Lt. Governor Terms $3M Grant To Manchester Park An Investment

MANCHESTER, CT — Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz took once look at Center Springs Park in Manchester Thursday and said one word.

"Wow."

She commented on the pond, the rolling hills, the disc golf course, the location that is accessible from two parts of Manchester. Bysiewicz said it was not tough to decide it is all worth a $3 million investment on the part of the state.

Late last month, Gov. Ned Lamont announced a $3 million state bonding grant-in-aid to the town of Manchester for improvements to Center Springs Park.

The funding is designed to help pay for improvements to Center Springs Park that include include the creation of more accessible footpaths, installation of fitness equipment, construction of an amphitheater, relocation of the playground, and enhancements to the three entrance areas on Trotter Street, Liberty Street, and Lincoln Center.

"Why did this project rise to the top? It's a focus on equity and inclusion," Bysiewicz said. "Center Springs Park here in Manchester is a park that benefits the entire community, including the socially vulnerable population."

In addition to accessibility, Manchester Director of Leisure, Family and Recreation Chris Silver, Manchester Mayor Jay Moran and the Manchester state legislative contingent stressed connectivity. For example, Center Springs connects the Cheney trail system to the downtown area.

Moran and Silver said there has been a great deal of attention paid to Downtown Manchester in recent months and Center Springs is the natural progression in an effort to connect parks to parks and sections of town to sections of town.

There is also a regional aspect to the improvements. Cyclists and hikers can tour the park., then head to the Cheney Trail toward the Manchester Historic District in one direction and to Bolton Notch in another, where connections can be made to Vernon and Willimantic as part of the Charter Oak Greenway system.

Bysiewicz said that leads to economic benefits as well because those touring the area will stop along the way to visit merchants for refreshments and such.