A ribbon cutting was held on the Upper East Side of Bridgeport Saturday for a new family-friendly attraction.

Officials say there wasn't a trash can or even a park bench in Manila Park 14 months ago.

But on Saturday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined the likes of Spider Man and Wonder Woman for a fun-filled kick-off of the newly renovated park.

Officials say improving neighborhood parks adds to the property values of nearby homes.

"This is a celebration of a transformation and creating a great neighborhood pocket park that really is in a densely populated, more impoverished middle class neighborhood, so it's very important to people," says Maria Pereira, of the Bridgeport City Council.

Sen. Blumenthal added, "It's going to really transform the quality of life here in this neighborhood due to what Maria and others in local leadership, the Bridgeport Parks Department – everybody coming together – the community really working united to restore this park."

Officials say the park is ideal for holding events like kids' birthdays, family picnics and graduation parties.