Riverfront Recapture

Peter Morse

Marketing Director — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:58:05 +0000

Peter Morse is Retiring!

Thank you for joining us in celebrating Peter Morse and his 39-year investment in Riverfront Recapture on Thursday, March 5, 6 – 8 pm, at the Boathouse in Riverside Park. For nearly four decades, Peter has been a steady asset, one whose value never appeared on a balance sheet but was always evident in the strength, stability, and integrity of our organization.

The bottom line: while we’ll always appreciate Peter’s dedication, he is officially fully depreciated as Finance Director. He leaves his post with a surplus of goodwill, countless friendships, and an impact that will continue to accrue for years to come.

RSVP For March 5

As Peter closes the ledger on his career, we invite you to make a donation in his honor. We’ve crunched the numbers and offer a few suggested amounts:

$39 — honoring Peter’s 39 years of service
$61 — reflecting the percentage of his life spent at Riverfront Recapture
$142.50 — one penny for every day of his tenure (and yes, he knows the exact number)
$390 — if we measure his service in auditor years
$1,987 — to mark the year that Peter was left on Riverfront Recapture’s doorstep

Or choose any amount that includes “39”— 39¢ or $39-million or anything in between.

Thank you for helping us celebrate Peter and the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind.

Donate Now

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Vendor Registration 2026

riverfrontrecapture — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:36:25 +0000

Vendor Registration 2026

Interested in being a vendor at one or all of our events this year? Registration is now open for food vendors, merchandise vendors, and marketing booths at the following events:

June 13, 4 – 9 pm: Pridefest, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

July 1, 5- 9 pm: America 250: Hartford’s Opening Ceremony Kickoff, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

July 16, 17 & 18, 11 am – 8 pm Hartbeats & Eats/Riverfront Music & Food Truck Festival
Please note: All vendors remain set up and on-site for all 3 days. Overnight security is provided. Vendors must participate for all three days.

August 1, 1 – 8:30 pm: Taste of the Caribbean, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

August 15, 10 am – 5 pm: Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

August 29, 1 – 9 pm: Riverfront Rhythm & Blues Festival, Mortensen Riverfront Plaza

October 4, 8 am – 5 pm: Head of the Riverfront Regatta

Additional opportunities for vendors will be added as we add events to our calendar. Check back soon! Questions? Send us an email.

Stay connected.

Follow us on social media and sign up for our email newsletter to stay connected to our parks and the Connecticut River.

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Program/Events Calendar

Vistech — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:08:51 +0000

Program/Events Calendar

The post Program/Events Calendar appeared first on Riverfront Recapture.

Part-time Park Maintainer

Vistech — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:12:31 +0000

Part-time Park Maintainer

20-25 hours per week per week guaranteed.
Starting hourly rate $20.00-$22.00 depending on experience.

Duties and responsibilities:
• Maintenance, repair, and upkeep of park equipment, pathways, facilities, and grounds.
• Inspect /identify/document hazards and safety concerns and address or report in a timely manner.
• Operation of Riverfront fleet of vehicles and equipment.
• Operate equipment as a part of Riverfront’s snow removal team and other maintenance tasks.
• Work at park clean ups and community projects within the Riverfront park system.
• Flood response and clean-up within the Riverfront parks.

Qualifications and Experience:
Experience: At least 1 year of similar maintenance.
Skills: Excellent communication skills, physical problem-solving skills, familiarity with landscaping equipment and small tools. Experience operating equipment is preferred. Ability to accomplish projects with little supervision. Valid driver’s license with good driving record and reliable transportation.

To apply, click here: Employment Application

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Riverfront Land Development Project Site Remediation Bid Documents Now Available

Vistech — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 17:36:32 +0000

Riverfront Land Development Project Site Remediation Bid Documents Now Available

Bid Documents are available on the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services website. To access bid documents, enter 33189 in the search bar on the DAS website which can be found HERE

Important Dates:
Mandatory pre-bid conference on 11/5/25 at 1:00 pm at RLI.
Bid due date 11/25/25

Project/Property Background
Riverfront Recapture has a development project covering 76 acres that will feature a new riverfront park, contemplated commercial development, and regional trail system extension in the north end of Hartford and south end of Windsor, Connecticut. The project area consists of 60 acres of land owned by Riverfront and 16 previously inaccessible acres of Windsor Meadows State Park, which Riverfront will manage via a stewardship agreement with the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).

