Parker Memorial Rec Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium

Please forgive the blurry pictures. It's a new camera, and beyond that I'm just a crappy photographer.

Last week, I was treated to a tour of the newly renovated Parker Memorial Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium, a Recreation Center on the North End of Hartford.

Walking in through the back door, I was greeted with a beautiful, wall-sized painting outside of the Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium. Most people probably would've said, "Hey, who is Kelvin D. Anderson anyway?" But I'm not really good at the whole attention to detail thing, so I kind of just nodded and smiled as my guides showed me the piece and said, "That's why we placed this picture outside the gym." It wasn't until the end of the tour that someone told me that Kelvin Anderson was an Olympic boxer who died in a plane crash on his way to compete in Poland back in 1980. Oh...so that wasn't Muhammad Ali...good to know.


Right now, the gym and fitness area are the only parts of the Center that are open for public use, and I suggest you get some use out of them. Most of my experience in gyms involved sitting on the bleachers and faking illness while other children threw balls at each other. But with all the natural light that beamed in, I could see playing basketball on one of the 6 hoops in there being a pleasant experience for active people.


The fitness center was more my cup of tea. The equipment was clean and new, with about a billion free weights and some benches, 2 treadmills, 1 elliptical, a recumbent bike and an upright one. I know gyms are advertising their $10 a month specials right now, but this is free dollars a month with hours that are just as convenient. And I know some of you wise-asses are gonna say, "it's not free, I pay taxes!" First off, you probably come running in City Hall on the last day they're due, just like me, so let's not get all indignant. Second, this is one of those rare opportunities we get to see our tax dollars in action, so stop by and pump some iron just so you can feel like you're getting some justice.





In the front of the building is the Multipurpose Room. Right now it's set up with some long tables and fun green chairs, all facing a large dry erase board with a projector hanging from the ceiling; sort of like a lecture hall. But this room can also be used as a cafeteria since there's a chromed-out commercial-style kitchen attached. The room also serves a much more important purpose: In 2012, when the Mayan calendar is up and tidal waves crush our homes, it can double as a community shelter for families in need using a generator for up to 2 weeks. Hahaha, I'm just kidding! About the Mayan tidal wave...the shelter part is very real and very awesome. Let's hope we never have to use it, but if we do, Parker Center will hold us down.

There will be a computer lab with about 8-10 computers available, but they weren't yet installed so no blurry pics of those exist. There's also an arts & crafts room with some large tables to work on. This room will double as a classroom for community classes that will be available, such as parenting courses, GED training, literacy programs, tutoring for students and so much more. So while your kids are playing around the center, you can get your own stuff done. Another feature is a room with a smaller, round table that I think would be a great space for smaller groups to hold meetings in.

Art lab


Meeting room

The pool is beautiful and will be used for lifeguard training and swim classes. As much as I enjoy children, when I'm trying to be all fitness-y and do some laps, I don't want them splashing and jumping on top of me while I'm trying to do my thing. So they'll have an adult swim period for those of you who share my sentiment.


The pool is closed for the summer since there are outdoor pools open all around the city, hence the cover, but it also serves a "green" purpose; it keeps the heat inside the pool, using less energy to keep the water at the proper temperature. Your tax dollars ain't playin around.

In the center of it all is the game/TV room, where you'll find some couches, a few tables and chairs, air hockey, foosball and pool tables.


Last but not least is a garden out back, tended to by some local children, and some local members of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Commission. Right now, it's a "pizza garden" meaning they're growing ingredients that would go on a pizza. Did you hear that? That's my bio-clock ticking because that's a-friggin-dorable!


I'm not sure when the official grand opening for the center is, but I'll make sure to update as soon as I do. Growing up, the rec centers I visited were poorly maintained, woefully understaffed and technologically behind. Hartford is changing for the better in terms of making sure its children are up to snuff, including the opening of some amazing, state of the art magnet schools and libraries. The Parker Memorial Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium is a huge step in the right direction for the North End of Hartford, assuring that state of the art facilities are available out of the classroom and closer to home, where it matters just as much.

If you live nearby, or just want to check it out, the address is 2621 Main Street. It's impressive! And when you leave, stop by Crown Fried Chicken. Besides your grandmother's, it's the best fried chicken you've ever had.