SEYMOUR – The Board of Selectpersons unanimously voted at its Feb. 18 meeting to change the name of Broad Street Park to Chusetown Community Park.
The town held a contest among students to come up with a new name. Chusetown Community Park combines the ideas of high school student Aleksandra Czerwony and middle school student Mackenzie Blood.
Aleksandra suggested Chuse Park, while Mackenzie suggested Broad River Community Park. Click here for a previous Valley Indy story.
The name pays homage to the Pequot Chief Joseph “Chuse” Mauwehu, who settled by the Naugatuck River near the park’s waterfalls in 1738.
Chuse also appears on the town’s official seal.
According to the Seymour Historical Society, white settlers referred to the area where the park is situated as Chusetown, after Chief Chuse, between 1738 and 1804.
The pocket park is at the intersection of Broad and River streets. It serves as a gathering spot for various town events, including veterans’ programs, holiday and cultural events.
“We want to thank both Aleksandra and Mackenzie for their essays and decided to go with a combination of both names they suggested,” Selectman Fred Stanek said.
Last year Stanek suggested the town come up with a better name for Broad Street Park, which overlooks the Tingue Dam Falls and the fish bypass.
Mike Kearney, commander of Emil Senger American Legion Post 10 and a member of the Seymour Historical Society, said putting Chuse in the title is good.
“Seymour was called Chusetown and I think it’s entirely appropriate to name the park on behalf of Joseph Chuse,” Kearney said.
Mary Skurat, a member of the Seymour Historical Society, concurred.
“I’m very much in favor of naming the park after Joseph Chuse who was very important to the Town of Seymour,” she said.
First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said a sign bearing the park’s new name will be created and installed by the town’s public works department.
