Sen. Haskell Applauds Open Space, Land Acquisition State Grants

Press release from CGA:

March 17, 2021

State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) applauded the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's announcement that projects in Wilton and Ridgefield have been awarded 2020 Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grants. These projects will receive roughly $200,000 from the State of Connecticut to assist with the purchase of land to complete regional projects.

"I'm so grateful that the state of Connecticut will lend a hand as our community works hard to preserve open space," said Sen. Haskell. "Our beautiful forests and trails make Fairfield County a wonderful place to live, and I'm determined to protect these natural resources for the next generation to enjoy. These grants will preserve hundreds of acres of open space in my district, and I'm grateful to Governor Lamont for his support of this initiative."

The following projects will receive funding through the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grants:

• Ridgefield will receive $42,000 to support the Ridgefield Conservation Commission's acquisition of 13.8 acres of land. The purchase will connect a three-acre parcel of town-owned space to the 386-acre Hemlock Hills open space preserve in the Bear Mountain open space area. Mostly wooded, the property will include public access through a proposed trail ascending and running along the northern peak of Bear Mountain, which gives views of Danbury and northern Fairfield County.
• Wilton's Aspetuck Land Trust will receive $157,500 to purchase 11.5 acres of land in the Fratelli Zeta acquisition, part of the Land Trust's project to create the 705-acre contiguous Weston/Wilton Forest Block. The forthcoming recreational trail system will connect to the Norwalk River Valley Trail at Wilton's Cannondale Station as well as Redding's Huntington State Park.

This press release was produced by CGA. The views expressed here are the author's own.