It seems a person has to love and cheer for a place, or else be a total snob about it, slamming it in a “and this is why I’m leaving Connecticut” Dear John letter. It’s almost as if there is no room for what used to be a normal emotion: simple dislike.

So, I’ll say it. I don’t care for Colt Park.

That doesn’t make it awful. It doesn’t make it bad or dangerous.

I can easily point to why I don’t care for it: sportsball dominates the park. If you enjoy an unbroken view of games and all that goes with them, then you might like Colt Park. You might even love it. Great!

Because I prefer quieter places, or those with musical programming, I just do not go to Colt Park often.

I had to consciously decide to visit recently after having not done so for easily a year. While my overall assessment (“it’s not for me”) remains the same, I was pleased to see a major tree planting initiative, care given to the Morris Street entrance garden, and a new Little Free Library on the fence near the pool. It’s looking tidier in general, and I’ll admit to being momentarily tempted to drop into the free yoga class.