State Funding OK'd To Pay For Nipmuck Forest Project

STAFFORD, CT — Governor Ned Lamont said that the State Bond Commission has approved an allocation of $30 million that will be used for infrastructure repairs and refurbishment needed across the Connecticut State Parks system, including at Nipmuck State Forest.

Lamont chairs the commission.

The funding supports the Restore CT State Parks initiative, which Lamont said is "an historic effort by the administration and the state legislature to address the backlog of needed repairs across Connecticut’s 110 state parks and 32 state forests."

Since 2022, the state has committed more than $70 million of American Rescue Plan Act and state bond funds to support "investment in outdoor recreation across Connecticut," the governor said.

"Our state parks and forests are a big part of our incredible quality of life in Connecticut," Lamont said. "These destinations are also well-loved, welcoming an estimated 17 million visitors annually. That’s more than four times the population of Connecticut.

"We're restoring our parks to ensure that residents and visitors now and into the future can have a wonderful outdoor recreation experience in Connecticut."

At Nipmuck State Forest, a roadway stabilization and culvert replacement project has been funded at an estimated cost of $107,500.

Stickney Hill Road is the only access to the Ben Arnold Fields, the southern portion of the 2,729-acre block of forest. Some parts of this road are impassable, and significant improvements have been needed, including 2.5 miles of road stabilization and culvert replacement.

The project addresses the needs for access by law enforcement and parks, forestry and wildlife staffers and will provide hiking and hunting access to the public, Lamont said.

The Connecticut State Parks system is administered and maintained by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

"Thanks to the governor's and the legislature's historic commitment, we've already made significant progress addressing our backlog of repairs and refurbishment, completing dozens of projects with many more projects in process," DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said.