Bridgeport, Connecticut sits at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, providing it with the longest waterfront in the state. But due to historical and ongoing under-resourcing, 70% of the waterfront is currently inaccessible.

Researchers, students, and alumni from the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture are working to create and implement plans that would make waterfront areas accessible and address racial and socioeconomic disparities in the region.

The group is focusing on two key portions of the waterfront: the area known as the “sliver by the river,” in downtown Bridgeport by the train station, and along Yellow Mill Channel, on the east side of the city.

“The impact on the community will be huge. In the past, they did not have access to the waterfront and now we are opening the access points and revitalizing some vacant land and public spaces to be more resilient and socially functioning,” says Sohyun Park, associate professor of landscape architecture.

As part of their landscape architecture studio, undergraduate students were divided into groups to generate proposals for the areas which have served as the basis for actual work on these sites.

For students like Kayla Villareal ‘25, being able to be a part of this area’s evolution has been an inspirational learning experience.

“The best part about the work we completed was seeing the impacts it could have in various communities in Connecticut, as well as other states in the future,” says Villareal.