The property is notable for barriers cutting the community off from the Connecticut River, which runs along the entire eastern edge of the land. To the south, the property is bordered by Meadow Brook and Hartford’s landfill, to the west by high-speed rail tracks and Interstate 91, and to the north by Decker’s Brook. For over a century, the land was used for farming; most of the property is an open field with remnants of the floodplain forest on its edges. Over the last 50-plus years, the previous owners mined and processed sand, silt, and clay for sale, used the land for commercial truck parking, and as a contractor laydown area for equipment related to railroad construction. Pesticides and construction fill such as concrete, asphalt, and building debris are present throughout the property and are environmental concerns.

The property is located at 100 Meadow Road, Windsor, Connecticut. Exhibit A shows the approximate boundaries of the project area.

About Riverfront Recapture
Riverfront Recapture is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981. We manage, maintain, and operate four riverfront parks and their connected riverwalks and trails.

Our mission is to connect people with the Connecticut River, and we do just that, year-round in our clean and safe parks.

Learn more about Riverfront Recapture here.

The post Riverfront Land Development Project Site Remediation Bid Documents Now Available appeared first on Riverfront Recapture.

Indoor Rowing

riverfrontrecapture — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:00:32 +0000

Indoor Rowing

Our indoor training programs offer adults of all skill levels workouts to boost their fitness, fine-tune their technique, and enjoy the motivation of the group workout environment. Whether you’re gearing up for racing on the water or simply striving to stay in condition during the winter months, our programs provide an excellent avenue to achieve your fitness goals. Group fitness workouts are open to both experienced rowers as well as those new to indoor rowing. The coaches explain terminology specific to the sport, the proper equipment set up, and tailor the workouts so each participant can improve and gain confidence. Racing team practices require prior experience.

Unsure which class is the best option to meet your goals? Reach out to Jonathan with questions before registering. While our training predominantly centers around the ergometer (Concept 2 rowing machine), our sessions also include components like stretching, core routines, and customized strength training to cater to the unique requirements of each group.

2026 Indoor Training — January 5th – March 28th

More indoor programs to follow, check back for updates!

More interested in private coaching? Talk to Jonathan about arranging a session at the boathouse with one of our certified trainers.

All programs are held at the Riverfront Boathouse in Riverside Park, located at 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT.

Financial assistance may be available to adult rowers. To inquire, contact Jonathan Near by email or at (860) 713-3131 ext 314.

Support our community rowing program - make a donation today.

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Head of the Riverfront — Copy

jnear@riverfront.org — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:01:51 +0000

Head of the Riverfront

The 2025 Head of the Riverfront will take place on Sunday, October 5.

Riverfront Recapture is a private, non-profit organization leading the effort to reconnect metropolitan Hartford with the Connecticut River by providing access to four Riverfront parks in Hartford and East Hartford, Connecticut. Each year, beginning in 1998, we host a head style regatta offering competition on the Connecticut River for high school, collegiate, and masters rowers.

Registration has closed.

The virtual C&C will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 7:30PM. Meeting recording here. Passcode: &2+0em!p

We have revised the order of events for 2025. Please review the new event order, as well as be reminded of our guidance on time between races for athlete or equipment reuse, and help us keep the Head of the Riverfront on time. We are starting the race day one half hour earlier, and ending a little later to try to give participants the ability to get where they need to be.

Important note: Only tents that are rented from and provided by the Riverfront Recapture and have been assured to meet the regulations may be used: no team-provided tents will be allowed to set up. The reservation period for tents and grill permits has closed. If you did not decide to rent, please do not bring one to set up. The park is owned by the City of Hartford, and their regulations guide our policy.

Look forward to seeing everyone soon!

