(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is awarding $14.5 million in state grants to aid in the purchase and protection of more than 2,626 acres of open space through 17 projects in 18 municipalities across Connecticut. Additionally, $343,015 in state grants are being awarded to create two new urban community green spaces in Stratford and Thomaston.
These funds are being provided through the state’s Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program and the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program, both of which are administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). They mark the largest round of open space protection awards – both by acreage protected and by dollars awarded – in more than a decade.
“Connecticut is the fourth most densely populated state in the country, and it is critical that we set aside some of the gorgeous natural resources we have in the state and protect it as open space in perpetuity for everyone to enjoy for generations,” Governor Lamont said. “The funds we are announcing today will not only help combat the impacts of climate change, but they will also create more equitable access to outdoor green spaces within our most underserved communities. These grants are an excellent reminder of why Connecticut is such an incredible place to work, live, and play.”
“Since the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program began in 1998, more than $161 million in state funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies to assist in the purchase of more than 43,000 acres of publicly accessible land,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “Open space preservation is more important now than ever. These lands provide critical natural climate mitigation solutions, protect our important wildlife habitat and species, maintain healthy air and clean water, and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for Connecticut residents. The historic awards announced today will have a significant positive impact on public access to open space in our state. It is also critical to ensure that protected open spaces are equally accessible to all Connecticut residents. We are also encouraged to see that recent changes to the open pace program’s scoring criteria, which prioritize accessibility via public transit and proximity to urban and more densely populated communities, have resulted in over a quarter of the acres protected by this grant round being in economically distressed communities.”
The Connecticut General Assembly established a goal of protecting 673,210 acres (21%) of the state’s land base as open space. The goal calls for 320,576 acres (10%) to be held by DEEP as part of the state’s system of parks, forests, fisheries, and natural resource management areas, and 352,634 acres (11%) to be acquired by DEEP’s partners, which include municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations, and water companies.
As of December 31, 2023, DEEP estimates that its partners held approximately 253,682 acres (71.5%) of their share of the state’s open space goal, and that DEEP held approximately 263,528 acres (82.22%) of its share of the state’s goal. In total, 517,210 acres have been preserved (76.82% of the total goal), leaving an additional 156,000 acres remaining to meet the 21% open space goal.
While the number of acres conserved is important, what is equally important is where those acres are and who they are accessible to. DEEP will continue to ensure that these funds are distributed equitably across the state. Prior to the 2021 grant round, DEEP and its partners adjusted the scoring criteria for Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program to factor in the ability to access sites via public transportation and the population density within the project vicinity. These changes have helped make the program scoring more equitable, ensuring some of Connecticut’s most in-need communities receive funding for much-needed open space protection. This round, four of the top scoring projects will bring additional open space to target investment communities and distressed municipalities.
Recent changes to state statutes will add 48 additional underserved communities to the list of areas eligible for increased funding through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program and will make them eligible for additional aid for incidental costs associated with the application process.
The grants announced today are the 26th round awarded under these programs. The recipients include:
Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grants
Project Name: Laurel Ridge Property
Sponsor: Winchester Land Trust
Location: Pratt Street, Winchester
Grant Amount: $1,650,000
Size: 507 Acres
Description: The Laurel Ridge property has been a prime target for conservation for some time. The property features a long, forested ridge, and beautiful viewsheds from both east and west. Streams feed into Highland Lake and East to the Still River, eventually feeding into the National Wild and Scenic Farmington River. The property contains 426 acres of core forest, part of an 860-acre core forest block, near other protected lands, including two State Parks and two previously funded OSWA projects. The terrain is varied and supports abundant wildlife and plants, with rare species being documented on or near the property. The property contains historical remnants of a demolished flour mill and the Carey Racetrack (discontinued in the early 1800s), which will become an accessible flat, wide trail for people with limited mobility. The property is within an environmental justice community in Winchester, Connecticut.
