Farmington Awarded Grant for Purchase of Open Space

FARMINGTON, CT — Farmington is one of 17 communities in Connecticut which will be receiving grant awards totaling $4.7 million to acquire 1,170 acres of open space, Gov. Dannel Malloy's office announced Monday.

Farmington's grant of $650,000 is for a project entitled South Ridge & Settlement Road, which involves the purchase of 107.1 acres of space along the Farmington and Plainville town line.

The property is a large unfragmented woodland that encompasses an entire traprock ridge habitat, including wetlands at the toes of the slopes, with steep traprock slopes rising to the ridgeline and gradual eastern slope. Nearly 2/3 of a mile of the Metacomet Trail is located on this property, which is part of the Metacomet Ridge, an officially designated Greenway System.

“Connecticut’s tradition of preserving open space began in the early 1900s and continues today with a focus on land preservation that protects important natural resources and ensuring that our state maintains its natural beauty,” Governor Malloy said. “Through these grants, we will increase the availability of open space to provide our residents with protected lands to enjoy for outdoor recreation all across our state.”

The Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), assists local governments and land trusts in purchasing open space. This grant program requires a conservation and public recreation easement that will ensure that the property is forever protected for public use and enjoyment.

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