has made in shaping the Wooster Square neighborhood into what it is today. Wooster Square would have been destroyed during Urban Renewal but for Ted DeLauro’s effort. Accordingly I remain convinced that this is an appropriate acknowledgment of three individuals who dedicated their lives to preserving and improving the neighborhood.
That said, it is clear the neighborhood feels a strong sense of ownership over the park and that we need to do a better job of listening and acting together. I recognize the Wooster community wants certain park issues addressed including, but not limited to, concerns related to regular park maintenance, infrastructure improvements, dogs in the park and questions of usage of the park as a neighborhood park verses a citywide destination.
Accordingly, I am asking neighborhood leaders and any interested Wooster residents to organize a park conservancy group similar to the City’s other Friends of the Park groups. I urge you to organize this group promptly and establish an agenda. And I urge you to do this before the City budget planning process is completed in early winter.
Again, I appreciate the sense of ownership our residents have for our parks system. An established public process was followed. The DeLauro Family Table is consistent with the parks setting and a fitting tribute to a family that has given so much to the neighborhood.
I look forward identifying areas of agreement, continuing this dialogue and working together to improve the community in which we all live.
Very truly yours,
John DeStefano, Jr.
Mayor
It doesn't look like any family table I've ever seen and the "chairs" seem to be too far away from the "table" for it to be useful (you know people are going to use it, right).