Project Name: Belknap II Property
Sponsor: Aspetuck Land Trust
Location: 0 Wampum Hill Road, Weston
Grant Amount: $521,300
Size: 20.76 Acres
Description: The Belknap II property is a 20.76-acre parcel of undeveloped woodland with frontage on Wampum Hill Road, Cannondale Road, and Cindy Lane. Mayapple Brook, discharging into the Norwalk River, and wetlands run through the east of the property. It provides direct linkage to the existing Norwalk Heritage Greenway. It is part of a long-term assemblage project that Aspetuck Land Trust has undertaken to create a 705-acre contiguous forest known as the Weston Wilton Forest Reserve (WWFR). The parcel contains multiple stone walls, and varying topography, and will provide significant passive recreation opportunities through the creation of a central trailhead with hiking trails and off-street parking lot. The parcel will create a “triple-junction” intersection that completes a regional trail and wildlife corridor through state, municipal, and land trust-owned properties that connect the WWFR to the Norwalk River Valley Trail and The Nature Conservancy’s Devil’s Den Preserve.
Project Name: Benedict Property
Sponsor: Aspetuck Land Trust and Town of Monroe
Location: 30 Old Newtown Road; 460 Purdy Hill Road; 504 Purdy Hill Road; Monroe
Grant Amount: $1,803,750
Size: 65 Acres
Description: The Benedict property is adjacent to the existing Pequonnock/Housatonic Railbed Greenway. The Pequonnock River Trail runs along the eastern property boundary, sandwiched between this property and the 346-acre William Wolfe Park. Aspetuck Land Trust and the Town of Monroe plan to link the Benedict property to this trail and increase recreational opportunities within the subject parcel as well as Wolfe Park. This property will be used to create an off-street parking area, and hiking trail network with scenic vistas, open meadows, and dense woods. This parcel features extensive wildlife habitat, wetlands, and a complex of meadows. The parcel contains ideal habitat for numerous State-listed species of conservation concern.
Project Name: Haskell Property
Sponsor: Aton Forest, Inc.
Location: 72 Church Hill Road, Colebrook
Grant Amount: $117,000
Size: 40 Acres
Description: The Haskell property consists of 40 acres of forested land with frontage on Church Hill Road and Connecticut Route 183 in Colebrook. This property borders over 1,300 acres of Aton Forest-preserved lands and adjoins an Audubon-designated Important Bird Area. It features stone walls, glacial erratics, a range of elevations, and high-quality wildlife habitats. Consisting mostly of core forest, the property slopes towards the adjacent Sandy Brook and has seasonal streams that eventually drain into the Farmington River. Acquisition of this property will increase connectivity between protected lands, allowing for the movement of wildlife and plant species. A public trail is planned to cross the property, facilitating public access and recreation on-site.
Project Name: Rowley Property
Sponsor: Avalonia Land Conservancy
Location: 48 Stoddards Wharf Road, Ledyard
Grant Amount: $409,500
Size: 223.47 Acres
Description: The Rowley Property, located northerly of Stoddards Wharf Road, contains significant wetlands, freshwater marsh, woodlands, and agricultural fields. The property is traversed by Billings Avery Brook, a cold-water habitat stream identified by DEEP as supporting habitat for trout which will provide fishing opportunities to the public. The property abuts the 101-acre Avery Preserve; 5.36 acres of Town-owned open space; 144.1 acres of Groton Utilities land within the drinking water watershed; and is adjacent to an Area of Contribution to a Public Supply Well. This open space will provide passive recreation opportunities including hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and bird watching opportunities during the warmer months, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.
Project Name: Wagner Property
Sponsor: Avalonia Land Conservancy
Location: 82, 292, 300, and 318 Old Canterbury Turnpike, Norwich
Grant Amount: $442,500
Size: 101.47 Acres
Description: The Wagner property consists of 101.47 mostly forested acres and will create a 500+ acre contiguous open space, increase greenway connectivity, protecting drinking water supply and wildlife habitat. The property contains variable topography, and several key habitats including upland forest, forested wetlands, shrub inland wetlands, freshwater aquatic ecosystems, and vernal pools, presenting excellent opportunities for passive recreation. The Alleghany plum, a species listed by DEEP as State Special Concern, has been identified on site. Byron Brook runs along the westerly boundary of the property and is classified as a “Class A” waterbody, and its preservation would support the protection of drinking water and has been endorsed by Norwich Public Utilities. Byron Brook drains into the Shetucket River, which is part of the Thames River estuary.