2024 Head of the Riverfront Trophy Winners:

Discover RE Cup (Men’s 1st Jr 4+): RowAmerica Rye
Muncie Cup (Men’s Collegiate 8+): Tufts University
LaPerla Plate (Women’s Collegiate 8+): Rhode Island University Women’s Crew
Hayes Cup (Women’s 1st Jr 4+): RowAmerica Rye
Turcotte Cup (Men’s Masters 8+): Riverfront Recapture
Hobart Family Cup (Women’s Masters 8+): Saugatuck Rowing Club
Guzman Bowl (Women’s 1st Jr 8+): RowAmericaRye
Greater Hartford Jaycees Bowl (Men’s 1st Jr 8+): RowAmerica Rye
Reige Plate (Men’s Jr Novice 8+): Saugatuck Rowing Club
Mowell Trophy (Women’s Jr Novice 8+): Greenwich Crew
Marfuggi Points Trophy: RowAmerica Rye

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any race-related questions via email.

All media inquiries should be directed to Mike Zaleski email or at (860) 462-9257.

Photos: Head of the Riverfront 2024

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Head of the Riverfront — Copy

jnear@riverfront.org — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:53:57 +0000

Head of the Riverfront

The 2025 Head of the Riverfront will take place on Sunday, October 5.

The Coaches, Coxswain and Blind Boat Meeting will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:30 pm EST. Please visit Regatta central here for more information.

Registration at Regatta Central for the 2025 Head of the Riverfront opens on August 22. Regular registration remains open until Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Crews are encouraged to not wait until the last minute to register.

Important note: The City of Hartford is stringently enforcing regulations regarding the set up of tents, cooking grills, and the permitting and inspection process for such structures. As a result, to comply with the direction from the Fire Prevention Chief/Fire Marshal for the City of Hartford, only tents that are rented from and provided by the Riverfront Recapture and have been assured to meet the regulations may be used. Teams must register and submit payment for tents through the regatta tent registration process (this is a separate portal from Regatta Central): no team-provided tents will be allowed to set up. Teams may bring their grills, warming tables, etc, but these must only be operated in the designated space adjacent to, but not underneath, their tents assigned to each organization. Riverfront Recapture will obtain the necessary permits for these uses. Assignment of spaces will be made on a first- come, first serve basis. The deadlines for tent reservations is earlier than race registration – September 19 – please do not miss this.

Look forward to seeing everyone the first Sunday in October!

2024 Head of the Riverfront Trophy Winners:

Discover RE Cup (Men’s 1st Jr 4+): RowAmerica Rye
Muncie Cup (Men’s Collegiate 8+): Tufts University
LaPerla Plate (Women’s Collegiate 8+): Rhode Island University Women’s Crew
Hayes Cup (Women’s 1st Jr 4+): RowAmerica Rye
Turcotte Cup (Men’s Masters 8+): Riverfront Recapture
Hobart Family Cup (Women’s Masters 8+): Saugatuck Rowing Club
Guzman Bowl (Women’s 1st Jr 8+): RowAmericaRye
Greater Hartford Jaycees Bowl (Men’s 1st Jr 8+): RowAmerica Rye
Reige Plate (Men’s Jr Novice 8+): Saugatuck Rowing Club
Mowell Trophy (Women’s Jr Novice 8+): Greenwich Crew
Marfuggi Points Trophy: RowAmerica Rye

View 2024 results here.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any race-related questions via email.

All media inquiries should be directed to Mike Zaleski email or at (860) 462-9257.

Photos: Head of the Riverfront 2024

The post Head of the Riverfront — Copy appeared first on Riverfront Recapture.

Public Art

Vistech — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:08:10 +0000

Public Art

Visiting our parks? Discover sculpture installations, murals, and a full series of artwork dedicated to Abraham Lincoln along the riverbanks.

Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk

Lincoln comes to life, in the form of sculptures, along the Connecticut River. His early years and legacy are reflected through artists’ eyes.

Doris Kearns Goodwin helped launch our mobile tour of the sculpture walk on June 24, 2016. Ms. Goodwin, the famed historian, and presidential biographer is our mobile tour narrator. In addition to sharing information about the artists, stories about Lincoln, and excerpts from her book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, Ms. Goodwin expressed delight in the relationship of the sculptures to stories about Lincoln and with the selected excerpts. Together, the information combines to provide great background and more in-depth insight into Lincoln, as his values continue to inspire integrity, hard work, perseverance, and humanism.

