Poetry in the Parks 2024-2025: “Lifting up Teen Voices”

Promoting literacy and a deeper appreciation and connection with the natural world around us.

The Poetry in the Parks Project places poetry signs and banners in many public parks and open spaces around Glastonbury.  Featured poetry currently in place was written by teen students from Glastonbury, RHAM, and Rockville High Schools. It is remarkable writing and our chance to keep “Lifting up Teen Voices.”

The banners are clearly visible in the Riverfront Park and the Center Green. The signs are also in outdoor spaces at the library, as well as other open spaces across town from Ferry Landing to J.B. Williams Park. 

We hope you take advantage of the many parks and open spaces we have in town and enjoy the “bites” of poetry as you explore. 

Through this project, poems are selected by the Glastonbury Poet Laureate. The current series was chosen to “give people a moment of peace or reflection, of joy or curiosity as they move through their day. Having banners in public spaces is meant to give everyone the same access to small bites on their time. There is a place for poetry in everyone’s life!”

The Poetry in the Parks project is a collaboration between the Welles-Turner Memorial Library, the Glastonbury Poet Laureate, the Welles-Turner Memorial Library Second Century Fund, and the Glastonbury Parks and Recreation Department.

2024-2025 Poetry List by Location

Riverfront Park

• "The Sun” by Hannah Kaplan, Class of ‘24
• "A Fleeting Flyer: A Choka” by Natalie Crowley, Class of ‘24
• "Forest Green” by Kiera Braunwart, Class of ‘24
• "Pink” by Ava Roulier, Class of ‘24
• “Picnic at the Pond” by Athena Lavigne, Class of ‘25
• "Mars” by Kyle Wood, Class of ‘24
• “Main Street” by Tyler Feery, Class of ‘24
•  “Lost and In Love” by Julia Parkany, Class of ‘24

Center Green

• "The Last Leaf” by Julia Parkany, Class of ‘24
• "Town Center Blessing” by Charlotte Sikorowicz, Class of ‘24
• “Veil” by Grace Dehnel, Class of ‘24
• “Weeds Work Hard” by Kat Woznicki, Class of ‘24

Other Community Parks and Open Spaces

• from “Daffodils” by Kaylen Nearine, Class of ‘24
• from "Golden Days” by Keira Draghi, Class of “24
• from "Grass” by Ash White, Class of ‘24
• from "Smile in the Sun” by Makenzie Fox, Class of ‘25

About Glastonbury’ Poet Laureate

The Glastonbury Town Council voted to establish a Poet Laureate position for the community in 2015. Poet Laureates are selected by a panel of local literary professionals and poets along with the Welles-Turner Memorial Library Board members. Since 2015, four Poet Laureates have been appointed:

1. Victoria Nordlund - Current Poet Laureate, serving from 2024 - 2027
2. Andrea Barton (2021-2024)
3. Michael Lepore (2018-2021)
4. Alexandria Sergio (2015-2018)

These accomplished local poets have been wonderful ambassadors and activists for poetry in the community.  Each has worked diligently to promote poetry in Glastonbury, nurture new poets, and encourage shared experiences and creative ways to understand our world.