CHESHIRE, CT — Cheshire has been awarded a $722,800 state grant to protect 18.5 acres of open space, preserve working farmland and open new public recreational access along the Quinnipiac River, according to officials.
The funds are part of the $9.4 million in state grants announced by Gov. Ned Lamont this week to support the purchase and protection of more than 1,243 acres of open space through 14 properties in 15 communities. Additionally, $2.4 million is being awarded to support the improvement of 15 urban green and community garden spaces, according to a news release.
The Cheshire grant will support the Cheshire Land Trust’s acquisition of a property on East Johnson Avenue along the eastern bank of the Quinnipiac River.
“The land sits within an Aquifer Protection Area and contains prime and important farmland soils,” according to a news release. “The existing agricultural use will continue. Once protected, the property will open public access for hiking, fishing, and kayaking, with ADA-accessible features to welcome visitors of all backgrounds and ability levels.”
The project has the support of the Town of Cheshire, the Regional Water Authority, and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments.
“This grant keeps working farmland along the Quinnipiac River in agricultural production while opening the riverfront to public hiking, fishing, and kayaking,” State Sen. Jan Hochadel said in a statement. “A new trail, fishing spots, and a boat and kayak launch will give Cheshire residents access to the river, with ADA-accessible features to make sure everyone can enjoy it. This is the kind of project that makes a lasting difference for a community, and I am grateful the state is making it possible.”
Funding is provided through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA) and the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program (UGCG), both of which are administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
“Open space provides benefits to residents across Connecticut and makes our state a great place to live,” Lamont said. “These community assets provide free recreational opportunities and connect our residents to all the health benefits that come from spending time outdoors.”
State officials said recent statutory changes have expanded access to both grant programs.
Among the changes, underserved communities are now eligible for reimbursement of incidental land conservation costs through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program, while Environmental Justice Communities and nonprofit organizations have become eligible applicants under the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program.
According to the state, those changes have led to increased participation and demand. The Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program received the highest number of applications since it was established in 2007.
"The Lamont administration, our partners in the state legislature, and land conservation stakeholders remain focused and committed to protecting open space and realizing the recreational and environmental benefits it provides as we continue to work toward Connecticut’s open space goal," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in a news release.
"DEEP is proud of the recent statutory changes made in conjunction with advocates and the state legislature that have increased access and equity in these two programs. DEEP is excited to work with all these wonderful partners to bring tangible benefits to more communities across Connecticut."
Since the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program began in 1998, more than $199.6 million in Community Investment Act and state bond funding has been awarded to municipalities, nonprofit land conservation organizations and water companies to help purchase more than 49,000 acres of publicly accessible land.
Since 2019, nearly $66 million has been awarded through the program to protect almost 14,000 acres. During the same period, $4.4 million has been awarded through the Urban Green and Community Gardens Grant Program for 36 projects, including $2.4 million for 15 projects in the current grant round.
The grants announced this week represent the 28th grant round under both programs.
Applications for the next round are now being accepted. Applications for Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition grants and appraisals are due Nov. 6, while appraisal review and Urban Green and Community Gardens grant applications are due Dec. 4.
Read details on the Cheshire project below:
Project Name: Frank’s Field
Sponsor: Cheshire Land Trust (CLT)
Location: East Johnson Avenue, Cheshire
Grant Amount: $722,800.00
Size: 18.5 Acres
Description: CLT aims to acquire and protect this land, on the southerly side of E. Johnson Avenue and the easterly bank of the Quinnipiac River. The current agricultural use, which takes up a majority of the property, will continue, in keeping with Cheshire’s rural heritage. The remainder of the property will be improved to encourage public access along the river by way of a hiking trail, fishing spots, and a boat/kayak launch. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessibility features, as well as programming on the property, will render the field a destination for visitors of all backgrounds, ages and ability levels. The property is within an Aquifer Protection Area, a Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) area, and contains 100% Prime and Important Farmland Soils. Two of the property borders abut existing, protected open space. The project enjoys strong support from the Town of Cheshire, the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Government (COG). The land is high priority for conservation and will make an outstanding environmental and recreational amenity for generations to come.
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