Riverfront Recapture · A Welcome Conversation, Dan Sottile (2007)

Transcontinental, Carole Eisner

(2008)

Riverfront Recapture · Transcontinental, Carole Eisner (2008)

Career Column, Gar Waterman

(2007)

Riverfront Recapture · Career Column, Gar Waterman (2007)

About the Narrator: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Riverfront Recapture · About the Narrator: Doris Kearns Goodwin

In addition to the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk, the parks are home to many other sculptures and murals created by artists from across America, offering a wide variety of styles and creativity. From Clyde Lynd’s “Quenticut,” to James Knittle’s “Heightened Body,” the parks offer public sculptures in many different forms and with wide-ranging appeal.

Help to keep our parks safe, clean, and open.
Make a donation today.

Stay connected.

Follow us on social media and sign up for our email newsletter to stay connected to our parks and the Connecticut River.

The post Public Art appeared first on Riverfront Recapture.

The Big Mo’ 2025

Vistech — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:30:02 +0000

Thank You for Celebrating The Big Mo’s 25th Anniversary!

Saturday, October 18, 2025
Carbone’s Hartford at Front Street

Many thanks to everyone who came together to celebrate The Big Mo’s 25th Anniversary and the exciting, under-construction new location of Carbone’s Hartford. In true Big Mo’ fashion, more than 300 guests gathered to connect, network, and reminisce about past Big Mo’s and the many Carbone’s locations over the years. Guests also got a sneak peek at Carbone’s future through schematic drawings of the new interior spaces, along with Riverfront’s plans for the Joe Marfuggi Riverwalk and the future park.

Carbone’s delighted everyone with a spread of their signature cuisine — featuring specialties from Carbone’s Hartford, Carbone’s Catering, Carbone’s Kitchen, Carbone’s Prime, and Paul & Vinnie’s — complemented by a wide range of tastings from generous beverage partners including wine, bourbon, vodka, beer, water, and soft drinks. Italian dancers, a strolling accordion player, a photo booth, and more added to the lively, festive atmosphere.

Event proceeds support Riverfront Recapture’s parks, events, and programs.

Interested in continuing the mo’mentum? Share your ideas for future venues that will be in construction in 2026-2028.

Link: Share your ideas with dbaker@riverfront.org

The Big Mo' 2025 - Carbone's Hartford

View the full gallery

Keep Celebrating Mo’mentum

Riverfront Land, 2024

Bristle & Main, 2023

The Pennant, 2022

Colt Gateway, 2019

American Eagle Financial Credit Union, 2018

Riverfront Recapture

Peter Morse

Peter Morse is Retiring!

Vendor Registration 2026

Vendor Registration 2026

Stay connected.

Program/Events Calendar

Part-time Park Maintainer

Part-time Park Maintainer

Riverfront Land Development Project Site Remediation Bid Documents Now Available

Riverfront Land Development Project Site Remediation Bid Documents Now Available

Indoor Rowing

Indoor Rowing

Support our community rowing program - make a donation today. ​

Head of the Riverfront — Copy

Head of the Riverfront — Copy

Public Art

Public Art

Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk

About the Lincoln Financial Sculpture Walk

Right to Rise, Don Gummer

(2010)

Tete a Tete, Howard Fromson

(2006)

Lincoln Meets Stowe, Bruno Lucchesi

(2006)

Toward Union Lines, Preston Jackson

(2007)

Frontier Life, Neil Goodman

(2008)

Secession, Virginia Seeley/Neighborhood Arts Studios

(2006)

Jack, Philip Grausman

(2008)

Perseverance, Darrell Petit

(2008)

Steamer, Jonathan Kirk

(2007)

Union, Peter Chinni

(2006)

Emancipation, Preston Jackson

(2006)

Equality, Del Geist

(2007)

The Circuit Rider, Peter Busby

(2008)

A Welcome Conversation, Dan Sottile

(2007)

Transcontinental, Carole Eisner

(2008)

Career Column, Gar Waterman

(2007)

About the Narrator: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Help to keep our parks safe, clean, and open. Make a donation today.

Stay connected.

The Big Mo’ 2025

The Big Mo' 2025 - Carbone's Hartford

Keep Celebrating Mo’mentum

Sponsors

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Platinum Sponsor

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Gold Sponsor

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Silver Sponsor

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Bronze Sponsor

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Support our community rowing program - make a donation today.

Help to keep our parks safe, clean, and open.
Make a donation today.