FRIENDS OF THE RIVER – FALL 2015 riverfront.org #ctriverfront

Riverfront Recapture is pleased to be the featured non-profit during the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Celebration of Giving, as the foundation recognizes its 90th anniversary. Since 1982, they have provided support from 31 donor-advised funds, two designated funds, and 20 grants. Contributions have been designated to support:

• the community rowing program including the Boat-house and purchase of rowing shells for adult, youth, and adaptive use

• implementation of the Adventure program• general operating support• strategic technology, providing computers

and software upgrades• the Olmsted Summer Pops series• executive transition• gardens and park overlooks• youth enrichment, including the Adventure program• transitional operating support• strategy and plans to increase earned and

contributed income• capital improvements• marketing, including logo and website design• start-up costs in 1982

With 143 grants totaling $4,382,229.26, it is easy to say that the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has been instrumental in our efforts to 1) create accessible Riverfront parks and public recreational facilities to enhance the region’s quality of life; 2) make the Riverfront an attractive destination for visitors and residents; and 3) use the revitalized Riverfront as a catalyst for economic investment.

As our supporters know, we meet those goals with innovative and nationally recognized park planning, management, and programming. In addition to beautiful, safe and well-maintained parks, we offer recreational and athletic activities, festivals and artistic performances, and programs that serve the MetroHartford community, as well as drawing visitors from around the state and the East Coast.

Riverfront Recapture Recognized During Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s 90th Anniversary Celebration of Giving

Riverfrontrecap

inside recapPage 2 President’s Perspective & Riverfront Reflections

Page 3 Recapture Generosity

Page 4 Volunteering, Events & USRowing Results

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President’s PerspectiveWith our summer events schedule now complete and the fall season of Riverfront Rowing wrapped up, Riverfront Recapture now turns its attention to planning for 2016. Next year promises to be another exciting year for Riverfront with interesting programming and special events that annually draw close to one million people to our parks system.

Organizationally, we will undertake a strategic planning process that will set the course for the future of Riverfront Recapture. As the new president and CEO, I am excited about the opportunity to help craft a vision for the organization for the next five years and beyond. We will reach out to friends, stakeholders, partners, donors, Board members, and staff for input into the next chapter in Riverfront’s history. I welcome your input in the process and hope that you take the time to provide your perspective as we create a plan for the future.

In 2016, we will also be working to welcome new visitors to our parks. Thousands of additional employees will start to fill Connecticut River Plaza within walking distance of our Riverfront parks. These employees, combined with the hundreds of tenants that moved into the new residential units that have come on line within the last year, promise to fill our parks with activity. We are looking at ways to engage all of these new visitors and show them everything our parks have to offer.

I look forward to seeing you in the parks.

Michael Zaleski, President & CEORiverfront Recapture

Riverfront ReflectionsWith fall upon us, people realize anew what an impact the Riverfront has had on them – and the broader community. Daily park users and visitors from afar enjoy the Riverwalks, the scenic overlooks, and our sculptures. With 40 free public events from May into October this year, celebrating the region’s diversity or featuring local talent, crowds large and small gather to absorb the sounds and sights – and the sense of community.

Big Mo’ brought downtown living to the Front + Center, as it introduced the Front Street Lofts, a brand-new 121-apartment building, within easy walking distance of Riverfront parks. All told, over the past 24 months, more than $1.1 billion has been invested in recently completed, in the works, or approved development projects close to the riverfront. We know our parks are one of the benefits for new apartment dwellers, employees, and students while we continue to draw suburban residents into Hartford during the week and on the weekends.

You – our donors – have helped to make the Riverfront one of the top spots to visit in Connecticut.

If you have questions regarding any of the content of this newsletter, please contact Rico Reyes at 860.713.3131 x328 or rreyes@riverfront.org.

With such expansive parks, people can feel they have their own space, or mingle and mix with fellow park or event visitors. Families gather for reunions, fishermen disburse among the riverbanks in all four parks, recreational sports take place on Riverside Park’s fields, boaters access the launches in three parks, Adventure participants learn through hands-on problem-solving on low and high ropes elements, and our community rowers are visible on the river as well as on land as they maneuver the rowing shells from the Boathouse to the docks.

