Farmington Park's Makeover Gets Key State Funding

FARMINGTON, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday he is releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut, including Farmington, for various infrastructure work.

Those funds will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other kinds of capital improvement projects.

In Farmington, Lamont released $1 million in state funding for the Tunxis Mead Park improvement plan.

This will be matched by $502,000 from the town.

Located at 10 Tunxis Mead Road, Farmington, the park is home to a baseball field, two softball fields and several soccer fields, in addition to a skate park and basketball courts.

The grants are being provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.

“Our small towns are an important part of what makes Connecticut such a special place to live and work,” Lamont said. “By partnering with each town, we can help get these infrastructure projects completed so these towns can continue to thrive, remain competitive, attract businesses, and improve the quality of life for our residents.”

Towns seeking funding under this current round of STEAP grants were required to submit applications to the state by Feb. 20.

Farmington's legislative delegation celebrated the funding on Wednesday.

“This grant is a great example of leveraging state and town dollars to build out critical local infrastructure that betters the lives of our residents,” said state Sen. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford.

“Tunxis Mead is a fantastic resource that allows people of all ages to get outside and stay active. This funding will make some important updates to the complex and I’m grateful to town leadership for their vision and to Governor Lamont for continuing to be a strong partner to municipalities across the state.”

State Sen. Rick Lopes, D-New Britain, called the grant award good news for "Farmington's crown jewel."

"The $1 million in state funding, combined with the town’s commitment, will play a crucial role in advancing the Tunxis Mead Improvement Plan. This investment isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about building a safer, more connected, and vibrant community where families can thrive and businesses can grow. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will bring to our town,” said Lopes. “Tunxis Mead is Farmington’s crown jewel for individual residents and families to enjoy outdoor and passive recreation.”

State Rep. Mike Demicco, D-Farmington, agreed, adding the funding will pay for much-needed improvements at the park.

“The $1 million STEAP grant and $500,000 matching town funds will go a long way to enhancing the park’s infrastructure, including the installation of new LED lights, safety netting, and poles for the baseball and softball fields, and resurfacing the basketball courts. I’m thrilled the town received this grant for residents and visitors to continue to use the park for years to come.”

For more information on the STEAP grant awards, click on this link.