Open Space Projects In Clinton, Westbrook Receive State Funds

CLINTON, CT – Clinton and Westbrook will receive funds for open space projects as part of a statewide effort. In Clinton, Lot #30 West Road will receive $7,000.

This 5-plus acre property falls within a proposed greenway location and is directly adjacent to the town beach, according to a statement. Located between the coastline and the Hamock River, it functions as a coastal wetland habitat and provides flood protection for residential properties to the south. The site is less than 1 mile from the town’s commercial center. This area will be accessed along a proposed coastline trail.

In Westbrook, $315,000 has been set aside for the 147-acre Toby Hill project. The entire property is a 600-acre block of core forest.

It is a mixed coastal hardwood forest and contains oak, hickory, beech, black birches, and red maples. The upper reaches of Trout Brook, a Class A tributary, runs through the center of the property. Native brook trout have been recorded on site, according to a statement

The Connecticut Water Company’s Holbrook well site is located downstream. The property features moderate and steep slopes, glacial erratics, scenic vistas, and a plateau interspersed with wetlands. The property is favorable for passive recreation and is accessible over an unpaved portion of town-owned Toby Hill Road.

The funds were allocated as part of Gov. Ned Lamont's awarding $9.1 million to support grants for 24 communities to preserve 2,466 acres of land as open space.

The program is intended to protect wildlife habitats, offer recreational opportunities, and serve as a buffer and adaptation to climate change. The land being purchased must be protected by a conservation and public recreation easement that will ensure the property is forever protected for public use and enjoyment, according to the statement.

“Open space is vital to environmental protection and a bright economic future for our state,” Lamont said. “This program is an important component of preserving some of our state’s best and most beautiful land, and by partnering with our municipalities and nonprofits we can ensure that these valuable resources are preserved in perpetuity for generations to come.”