Thank you for your role in ensuring the parks, activities, and programs are available for you – and others – to enjoy.

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Events:Over $100,000Travelers

$25,000 to $49,000Greater Hartford Arts CouncilMohegan SunThe Phoenix Companies

$10,000 to $24,999AetnaThe HartfordHartford Steam Boiler/Munich RE

$5,000 to $9,999CT Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentHighland Park MarketNewAlliance FoundationPratt & WhitneyEvelyn W. Preston Memorial Trust Fund, Bank of America, TrusteePrice ChopperUTC Aerospace Systems

$2,500 to $4,999Northern Tree Service

$1,000 to $2,499BriCin’s Festival FoodsMassMutual Financial Group

$250 to $499BeneschChase Glass CompanyCT Lighting CentersCT Neurosurgery & Spine AssociatesLaw Offices of Cowdery & MurphyFA Hesketh & AssociatesPrudentialRoofs by WelchRusso Brothers

Youth Programs:$25,000 to $49,000United Technologies

$5,00 to $9,999Ensworth Charitable FoundationStanley D. and Hinda N. Fisher FundThe Fund for Greater Hartford

$2,500 to $4,999Ahearn Family FoundationThe Lily Palmer Fry Memorial Trust, Bank of America, NA, TrusteeThe Hartford The Charles Nelson Robinson Fund, Bank of America, NA, TrusteeSBM Charitable Foundation

$1,000 to $2,499Berkshire BankCT BASS NationESPNKnox Foundation

$500 to $999Simon Hollander Fund

$250 to $499Aaron Hollander Fund

In Honor/Memory Gifts:In Honor of Kim Shea Robert Fowler

In Honor of Julia Vide Joan W. McGauleyMyles V. Whalen, Jr.

In Honor of Mike PucklyKatherine M. Laufer Phoenix Companies Inc.

In Memory of Helen RothMs. Carolyn S. Arvidson

Recapture GenerosityYour support helped improve our festivals and events and involve more youth in 2015! Many thanks to the following corporations, foundations, and donors.

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Many Ways to ContributeHeather Bodington is an IT Quality Assurance Lead at Aetna and the National Vice Chair of Aetna’s Asian Employee Resource Group (ERG). “The first event I went to at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza was a Pilobolus show eight years ago. It was a fantastic performance and it was free!”

Over the past few years, Heather and the ERG have partnered with Aetna’s Community Relations and Urban Marketing Department to lead the Aetna teams at the annual Dragon Boat & Asian Festival. “Dragon Boat is now our ERG’s flagship event. We started off small with only a few boats growing to 10 boats this year! It was really exciting to see over 260 Aetna employees, friends, and family paddling or cheering on the teams. I am proud to be a part of a company with a strong commitment to building a healthy community and celebrating cultural diversity. Connecting with organizations such as Riverfront Recapture and events like dragon boating will create a healthier and better Hartford.”

In addition to attending and participating in events, Heather commits significant volunteer hours to Riverfront and the Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, and converts those hours into a contribution to Riverfront via Aetna’s volunteer matching program.

If you work for an organization that offers volunteer matching, and you are already a Riverfront volunteer, we encourage you to apply for your match. If you are not yet a Riverfront volunteer, please consider it, and take advantage of that option!

riverfront.org #ctriverfront

Coming AttractionsJoin us at Spotlight Theatres Front Street on November 18 for a screening of “Return of the River,” a gorgeous documentary about the dam removal and river restoration project on the Elwha River in Washington State. This season’s series of environmentally-themed films will continue with “Olmsted and America’s Urban Parks” on January 13 and “Who Owns Water” on March 23. Learn more and purchase tickets at riverfront.org/benefit.

WOOHOO Congrats to our men’s and women’s rowing teams on a winning performance at the 2015 USRowing Masters Nationals, bringing home two gold, four silver, and ten bronze medals, and all of our respect!

Donor RecognitionMark your calendar to join us onThursday, December 3, at 5:30 pm for a Donor Recognition Reception at Riverfront’s Boathouse, Riverside Park, 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT. Invitations will be in the mail soon.

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