Farmington River Pier Fundraising Effor Proves Wildly Successful

FARMINGTON, CT — The Farmington Land Trust has completed a $275,000 fundraising campaign for Polly's Pier, an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform that will provide access to the Farmington River for people of all ages and abilities.

Construction is scheduled to begin Aug. 19 at the land trust's Douglass-Mount property in Unionville, just off the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, commonly known as the Rails to Trails.

The project, called Polly's Pier, will extend from the trail toward the Farmington River and is designed to provide an accessible place for visitors to experience the river and surrounding natural area.

The pier is named in honor of Polly Hincks, a longtime Farmington resident and advocate for the independence of people with physical disabilities.

The Farmington Land Trust announced the completion of its "River Access for All" fundraising campaign after reaching its $275,000 goal.

“Every single dollar that was donated made a difference—and made it happen,” the organization said in announcing the milestone.

The land trust described Polly's Pier as a community asset intended to make the river more accessible to residents and visitors regardless of age or physical ability.

The campaign received support from community organizations, foundations, businesses, and individual donors.

The land trust identified stewardship donors and partners including the Richard P. Garmany Fund, Farmington Community Chest, Ion Bank, Farmington River Watershed Association, the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic Committee, AARP, the Cowles Family Foundation, the Perra Family Foundation and New Horizons, among others.

The organization also credited project manager Steve Nelson and members of the campaign committee for their work on the project.

The campaign's honorary chairs were Lisa Johnson and Ted Lindquist, while Evan Cowles and Cate Grady-Benson served as committee co-chairs.

The land trust said additional updates will be provided as construction progresses.

For the latest Farmington Land Trust information, click on this link.

From July 15: 'Farmington River Pier Project Nets Major Grant Funds For Improving Access'

From March 27: 'Farmington Land Trust to Build ‘Polly’s Pier’ To Improve River Access'