Stamford Receives Federal Funds For Upgrades At Boccuzzi Park

STAMFORD, CT — One of Stamford's gems will soon receive some upgrades.

Elected officials on Monday gathered at Boccuzzi Park in Waterside to highlight $1.81 million in federal funding that will go towards phase II of improvements at the 12-acre coastal park and the addition of a splash pad and water play area, re-location of the tennis and basketball courts, a playground and tot lot, multi-use lawn space, and additional parking.

The city will chip in another $1.81 million for the project.

The project is still in the design phase, and will be going out to a Request For Proposal in the coming months, according to Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons. It will be a year or two before construction is complete.

The federal money is coming to Stamford from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program, which is funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The program provides grant assistance to help economically disadvantaged communities with little access to closeby outdoor recreation.

Simmons was joined by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy; U.S. Congressman Jim Himes (D-4); state Rep. Corey Paris (D-145); Stamford Board of Representatives member Virgil de la Cruz (D-2); and SoundWaters President Leigh Shemitz on Monday morning at the nearly-finished Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center to discuss the funding.

"Enhancements at this park are part of a broader vision for the city so we can add more greenspaces which we know are so important for wellness and mental health, and social cohesion and connectedness for our city," Simmons said.

Simmons said the city has the goal of making sure every resident in Stamford has access to a quality park within a 10 minute walk of where they live; there are currently 42 parks around the city, she said.

The improvements at the park, combined with the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center, will further enhance the neighborhood and Waterside area, Himes said.

The center is expected to get a certificate of occupancy soon. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in early November.

"In combination, this is going to just make the kind of vibrancy, the kind of city we all want," Himes said.

Shemitz said a great city needs a great waterfront, and Boccuzzi Park and the harbor center contribute to that amenity.

"A truly great waterfront has a place where people can engage and learn and access the water to find peace, find fun, find joy. Here with Boccuzzi Park and all the renovations and here at our harbor center, that's what we're going to have," she said.

Murphy spoke about the importance of parks, especially to younger generations.

"The data is clear. Kids that grow up within walking distance to a park are healthier kids. Kids that grow up within walking distance to a park have much lower rates of obesity," he said. "There's a clear correlation between access to really great parks and children's health. That's a clear interest for the federal government, state government, and city government."

Murphy also said access to water is impactful for young people. Owen Wyman, a senior at Stamford High School and participant in SoundWaters programming, spoke briefly about how his experiences have influenced his interest in environmental science.

Formerly known as Southfield Park, the name was changed to Boccuzzi Park in 2011 in honor of John Boccuzzi, a longtime Waterside resident and member of the Board of Reps. for 40 years.

Blumenthal noted that he used to live five minutes from Boccuzzi Park. He was good friends with Boccuzzi, who served as treasurer of his first-ever campaign.

"I think he would be very, very proud that this neighborhood bears his name for times to come, and that it will help to power the continued growth of Stamford, not just in the number of people moving here, or apartment houses that are available, but in the quality of life that makes Stamford so rare and wonderful," Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal also praised Stamford for reclaiming what once was deserted land filled with contaminated soil and transforming it.

"Stamford has demonstrated the courage to say, 'We're not going to let this land go to waste. We're going to reclaim it.' That takes a lot of fortitude and bravery," he said.

State Rep. Corey Paris (D-145), who represents Waterside, said Stamford's proximity to the water drew him to the city and caused him to settle here.

De la Cruz, who helped spearhead the new harbor center and advocated for improvements to Boccuzzi Park for years, said the harbor center served as a catalyst to finally get things done.

"Finally we are here, not quite at the finish line, but well on our way," he said. "I'm looking forward to what this park will become."