Merritt Parkway Day Marked with Classic Car Parade.
Just like the old days on the Merritt. WestportNow.com photo
They didnt go too fast and traffic backed up behind them, but more than two dozen classic cars tooled along the Merritt Parkway today to mark the 65th anniversary of the parkwayҒs opening.
The Merritt Parkway Conservancy, a group dedicated to revitalizing and celebrating the parkway, sponsored the parade. The drive was topped off with a luncheon at Westports Three Bears Restaurant.
Gov. John G. Rowland marked the anniversary by proclaiming today Merritt Parkway Day in the state.
The group hopes to improve the parkwayҒs appearance by bringing architectural, conservation, and landscaping expertise to complement the knowledge and resources of the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The groups part-time executive director is Peter S. Szabo, a former deputy commissioner in the department.
One of the projects planned by the group is a demonstration effort to light a Merritt Parkway bridge for several months this fall.
It says the goal is to ғheighten public appreciation of the Merritts beauty by drawing attention to the parkwayҒs remarkable bridges.
The Conservancy plans to select one bridge and give it ԓsubtle, architectural lighting during the evening hours.
