NORWICH – It was the collaborative effort between patrons, city officials and volunteers that led to a more vibrant park in the heart of downtown Norwich.

That was the takeaway Tuesday as dozens of volunteers and public employees convened in Gordon Park on South Broad Street for a rededication ceremony and celebration of a long effort to renovate the park.

Gordon Park has undergone an extensive facelift over the last year and half that resulted in new benches, lights, sidewalks, landscaping, and water fountain to capstone the project.

The extensive renovation project received a great deal of private and public support since 2011, including donations of time and money from the Friends of the Parks Committee and community volunteers, NBT Bank, the Norwich Business Improvement District, the Greater Norwich, RC Smith and Roger Follett foundations, in kind services from the City of Norwich Department of Public Works, a park clock donated by Hal Skillin of Skillin’s Jewelers, and a $14,000 contribution from Norwich Pharma Services.