Ansonia Parks & Rec to hold fishing derby at Colony Pond

 

Ansonia Parks & Recreation to hold memorial fishing derby at Colony Pond

 

Fishing derby slated at Abe Stone Park in Ansonia

Ansonia Parks & Recreation will hold a FREE Fishing Derby from 9 a.m.-noon May 13 at Colony Pond.

The Derby is open to residents 15 and under. Colony Pond has been designated as a “Community Fishing Water.”

What this means is that Colony is stocked with three species of trout (Brown, Brook and Rainbow) twice in the spring. 

A new addition this year is that the DEEP also stocked channel catfish. Colony Pond also has healthy populations of largemouth bass and sunfish. 

All state regulations apply to any fish taken at Colony Pond such as minimum lengths and creel possession limits.

Trophies and prizes will be provided by Frank Pelaccia. 

Some fishing equipment will be available for anyone who does not have a rod and reel to use during the tournament. Participants must supply their own bait. 

The late Bill Stokes was an Ansonia resident who worked for years to get the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to stock trout into Colony Pond. 

He was dedicated to improving the opportunities for young and old to enjoy fishing at Colony. In 2015, Colony Pond was designated as a “Community Fishing Water." 

Bill passed away in May of 2015 but has left a lasting impression on fishing at Colony Pond, Abe Stone Park, and the entire Ansonia community.

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Recuperation journey: Fading fall foliage

... at Colony Pond in Ansonia.

Ansonia Parks & Recreation to hold Fishing Derby at Colony Pond

 

Cassetti reminds residents Abe Stone Park, Colony Pond in Ansonia are open

This is shared from a post today on the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

ANSONIA - With warmer weather upon us, a reminder from Mayor David S. Cassetti that Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond are open for fishing and boating (kayaks, canoes, row boats).

Boating requires a permit available at the Town Clerk’s office ($2 for 2 years), while fishing license is required for over 16 years of age. New to the pond this year will be catfish, being stocked in May by the DEEP.

Other park offerings that will soon be available include volleyball, soccer fields, full court basketball, marked hiking trails, children’s play scape, picnic grounds with grills, and on occasion the Colony Snack Shack.

Cassetti had many of the park’s amenities significantly upgraded in 2019 through corporate donations, his office said.

Ansonia officials, residents celebrate reopening of Abe Stone Park

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, far right, was joined Saturday by city officials and representatives of Ansonia Beautification Fund sponsors to celebrate the reopening of Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond.

Ansonia to celebrate recharged Abe Stone Park/Colony Pond Saturday

But first a look back, courtesy of the City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"With Abe Stone Park & Colony Pond set for a celebration event this Saturday (July 27), here’s a scene from the pond in 1956. 

"The building shown originally included a concessions stand, dressing room and showers. Note the cement and wood plank benches and lifeguard station on left. A man made beach extends from the building to water."
The Evening Sentinel photo caption read: “Colony Park Pond is a busy spot these warm, summer days as hundreds of youngsters with their parents, flock there daily following playground programs elsewhere in the city. Ansonia Recreation Commission supervises the popular swimming spot in conjunction with its summer program. Supervised swimming is provided daily and weekends.” — at Abe Stone Park.

*Credit This Week in Ansonia History post on the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

City to celebrate improved Abe Stone Park at Colony Pond in Ansonia

Opening at Abe Stone/Colony Park in Ansonia postponed a week

Ansonia to celebrate city parks with events on Saturday

Ansonia to host event to celebrate improved Abe Stone Park

Ansonia rejuvenates Abe Stone Park, Colony Pond site

Workers Wednesday finish painting first-ever parking lot lines at one of two lots at Abe Stone Park./ City of Ansonia photo

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti’s promise to rejuvenate Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond continues with lining of two on-site parking lots, repairing and repainting of basketball court, and installation of a boat dock. 

Numerous other improvements have begun and will be completed in the coming weeks including adding volleyball, hiking trails, picnic tables and grills.

The improvements are being funded by the Mayor’s new City Beautification Fund with generous donations from Home Depot, Regional Water Authority, Frank Pepe Construction, ION Bank, Southern Connecticut Dental Group, United Illuminating, Eversource, Homa Pump Technology, and collectible Wakelee Avenue Trolley Track sales. 

Stay tuned for a grand ribbon-cutting event announcement in June.

*This information is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

City starts improvements at Abe Stone Park in Ansonia

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti posts trail markers at Abe Stone Park./ Contributed photo

ANSONIA - Things got under way at Abe Stone Park last weekend with a ceremonial first hiking trail marker placement by Mayor David S. Cassetti. 

The marker signifies the beginning of many upcoming recreational improvements at the park planned by the Mayor for this summer.

Volunteers continued hanging markers along the estimated mile-plus long hiking trail with expectations of finishing mapping of the remaining trail route this week. 

“My goal is to make Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond a recreational attraction once again for our residents,” Cassetti said. “It has been long neglected and needs refining. I can’t wait to see this completed.”

The trail will also outline the Colony Pond perimeter and proceed into the hillside woods an additional mile, looping back to the pond. An estimated 200 feet of boardwalk will be added over marsh areas and the pond-feeding brook with funding provided by Home Depot and construction by Emmett O’Brien Technical High School carpentry students. 

In the coming weeks, volunteers will clear the trails of any litter while pruning branches along the hiking route.

