The Connecticut River defines the eastern border of the neighborhood and while much of it is inaccessible to the public, there is a boat launch available at the Charter Oak Landing.
The South Meadows station began commercial operations in 1921. It had the first commercial mercury cycle generating unit in the world. Today, the facility is owned by Connecticut Light & Power.
When two visiting Army airmen were killed as they attempted to land their aircraft at Goodwin Park because no other facilities were available, city officials were spurred to establish a local airport. Brainard Field, named after Hartford Mayor Newton Case Brainard, was dedicated on June 12, 1921. In 1927, 25,000 gathered there to greet Charles Lindbergh after his return from an historic flight to Paris. Today, the airport serves small aircraft, providing charter service and flight instruction. In addition, the Connecticut Aero Tech School is now located at Brainard. Offering training programs in aviation maintenance technology fields, the school is part of the Connecticut Technical High School System under the Department of Education. Brainard also holds special events and aerial demonstrations where one can view aircraft from a bygone era.
Hartford's Regional Market, a 32-acre facility with over 185,000 square feet of warehouse space, is the largest perishable-food distribution facility between New York and Boston. Every day, people come to the market shopping for products ranging from ornamental shrubs, flowers and garden plants to fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, eggs and Christmas wreaths. It is open year-round and has been serving the public since 1952.
Tucked into a corner of the neighborhood, away from public view, the South Meadows Pumping Station quietly does its work of flood control and prevention. It is part of the Metropolitan District Commission and a sister station of the Bushnell Park pumping station.
Due to the large area required by the airport and the dike that runs along the river bank, access to the river south of downtown is extremely limited (more).
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