2003 – April 21
A constitution and by-laws is incorporated. Friends of Brooksvale Park, Inc. is born!
2004
On May 23 the first annual meeting of Friends of Brooksvale Park was held in the loft of the big red barn. The non-profit (501)(C)(3) organization provides environmental education, preserves and enhances the integrity of the park’s natural and cultural resources, and serves as an advocate for the park for the benefit of the citizens in the greater Hamden area. Volunteers assist the park staff at festivals, trail work days and educational programs. Through open communication and dialogue, FOB works to encourage town officials to responsibly support the park both physically and financially.
2005
The Friends of Brooksvale holds it’s first Bake Sale at the annual Brooksvale Festival in October to raise funds for the park.
2006
Members help with the Maple Sugaring Open House in March, CT Trails Day in June and the Brooksvale Festival in October. A wreath-making workshop to raise funds for the park is held the first Sunday in December.
2007
In September a barn dance with approximately 70 in attendance was held with the Fiddleheads accompanied by caller Jim Gregory providing the music.
An Owl Prowl led by naturalist and FOB member Tom Parlapiano was held in early November and over 100 adults and children attended.
2008
Maple Sugaring Open House was rained out. Kirsten Walker was hired as the new sugar maker and over 500 children came through the educational program.
April brings with it the influx of wild animals into many of Hamden’s neighborhoods. To help everyone learn more about 2 of special concern, Paul Rego of CT DEP talked about Bears & Coyotes. FOB also participated in Hamden’s 2nd Annual Earth Day Celebration at HMS in April.
In May everyone enjoyed cake and coffee for FOB’s 5th Birthday at the May 8 annual meeting. Guest speaker and member Mike Lockett presented a fascinating program on his hike of the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.
September brought another barn dance with 58 brave souls coming out in the torrential rain. Caller Bill Fischer and the Fiddleheads were well received by all.
2009
Friends participated in the Earth Day event at Hamden Middle School. There was a barn dance in May following the annual meeting. Again volunteers helped at Trails Day and the festival in the fall. Funds are building up in the account for a future project or two.
2010
At the March meeting the New Animal Barn project was proposed by Ranger Vinny. All decided to keep thinking about it and how to go about getting the town’s approval. Maple Sugaring Open House, Earth Day, Trails Day, Astronomy Night, Fall Festival and Wreath Making Workshop are now regular events the members organize or help with.
2011
Maple Sugaring Open House, Earth Day, Trails Day, Astronomy Night, Fall Festival and Wreath Making Workshop are now regular events the members organize or help with.
2012
Raise the Roof fundraising campaign is begun in March to raise the necessary funds to build a new animal barn at the park. Maple Sugaring Open House, Earth Day, Trails Day, Astronomy Night, Fall Festival and Wreath Making Workshop are now regular events the members organize or help with.
2013
Maple Sugaring Open House on March 2 with close to 300 visitors throughout the day, was a HUGE success. March also marked one year of fundraising for the New Animal Barn and $95,000.00 is earmarked for the project by FOB, Inc.
May
Construction begins on the new barn. A groundbreaking ceremony is held on Friday, May 10 at 10am and close to 50 friends and supporters are in attendance. Hamden Mayor Scott Jackson, Ranger Vincent Lavorgna and Friends of Brooksvale Secretary Kirsten Walker offer brief comments and congratulations to this long awaited community effort.
Excavators, Cement Mixers and workers begin to show up the week of May 12, 2013.