Reconnecting neighborhoods in New Haven

About

The Underpass Park project aims to bring together youth, artists, and community members to build a shared, multi-use space beneath Interstate-91 reconnecting neighborhoods in New Haven.

A diverse group of people gathered outdoors in a semi-circle, participating in an educational tour or discussion in a natural setting near tall grass, trees, and urban structures in the background.

MISSION

In the mid-1990s, highways were constructed in New Haven — a vision of city planning called “urban renewal” destroyed portions of communities and displaced residents.

Highway construction has left a lasting impact on the city’s landscape including dividing neighborhoods from one another for decades to come.

The Underpass Park Project aims to directly address and heal the harm of this history through facilitating a design process that brings together youth, artists, and community members to build a shared, multi-use space beneath Interstate-91 reconnecting three socioeconomically diverse neighborhoods — East Rock, Fair Haven, and Cedar Hill. 

View of the underside of a concrete bridge with painted graffiti, surrounded by overgrown weeds and trees with sunlight filtering through.
Underneath a bridge over a river, with concrete supports and greenery on the riverbank, reflections in the water, and a sunny sky.
Looking up underneath a bridge with rust and grime on the support pillars, surrounded by dry bushes and greenery, and a clear blue sky.
View under a bridge over a small river with steps leading down to the water, trees on both sides, and another bridge in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Partners

  • Arts Council for Greater New Haven

  • District NHV

  • Plush Skate Shop

  • Junta for Progressive Action

  • Youth Design Team

  • Architect: Alexis Sablone

  • Supported by: AARP Livable Communities Recipient

  • Supported by: National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Recipient

Timeline

Building a park in this overlooked space beneath this underpass has been an idea for 10+ years.

2024

  • Hosted multiple site visits with various stakeholder groups

  • Identified Alexis Sablone as park Architect

  • Hosted Youth Design Team meetings to engage New Haven high-school students in design and visioning process

  • Hosted Community Design Session with New Haven Sketchers

  • Launched Underpass Park Survey garnering dozens of responses

2025

  • Received AARP Livable Communities Grant

  • Hosted additional Community Design Sessions — including with jam session with Semilla Collective

  • Hosted site visits with various stakeholders

  • Received National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant

  • Co-hosted Yale School of Architecture Insight Day with high-school students

  • Hosted focus groups with Mary Wade, Disability Rights advocates, and other key stakeholders

  • Hosted survey session for Wilbur Cross High School students

Coming up

  • Finalize first renderings of Park Design

  • Additional Community Design Sessions (i.e. canoe-making, music)

Advisory Committee

  • Ben Berkowitz

    Plush Skate Shop and former Chair of Upper State Street Business Association

  • Alexis Sablone

    Olympic Skateboarding Coach and Architect

  • Hope Chávez

    Executive Director of Arts Council for Greater New Haven

  • David Salinas

    District NHV

  • Ana Juarez

    Board Member of Elm City COMPASS

  • Kiana Cintron

    Junta for Progressive Action

  • Caroline Tanbee Smith

    Board of Alders for Ward 9

  • Charlie Nixon

    Life-long New Haven resident

  • And numerous other volunteers

In The News

  • A woman in a white blazer and jewelry speaking into a microphone outdoors, raising her right arm in front of a graffiti wall and green trees.

    Found, Sound At Mill River Underpass

    NEW HAVEN INDEPENDENT

    READ MORE
  • Five people walking on a narrow concrete pathway under a bridge over a river, surrounded by trees.

    I-91 divided New Haven. Now the community wants to turn one of the underpasses into a park.

    THE NEW HAVEN REGISTRAR

    READ MORE
  • Group of diverse young people and adults posing outdoors under a large concrete bridge, surrounded by greenery.

    Mill River Dreams Take Root Beneath I-91

    THE NEW HAVEN ARTS PAPER

    READ MORE
  • Group of young students sitting in a bright classroom, listening to a woman standing and speaking at the front.

    Group eyes I-91 underpass in New Haven for new park

    NBC CONNECTICUT

    READ MORE

share your thoughts

We want to hear from you: In addition to the trail, what else could transform this overlooked site into a place that reconnects our neighborhoods?

FILL OUT OUR SURVEY

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