Project Name: Center Groton Preserve
Sponsor: Groton Open Space Association
Location: 0 North Road, Groton
Grant Amount: $321,000
Size: 89 Acres
Description: The Center Groton Preserve consists of 89 acres of upland forest, forested swamps, wetlands, and two cold water streams. The forestland makes up part of a moderate-sized block of core forest. The property offers valuable passive recreation opportunities including hiking, biking and nature walking trails, cross-country skiing, and other winter activities. It would provide connection to numerous other greenways and recreational areas. Its 17 acres of wetlands include two small streams, a small waterfall, and numerous springs and vernal pools. The wetlands provide watershed land for the Groton Utilities’ water system and help to protect drinking water resources. The property features prominent bedrock ridgelines that provide educational, recreational, and scientific opportunities.
Project Name: Putnam Property
Sponsor: Litchfield Land Trust
Location: Fern Avenue, Litchfield
Grant Amount: $422,500
Size: 104.84 Acres
Description: The Putnam Property consists of 104.84 acres of core forest with frontage on Fern Avenue in Litchfield. The property is bordered to the north by 21.5 acres of open space owned by Litchfield Land Trust, 213 acres of preserved land to the east that includes Litchfield Land Trust properties, a Morris Land Trust preserve, and the Litchfield Land Trust Stillman-Danaher Preserve. To the south, connected properties include 30 acres of Litchfield Land Trust property, the Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy Hauser Preserve, Topsmead State Forest, and additional Litchfield Land Trust protected properties. The resulting 1,000-acre mosaic of protected property provides immense connectivity of core forest corridors across Eastern Litchfield. This keystone parcel will feature hiking trails connecting Morris Land Trust trails on Clark Road to the Stillman-Danaher Trail System, resulting in more than five miles of connected trails with access from three different roads. The parcel contains a mix of forest types that vary in age and size, increasing the resilience of the forest, as well as its potential for carbon sequestration. The parcel includes eight acres of forested wetlands interspersed within the upland habitat, supporting a wide variety of wildlife and protecting water resources that partially drain to the Naugatuck River.
Project Name: Milde Farm
Sponsor: Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy
Location: Town Farm Road, Wilson Road, and Norfolk Road; Litchfield and Torrington
Grant Amount: $3,559,914
Size: 650.28 Acres
Description: This property is one of the largest undeveloped parcels remaining in Northwest Connecticut. The property contains farmland and core forest and supports diverse forest types including stands of conifer and hemlock, riparian forested wetlands, and oak/mixed hardwood stands. The farms to the west and south are permanently protected by conservation easements held by the Litchfield Land Trust. The property contains numerous freshwater streams, ponds, forested riparian wetlands, and swamps. Approximatively 1.4 miles of the East Branch Bantam River flows along the western boundary. This property will serve as a forest buffer for the East Branch Bantam River, protecting drinking water, maintaining cool stream temperatures and protecting habitat for aquatic, terrestrial and avian wildlife.
Project Name: Glen Brook
Sponsor: Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy
Location: 138 Route 39 North, Sherman
Grant Amount: $965,250
Size: 117.24 Acres
Description: The Glen Brook property is one of the largest undeveloped parcels remaining in Sherman, creating an opportunity for a premier public hiking preserve for the region, being bordered to the east by NCLC’s 160-acre Strauss Morrisey Preserve. It contains diverse forest stands of mature hemlocks and extensive oak/mixed hardwood stands on a steep, west facing slope, high elevation post-agricultural fields, wooded wetlands, and at least two confirmed vernal pools and numerous State-listed species of flora and fauna. The property’s wetlands drain into the Wimisink calcareous swamp that supports numerous State-listed species and is an area identified as one of Nature’s Network Core Connectors. The Wimisink swamp drains into the Housatonic River. NCLC plans to build a four-season recreational trail network, with two miles of trail through varied terrain and habitats, along with a 10,000 square foot off-street parking area to support 30 vehicles. The planned trails on the property will be linked to those on the Strauss Morrissey Preserve, providing a connected trail network of 4.5 miles stretching from Sherman to New Milford and containing superb hiking and scenic vistas.