Also on tap for this summer is repairing of the basketball court and kids playground, adding volleyball, picnic tables, cooking grills, opening of the Colony Snack Shack, and adding a boat dock to allow canoes, kayaks, and rowboats on the pond.

In April, the DEEP will once again stock the pond with trout and catfish for public fishing. 
A long-term plan by Cassetti is to make a small area of the pond suitable for swimming once again.


This is a press release from Ansonia City Hall.

Ansonia Police charge 2 juveniles in Nature Center vandalism

Vandals hit Abe Stone Park after snowstorm

ANSONIA - Ansonia Police charged two male juveniles March 2 with vandalism in February of the soccer field at the Ansonia Nature Center. 

Damage to the field was estimated to be $1,500. 
The males, both 17 at the time of the vandalism, were charged with Criminal Mischief First Degree and released to their parents, police said. 
Both suspects are scheduled to appear at Waterbury Juvenile Court later this month.

Vandalism reported at Abe Stone Park
The Ansonia Police Department today investigated a reported vandalism at Abe Stone Park on Colony Street. 
It appears at least two vehicles, a motorcycle and a truck, were driven on the soccer field causing an unknown amount of damage, police said. 
The vandalism is believed to have occurred over the last two days as the tire tracks are in the recent snow. 
The Ansonia Police Department is asking anyone with information to please call 203-735-1885. Information also may be left on Tip411.

Ansonia readies opening of concession stand at Colony Pond

City of Ansonia photo

ANSONIA - With last week’s installation of the Colony Snack Shack sign at Abe Stone Park, it’s another reminder that spring outdoor activities are just around the corner.

In a few short weeks the concession stand at Colony Pond will be opening, after being shuttered for nearly 50 years.


This information is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Ansonia planning 3 beautification 'Clean & Green' projects this spring

Colony Pond at Abe Stone Park.

ANSONIA - With spring just around the corner, the timing is ripe to begin planning 2019 Ansonia beautification projects.

Mayor David S. Cassetti’s ongoing “Clean & Green” initiatives for Ansonia continue with the announcement of three beautification efforts he expects will move forward this spring and summer. 

And if all goes as planned, most of the cost will be paid in full or part by business sponsorships and net proceeds from sales to date of Wakelee Ave trolley track collectibles.

“We’re getting positive feedback from businesses in town who have offered sponsor support to pay in full or greatly subsidize three important low cost, high impact projects my administration is targeting for completion this year,” said Cassetti.

VOLUNTEER REQUEST & ANSONIA BEAUTIFICATION FUND

The City will soon announce an Open Request For Resident Volunteers to participate in upcoming plantings around town including the Mayor’s annual Earth Day litter cleanup. 
Also, an Ansonia Beautification Fund will be started that will accept private and business donations in any denomination, and used exclusively for defined beautification projects.

One of the first city resident in-kind donations received was last week by the Eaton Family of Ansonia who donated eight assorted trees for planting at Abe Stone Park.

The 2019 improvements and beautification projects include: 

ARMORY GROUNDS: Phase II Landscaping

A canopy of assorted varieties of wild flower, daffodils, shrubs, and evergreen plantings will be added to the highly visible Armory hillside. 

This follows last year’s extensive Phase I invasive vegetation removal and planting of 15 trees, rose bushes, and wild grass/clovers ground cover on the hill. 

ABE STONE PARK & COLONY POND:

A bevy of improvements is planned for the 25-acre Abe Stone Park and Colony Pond. 
Included will be restoration of the children’s playground, basketball court repair; installation of a volleyball area; adding more than a mile of hiking trails through hillside park woods and around colony pond including installation of nearly 200 feet of boardwalk; adding a pond boat launch to allow kayaks/canoes/row boats; creating a picnic grounds with picnic tables and cooking grills. 
Also opening this spring will be the Colony Snack Shack. Shuttered for more than 50 years, it has been completely refurbished.

FIREHOUSE/FARREL BELL RESTORATION:

Historic bell

Professional restoration of the large historic 1877 firehouse bell formerly located atop Farrel Manufacturing on Main Street. 

When restored, the bell will be moved from storage in Public Works to a new home at Webster Hose Memorial Park on Central Street for public viewing.

Webster Hose
Memorial Park

For more details on each beautification proposal, please visit: www.cityofansonia.com

Business or private donation interest to any of these or future beautification projects should contact Cassetti’s office, 203-736-5900 or gmartin@ansoniact.org.


Photos and press release from the Mayor's Office.

Fourth-graders help stock Colony Pond in Ansonia

Fishing instructor Dave Connelly of Ansonia helps students stock Colony Pond.

ANSONIA - Colony Pond received a second stocking of trout this month when the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection added nearly 150 delectable trout to the city pond at Abe Stone Park. 

Earlier this month, the DEEP had initially stocked the pond with 200 trout.
The stocking is in preparation for the Bill Stokes Memorial Fishing Derby at the pond May 6, from 9 a.m.-noon.

Forty fourth-grade students from Mead and Prendergast Schools participated in stocking the pond by emptying pails of trout.

An osprey was spotted on two occasions attempting to pluck dinner from Colony Pond without much luck while Mayor David S. Cassetti showcased his pond-stocking talents on one occasion.

A DEEP attendant on site indicated that typically most of the stocked trout, raised at Burlington Nursery in Connecticut, will likely end up on dinner tables this spring and summer.

Mayor David S. Cassetti joins students Monday at the pond stocking.


*Note: Photos from City of Ansonia.