Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

DEEP is excited to be getting back to our new normal consistent with the direction of Governor Lamont and as a result of the rapidly improving COVID-19 situation in Connecticut. Starting no later than June 1, all customer facing services will resume normal business operations. For detailed information for what this means at DEEP and for the public we serve, visit our "New Normal" website: DEEP New Normal Information

Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program

(CGS Section 7-131d to 7-131k, inclusive)

Community Garden in New London

McDonald Park Community Garden, McDonald Street 
Sponsored By City of New London & New London FRESH

The Department is pleased to announce the Urban Green and Community Garden (UGCG) 2021 Grant Application is now available. Electronic submittals must be received by September 30, 2021. 

The Department would like to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their comments with us concerning the OSWA/UGCG Grant Application. Please refer to the summary of survey results. 

The Department's Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program provides funding assistance to develop or enhance urban open spaces for public enjoyment and/or environmental education.  Promotion of open space in an urban setting may include, but may not be limited to, the development of a community garden or reclaiming and enhancing existing open space for the public's use.  Grants are awarded to projects that demonstrate the highest ability to benefit urban communities in close proximity to population centers.

The UGCG is administered through the Department's Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) Grant Program.  Grants under both UGCG and OSWA are based on the merits of the projects and the level of funding available.  Funding for these programs is derived from State bond funds and/or the Community Investment Act.  Stay tuned for our next OSWA/UGCG grant award announcement.


Grant Program Eligibility Requirements:
  • Applicants must be a municipality, or a municipality partnering with a non-profit organization;
  • Projects must take place within the territorial limits of a “Distressed Municipality” or a “Targeted Investment Community” (CGS section 32-9p);
  • Projects must take place on publicly-owned land.  If a non-profit organization is a co-applicant, it must have control of the project area for at least 10 years or another term as approved by the Commissioner of DEEP;
  • Applicants must have funds available or funding sources available for 50% of the anticipated total project cost;
  • Projects must create, enhance or restore a community garden or urban green space;
  • Applicants must clearly show how the public will access and enjoy the project.  If public access is not clearly shown, the project will not be evaluated or awarded a grant;
  • Projects cannot be for commercial activities (i.e., use of property for sale of goods or productions of goods for sale that generate a profit, turf athletic fields, indoor recreational facilities, or swimming pools); and
  • Projects cannot take place on land that was acquired by eminent domain.

Working at the FRESH Community Garden
Mercer and Williams Street Community Garden
Sponsored By City of New London & New London FRESH

Additional Assistance

Please first reference the Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have additional questions, please contact Allyson Clarke:

Allyson Clarke, Property Agent
Phone:  (860) 424-3774
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Land Acquisition and Management Unit
Office of Constituent Affairs/Land Management
79 Elm Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06106-5127

 

Content updated July 2021