News: James Cleveland Named Bristol’s 2026 All Heart Parks Advocate of the Year

Date Published	Author
6/3/2026 12:00:00 AM

James Cleveland Named Bristol’s 2026 All Heart Parks Advocate of the Year
 
Bristol, CT – [June 3, 2026] – Bristol resident and long time parks supporter, James Cleveland, has been awarded the 2026 All Heart Parks Advocate of the Year Award. Cleveland is recognized for his longstanding park advocacy and generous financial contribution to the establishment of the James R. Cleveland Wildflower Field at Bristol’s Pigeon Hill Preserve, located at 315 Shrub Road.



Cleveland was honored by City of Bristol Mayor, Ellen Zoppo-Sassu, the City of Bristol Board of Park Commissioners, Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS), and the Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut (ELCCT) at an award ceremony held at the Pigeon Hill Preserve on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Cleveland was presented with the award by Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu before an audience of friends, loved ones, and Bristol community members.

The All Heart Parks Advocate of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize a volunteer in the community that has made significant contributions to improving the quality of the Bristol Park system.

During the award ceremony, Superintendent of BPRYCS, Dr. Joshua Medeiros, and Board of Parks Commissioner, Cynthia Donovan spoke to Cleveland’s history of dedication as a former longstanding member of the Board of Parks Commissioners, decorated Veteran, and champion of open space and pollinators.

 “Jim is incredibly deserving of this award and it was an easy, unanimous decision of the Parks Board to honor him in this way. Jim’s contributions to the Bristol Park system will have a lasting and enduring impact through the creation of a beautiful wildflower field. It’s this generosity and stewardship that will leave a legacy for everyone that comes after us and celebrating that legacy is what this awards program is all about,” remarked Medeiros.

Cleveland once lived on a portion of the preserve property and has heartfelt ties to the area. Most recently, Cleveland made a $50,000 donation to the city to convert a portion of the Pigeon Hill Preserve into a wildflower field and pollinator garden.
ELCCT Executive Director, Scott Heth, remarked that Cleveland’s contributions to the wildflower field will benefit local ecological biodiversity at the Pigeon Hill Preserve, which neighbors the Barnes Nature Center and Bristol’s Seymour Park.