Hamden, Connecticut: Ernest Borgnine Park

Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine was born and lived in Hamden, Connecticut before hitting it big in show biz. Ernie never forgot where he came from and makes frequent trips back to his hometown.

Hamden honored him in 2005 with a small piece of land in the corner of a shopping plaza parking lot. Ernest Borgnine Park sits at the intersection of busy Dixwell and Putnam Avenues, and while it's nice, it would be even nicer if they had a statue or some sort of explanation as to who Ernie is (although, I suppose, if you're Ernest Borgnine, you don't need an introduction). I also read that there was a path somewhere in town with a sign calling it Ernest Borgnine Way, but it was later replaced with a sign that says "Please clean up after your dog."