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The Park’s strategic plan calls for “developing collaborative thematic programming between Park partners.” Funded by a grant from the Panoram Foundation we engaged FIO Partners of Chester, CT, a consulting firm that specializes in working with non-profits, to help us through this process. We started by interviewing 20 stakeholders from the community. These included heritage and cultural sites such as the Avery-Copp House, the Hempsted Houses, Friends of Fort Trumbull, Fort Griswold, as well organizations like the Flock Theater, New London Main Street and others.

Our goal was to find out how the Park could help our partner organizations and build an experience that would resonate with a variety of audiences. We then held a one-day retreat. Sixteen stakeholders and representatives from our partner sites attended the January 31st Collaborative Planning Retreat at the Lyman Allyn Museum. There we developed ideas for collaboration and started the exciting work of creating and delivering on the TRHP experience.

We had a productive and enjoyable day brainstorming and planning. We heard many common goals for taking advantage of the rich content and expertise found in each of the heritage sites and pooling these to develop programming and events. Many terrific ideas surfaced and we will be convening again soon to continue the planning. Thanks to our facilitator Anne Yurasek who kept us on track throughout the day.

Thanks to everyone who attended and to the Lyman Allyn for the inspirational venue.

Through its bonding authority the CT Port Authority has approved the Park’s grant application for the design, construction and installation of a water taxi landing – a floating dock just like those at our other landing sites. Introducing this new stop on the water taxi route will be an exciting new venture. To quote a June 2017 editorial in The Day, “ . . .Most important to the park’s mission, adding the Nautilus and Submarine Force Museum to the water taxi stops is another step toward illustrating the totality of the immense breadth and span of the region’s history, a history in which the Thames always has played a vital role.”

More than a year in the making, this could not have been accomplished without the expertise and collaboration of the Town of Groton, City of Groton, the Navy and the leadership at the Subase and The Submarine Force Museum. Thanks to all who helped steer this to success. The Navy has agreed to oversee construction and, once completed, will assume ownership and maintenance. It could be ready as early as 2019.

The Museum receives almost 150,000 visitors a year. We are looking forward to introducing them to all that is happening in the Park.
(See The Day editorial)

The Thames River Heritage Park Foundation received the CT Chapter of the American Planning Association’s 2017 Implementation Award on January 12th, at a luncheon held in Middletown, CT, attended by about 100 people. The award reads, “In recognition of the tenacity, collaboration and political will of a diverse group of link-minded volunteers with one vision: One River. A Thousand Stories.”

A large contingency representing the Park was in attendance, some of who are shown in the photo below. An ongoing testament to the dedication of our volunteers.

Our Ride & Save Program is about providing the best experience for riders as well as getting more traffic into local businesses.

Customers just show their water taxi ticket or season pass to any participating business and receive an exclusive discount or promotion. Take a look at the Ride Save Flyer 2019.

If you are a business owner all you have to do is:
1) Determine the discount or promotion you want to offer that will be unique to water taxi riders.
2) Email it to us along with your logo and website or FB Page address.
3) We’ll post your offer and link to your site on the Thames River Heritage Park website, include it in social media and promote it on the water taxi.

It’s that simple!

Last year more than dozen companies – from The Garde Arts Center to Wheeling City Segway Tours to retailers like Flavours of Life and eateries such as Fatboys, Thames River Greenery and Muddy Waters all participated. THERE IS ABSOULTELY NO COST TO PARTICIPATE. Contact us with your offer.Email it

If you enjoyed riding the water taxi last season and want to do your part in keeping it cruising on the Thames, then consider becoming a TRHP Member. Membership includes a 2018 season pass – that’s unlimited rides all season – a $50 value. You’ll also receive a TRHP decal for your car window, updates on the Park, and the knowledge and warm feeling that you’re supporting an organization that is working to build a rich and diverse cultural experience for visitors as well as those who live here. Here is where you can give.