In preparation for my in-depth review of Hartford’s brand-new Dunkin’ Donuts Park, which is scheduled to open May 31, I interviewed its lead designer, Jonathan Cole, principal at Pendulum.
Yes, it’s over-budget and it’s opening a month and a half later than planned — and that assumes it will actually open on the 31st. And the media in Hartford has been critical of just about every aspect of the project. But that hasn’t dampened Cole’s enthusiasm about the park.
Calling right now “crunch time,” he is spending every weekday in Hartford. “All of the bricks are in place. All of the concrete is poured. All the seats are in. The buildings are done. The field is in. And all of the baseball elements are coming along quickly,” he remarked. “What we’re working on now are the fine details.”
When asked if it looks like the Hartford Yard Goats’ first game in their new home will indeed be May 31, he replied matter-of-factly, “That decision is above my pay grade.” My fingers are crossed, because I arrive in Hartford on Memorial Day, ready to cover the park’s first game the following day. At this point, there have been no indications that it won’t be ready.
“I think when people get beyond everything that’s gone on in the press, and really just get to go into the park and enjoy it, they are really going to find that it’s something special,” he revealed. “It’s something different. This is going to be unique. It’s going to be special.”
The photo (courtesy of Cole) shows the view from the YG Club on the upper level. For photos of Opening Night, be sure to follow my Twitter feed on the 31st.