Project Name: 188 Four Mile River Road
Sponsor: Old Lyme Land Trust
Location: 188 Four Mile River Road, Old Lyme
Grant Amount: $248,300
Size: 42.43 Acres
Description: This property is a priority acquisition of the Old Lyme Land Trust, strategically located for developing a town-wide greenway and hiking trail system, near other significant greenway properties, including the Lay-Allen Preserve (215 acres), the McCulloch Family Open Space (312 acres) and the Upper Three Mile River Preserve (157 acres). The property will be publicly accessible with a trailhead and parking area on Four Mile River Road. The property consists of core forest, inland wetlands, and riparian buffers, supporting native habitat largely free of invasive species. The parcel contains the headwaters of the Three Mile River, presenting as a landscape of rocky ledges with spring-fed wetlands and four stream tributaries. The acquisition of this property provides numerous ecosystem benefits including climate change mitigation, clean water, clean air, temperature modification, core terrestrial/imperiled species habitat, watershed protection, headwater/cold-water streams, and core forest protection, all while providing passive recreation opportunities and public access to open space.
Project Name: Tom’s Hill
Sponsor: Salisbury Association
Location: Twin Lakes Road, Salisbury
Grant Amount: $1,592,500
Size: 297 Acres
Description: Tom’s Hill lies easterly of Salisbury’s “Twin Lakes” and westerly of the Housatonic River, rising above Lake Washining (East Twin Lake) to the summit of Tom’s Hill. The parcel abuts large blocks of protected land (540 acres to the northeast, 418 acres to the southeast) that link the property to the Housatonic River, containing outstanding viewsheds, scenic vistas, and ridgelines. It presents excellent recreational opportunities for scenic hiking, with complex terrain with ridges, knobs, cirques, benches, and ravines. Accessible via Twin Lakes Road, the property is a valuable recreational resource and will complement existing recreation opportunities on adjacent and nearby protected lands. The property is almost entirely core forest, consists of a mixed northern transitional forest of hardwoods and conifers and includes at-risk habitats including forested swamps, freshwater wetlands, and riparian lands adjacent to cold water streams. Part of the Housatonic River watershed, the property contains three miles of streams and riparian corridors that drain to Lake Washining, an important fishery resource.
Project Name: Bis Property
Sponsor: South Central Connecticut RWA
Location: 679 Mountain Road, Cheshire
Grant Amount: $188,500
Size: 70 Acres
Description: This property is part of West Rock Ridge that runs from New Haven to Cheshire and abuts RWA property to the east. The protection of this property will contribute to an almost 900-acre protected block of core forest. The ridge is traversed by numerous trails, notably the Regicides Trail and Quinnipiac Trail. Feeder trails also run from town roads and properties into the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System. The addition of this parcel provides benefits to local hiking, walking, bird watching, viewsheds and other local passive recreational opportunities. The entirely forested subject property contains 20 acres of wetland, providing habitats for upland and wetland species migration, forested swamps and a small stream running at the base of the slope of the ridge. The wetlands and stream are within the Lake Whitney watershed and protecting them will help maintain pure drinking water for the public water supply.
Project Name: Silver Beech Property
Sponsor: Southbury Land Trust
Location: Silver Beech Road, Southbury
Grant Amount: $121,485
Size: 5.95 Acres
Description: This acquisition has been a top conservation goal of Southbury Land Trust (SLT) for over a decade. The property connects SLT’s Phillips Farm and Lovdal Farm Preserves, and its preservation will protect the scenic ridgeline view along Lovdal Farm Preserve’s Drumlin Hill. It contains upland forest habitat, vernal pools, streams and year-round springs and seeps, a spring-fed stream and other seasonal streams that drain into Phillips Farm Preserve’s uncommon “fen” wetland, a home to state-listed species. Preservation of this parcel will protect abutting small-to-medium core (250-500 acre) forest blocks which support younger forest and transitional habitats and numerous State-listed plant and animal species.
