Coe Memorial Park was given to the Citizens of Torrington by Edward Turner Coe, Ella Seymour Coe, and Adelaide Eliza Coe-Godfrey in memory of their parents, Eliza Seymour Coe and Lyman Wetmore Coe, in 1907. The property comprises nearly five acres including the Alvord property, of which the Carriage Barn shown below was originally a part.  The structures of the Coe Family, including the Family residence, a wonderful Victorian, a large glass Victorian greenhouse, carriage sheds and a stone and concrete gazebo, were torn down in 1914 at the request of the Family.  The Coe Family was responsible for introducing a rarity in the Horticulture world to US garden enthusiasts, a coloured water lily that they imported from Paris.  Their property included formal gardens and sunken ponds. Ten years ago the then Mayor of Torrington,  Mary Jane Gryniuk, appointed a committee for Coe Park.  The Coe Memorial Park Mission Statement reads: "To create within the downtown area of Torrington a first class horticultural haven in accordance and in strict adherence to the intent of the Coe Family benefactors and the Coe-Godfrey Trust".
As seen from Litchfield Street part of the Victorian Promenade of Cherry trees, bulbs, and perennials.
This photograph is dated April 30, 2007 and shows some of the coral Heucheras (old fashioned coral bells), as well as the bulbs planted in all four of these beds.  Also planted are Hidcote and Munstead Lavendula and Bergenia Cordifolia. The latter has a waxy cabbage like leaf similiar to a begonias and was a favourite of the the Victorians for their display gardens. It has a deep pink flower in the spring.

In the fall of 2005, 20,000 bulbs were planted in the Park Gardens. In the Fall of 2006,  5,000 more were added.  Thus, with each spring comes a symphony of colours resulting in an unsurpassed "concerto" for Park visitors in three movements. (three weeks)
These massed displays of tulips will be replaced every two years. The tulip varieties include Salmon and Pink Impression, Apricot Parrot, Gaiety, Holland's Glory, Passionale, and my favourite, Professor De Monsseri.  The  Narcissus varieties, including Ice Folly, King Alfred, Camelot and Petrel are naturalizing in some of the Garden Rooms.  Also, along a boundary fence are vibrant shades of yellows and soft whites which are naturalizing under the huge maples overlooking that area. Blue Pearl Hyacinth add their colour to the  wild Forget-Me Nots, May Night Sage (Salvia Sylvestris "Mainachet"), Bearded Iris, Lacy Snowflake, and Stairway to Heaven in the crescent gardens.
               
                   
                                        

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