Stamford (1)

Jackie Robinson Park of Fame,
Jackie Robinson Way (West Main Street)

jrAfter a long and full day of CTMQ’ing with Rob C, I dropped him off at the train station and set out to find one last item of interest in Stamford: The Jackie Robinson Park of Fame.

Stamford is a funny town; one of the few in CT with a mix of affluent and not-affluent. (Usually, the affluent live in a town adjacent to the more urban areas.) Not that Stamford is awful by any stretch.

Anyway, a short drive south over to West Main Street from downtown takes one to the more ethnically diverse areas of Stamford. West Main Street is double-signed as Jackie Robinson Way here and took me right to the triangular and tiny little Jackie Robinson Park. And now that I’ve visited, artfully made sure no bums appear in my photos, and successfully explained to the burrito truck guy that I didn’t want a burrito, I’ve learned that Jackie lived in Stamford!

Prior to 1947, two separate baseball leagues in America pursued their dreams and, more regrettably, two distinct audiences for them flourished. When Jack Roosevelt Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday morning, April 15, 1947, he forever changed major league baseball and delivered a resounding lesson on race relations in America. Jackie’s heroism supported him through a whirlwind of controversy, allowing him to weather difficulties and maintain his course.

jraFor more than 20 years, Jackie Robinson lived with his family in Stamford, demonstrating pride in his heritage. He represented tolerance, educational opportunity, and the confidence that inspires personal achievement and success. A life-size bronze statue of Jackie Robinson with an engraved base bearing the words “COURAGE,” “CONFIDENCE,” AND “PERSEVERANCE” stands in the park located on West Main Street, the gateway to downtown Stamford. The educational programming associated with the park serves as a gateway to the future of the nation’s youth.

The Jackie Robinson Park of Fame is dedicated to inspiring them with the vision of an American hero and a role model who also happened to be a legendary sports figure.

The Jackie Robinson Park of Fame, Phase Two, scheduled for Spring 2001, includes landscaping with trees (check), flower beds (check), and lighting (maybe); a decorative lit fountain spraying a cascade of water into the air (didn’t see that in 2010); benches commemorating role models and leaders of local and national prominence (nor these); and a Walk of Honor with commemorative bronze plaques in tribute to outstanding national role models and leaders (nor these).

Pretty cool.

jrp

Jackie Robinson

CTMQ’s Concept of Freedom Trail

3 responses to “Stamford (1)”

  1. Boston Ben Haith says:

    What is the matter? Why can’t the public see a large photograph/picture of the Jackie Robinson statue in Stamford, Connecticut? I am surprise that there dosen’t seem to be one on the internet.

    Boston Ben

  2. Steve says:

    It’s a conspiracy.

  3. BostonBen says:

    I was glad to see how the state of California celebrated Mr. Jackie Robinson at this time. As time goes by more people from the world will see Jackie Robinson as a symbol of freedom and justice. He represented the people of color and people of all the people of the world. He was a gentle man. He is a universal figure. I hope that the people of the world will recognize his contribution to the human race. He was more than an athlete, he was someone every descent individual in the world can admire for his courage and his contributions to human kind. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to send this message to all the people of the world

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