Governor Ned Lamont has announced Bridgeport will receive $1 million in federal funds to help finance Sliver by the River, a three-acre public site in Downtown Bridgeport that sits on the Pequonnock River next to the Stratford Avenue Bridge and behind the Bridgeport Transportation Center.
The park will feature a kayak launch, fishing pier, playscape, shade pavilion, terraced lawn with seating, lighting, and native plantings.
From Governor Lamont:
Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced that the cities of Bridgeport, Bristol, and Stamford are being awarded more than $9.8 million in competitive federal funding that will benefit four municipal park development projects in each city.
The funds are provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund – Outdoor Recreation legacy Partnership grants program (LWCF-ORLP), a nationally competitive program that provides matching grants to cities for park projects in underserved communities.
DEEP partnered with each of the municipalities to secure the awards. Partnerships between DEEP and municipalities to secure these awards have had a 100% success rate in 2023 and 2024, with two large-scale development projects being awarded funding in Bridgeport and Stamford in 2023 and two more approved in Bristol and Stamford in 2024.
“Great parks and safe outdoor places for our communities enhances the great quality of life we have here in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “I thank our Congressional delegation and federal agency partners for their efforts to secure this important funding for our state. This is a great example of federal, state, and local governments working together to accomplish big things for the residents of our state.”
Bridgeport is receiving $1,062,454 for its project called Sliver by the River that will transform a vacant lot into a three-acre riverside park. The park will feature a kayak launch, fishing pier, playscape, shade pavilion, terraced lawn with seating, lighting, and native plantings. This is the pilot project for Bridgeport’s initiative to create an interconnected series of waterfront parks and amenities along the 22 miles of riverfront area within the city. The city’s application was developed through a partnership with the City of Bridgeport and the Trust for Public Land, with initial input and technical support from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance group (RTCA).
“I would like to thank The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program for choosing Bridgeport as a beneficiary to a grant that will help us maximize our efforts to utilize our waterfront,” Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim said. “The Sliver by the River is symbolic of what it means to have true collaborative efforts come together to create spaces in our city that our residents can benefit from. As we work closely with local grassroots organizations such as the Trust for Public Land, our hope is that our state and federal partners will continue to maintain connections with other grassroots organizations while we all work side-by-side to provide Bridgeport residents with the amenities they deserve.”
“This is just what Bridgeport needs,” State Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport) said. “What a wonderful opportunity for our community. Not only will this park provide a space for future events that will bring people together, but it will create an environment to support a healthy ecosystem by improving the quality for local wildlife. I am beyond grateful for this funding that will help create a beautiful park for residents to enjoy for years to come.”
“Trust for Public Land is proud to support the Bridgeport Waterfront Pathway project, a vital link connecting the community to the outdoors and expanding equitable access to green spaces,” Walker Holmes, vice president for the Mid-Atlantic Region and Connecticut state director for Trust for Public Land, said. “With the support of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, we’re able to invest in projects that strengthen neighborhoods and transform spaces into a destination for recreation, relaxation, and outdoor learning – making cities like Bridgeport healthier, greener, and more connected.”
Good start……..with more people moving into downtown , a nice spot for them to enjoy!
A “new park” in the Park City? Land owned by the City but basically unused thought “downtown” receives funding and notice from Governor Lamont and Trust for Public Land but our local agency, Groundworks, located in the Arcade on Main Street, with a record of projects including youth and the environment was not mentioned once.
Fortunately the “sliver on the river” label introduced earlier this year by Groundworks activism, identifies them as the project manager. The website informs us that information is currently being collected from many sources as to development. A plan, once formulated and presented to the public, will likely have a timetable of development. What is the role of our Parks and Recreation Commission? Time will tell.