New Canaan Receives State Grant For Playground Improvements

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan is receiving $300,000 from the state to go toward improvements to Waveny Park's playground, Governor Ned Lamont announced Wednesday.

The grant will be matched by $325,000 from the town, as well as $150,000 from the Friends of Waveny Playground.

According to a news release provided by Lamont's office, the grant is one of more than 40 going to small towns throughout the state "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."

A total of $30 million has been earmarked for the grants. Towns had to apply by Feb. 20 to be considered for the funds.

"Our small towns are an important part of what makes Connecticut such a special place to live and work," Lamont said in a news release. "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."

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

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.

Funding to support the grants was recently approved by the State Bond Commission, of which Lamont is the chair.