Project Name: Tolland Marsh
Sponsor: Town of Tolland
Location: Cider Mill Road, Tolland
Grant Amount: $87,750
Size: 100 Acres
Description: This acquisition is the first phase of a broader plan to create the “Tolland Marsh Trail Network,” a multi-use trail for area residents, including those in nearby high-density housing, linking Crandall Park with municipal services on or near the Tolland Green, including the library, Town Hall, Recreation Department, Senior Center, and Tolland Intermediate School. This will expand the capacity for residential and visitor use of municipal facilities and enhance passive recreational opportunities to include extensive hiking trails, boardwalk style pedestrian bridges, and installation of a gravel parking lot. A “blue trail” is planned along the Class A-designated Skungamaug River, through the Tolland Marsh wetland complex, with a small launch for non-motorized recreational boating access. The Tolland Marsh complex includes a variety of wetland habits including forested/shrub wetlands, emergent wetlands, and upland areas that border the marsh. The project is within the Audubon Connecticut “Bolton Range/Cockaponset” Important Bird Area. Preservation of this parcel will protect key habitat for numerous State listed wetland species, as well as migratory animals, and fish species.
Project Name: 138 Williams Road
Sponsor: Town of Wallingford
Location: 138 Williams Road, Wallingford
Grant Amount: $435,500
Size: 40.7 Acres
Description: This acquisition will protect Class I and II lands under the Wallingford Water Division’s supervision, functioning to protect this undeveloped watershed area from environmental degradation and providing water quality purification in its open and forested areas. This parcel is traversed by the Muddy River, a Class AA watercourse and primary tributary for McKensie Reservoir. The Muddy River supports native fish and provides a valuable wildlife corridor, connecting habitat around McKensie Reservoir upstream through rural and low density developed lands to Spring Lake and beyond. This acquisition will contribute to the assurance of clean and ample public drinking water, protecting an unfragmented diverse mature forest, open meadow land, wetlands, and a floodplain corridor. Passive recreation offered at the site includes walking, hiking, viewsheds, bird watching and stream fishing. The parcel will be accessible via Williams Road with parking for 2-4 cars, with trails throughout the forested areas.
Project Name: Mountain Lake Road
Sponsor: Warren Land Trust
Location: 64 Mountain Lake Road, Warren
Grant Amount: $1,625,000
Size: 151.8 Acres
Description: This property contains diverse and sensitive natural resources and is part of a contiguous protected block of approximately 1,200 acres including an extensive trail system. The property contains rare habitats including dry oak-pine forest, a Laurentian-Acadian wet meadow-shrub swamp, and a North-Central Appalachian acidic swamp. It protects high-quality natural waters that drain into the East and West Aspetuck watersheds and Lake Waramaug. Its inland wetlands system recharges a public drinking water supply, contains Straits Pond, and multiple Class I and II cold-water streams. Plans for enhancing existing trails include construction of a wheelchair-accessible pathway to the edge of Straits Pond.
Urban Green and Community Garden Grant Program
Project Name: Access Road Arboretum Project
Sponsor: Town of Stratford
Location: Stratford
Grant Amount: $281,840
Description: The Town of Stratford is awarded funding to create a new public green space at an existing vacant lot nestled between Access, Ketcham, and Woodend Roads. Designs include a walking path with native landscaped areas that will serve as a community educational and recreational resource. Enhancement of this site will serve to capture and filter runoff during rain events and offer a vibrant place for residents, school and local community groups, and visitors to enjoy being outside. Once established, future plans by the Town are to link this property to other portions of Stratford’s “Greenway,” including potential connections to nearby Frash Pond and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.
Project Name: Seth Thomas Park Revitalization Project
Sponsor: Town of Thomaston
Location: Thomaston
Grant Amount: $61,175
Description: The Town of Thomaston is awarded funding to improve an existing grassy lot located at the intersections of South Main, Elm, and Maples Streets, next to historic Seth Thomas Clock Factory. Each year, the lot is treasured by the community for a summer concert series hosted by the Fine Arts Connection of Thomaston, an arts and crafts show hosted by The Women’s Club of Thomaston, and a classic car show hosted by the Thomaston Police Explorers. The lot offers a green space for all residents, Seth Thomas Clock Factory employees and visitors a place to enjoy. To dramatically enhance the lot’s public experience, the Town of Thomaston has designed and will construct new parking, an amphitheater, a pergola shade structure, lighting, water and sewer utilities, seating benches, bike racks and other amenities. There will be native and heritage landscaping throughout.