Bridgeport

Bridgeport is a historic seaport city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It part of Fairfield County, at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, and 60 miles from Manhattan.

It is the largest city in Connecticut and the fifth-most populous in New England. And the city is often called the Park City for its public park system, which has led to its official nickname, “the Park City”. The city’s first public park was the westerly portion of McLevy Green, first set aside as a public square in 1806.As the city rapidly grew in population, residents recognized the need for more public parks and by 1864, Barnum and other residents had donated approximately 44 acres to create Seaside Park, which bouders Long Island Sound. In 1878, land bordering the Pequonnock River was added as Beardsley Park.Frederick Law Olmsted, famous for creating New York City’s Central Park, designed both Seaside and Beardsley Parks. Beardsley Park is home to the Beardsley Par Zoo. It is the only AZA-accredited zoo in the state. It includes one of the few carousels in the state. Over time, more parks were added including 35-acre Beechwood Park and Pleasure Beach,
home to a popular amusement park for many years. Went Field, on the West End of the city, was used to be the winter headquarters of Barnum’s circus.

The showman P. T. Barnum was a resident of the city and served as the town’s mayor in the late 19th century. Barnum built four houses in Bridgeport and housed his circus in town during winter. Some other cool history bout the Park City are: The first Subway restaurant opened in Bridgeport’s North End in 1965.The Frisbie Pie Company was in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport is credited as the birthplace of the Frisbee.