By Laura Bailey
HARTFORD — Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced that Bristol is receiving $1.93 million in competitive federal funding to support Rockwell Park renovations.
“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.”
The funds, provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grants program, are designed to enhance outdoor spaces in underserved communities. The LWCF-ORLP is a nationwide competitive program that offers matching grants to cities for park development projects.
The City of Bristol is set to receive $1.93 million to renovate Rockwell Park, which has not seen significant renovations in nearly 20 years. The 105-acre park, which is the centerpiece of Bristol’s park system, is in need of modernization as many of its facilities are costly to maintain and, in some cases, are near the point of being unusable.
The improvements planned for Rockwell Park include upgrades to the splash park, playgrounds, outdoor pool, and bathhouse. The funding will also go toward ADA improvements on existing trails and Fraser Field, the installation of new basketball court lighting, a new fitness track, and enhancements to the park’s 18-hole disc golf course. These changes will modernize the park, extend its hours of operation, and improve accessibility and visitor experiences for the city’s residents.
“On behalf of the Board of Park Commissioners and City of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services Department, we are incredibly pleased to have been selected for this grant,” Mayor Jeff Caggiano said. “These funds will be used to renovate the splash park, playground, pool bathhouse, disc golf course, basketball courts and accessible upgrades to the trail system and at Fraser Little League Field. Rockwell Park is a gem, and these funds will allow us to revitalize the park to provide for our residents and future generations of park users.”
In addition to Rockwell Park, Stamford and Bridgeport will also benefit from funding aimed at developing new parks and enhancing existing facilities. These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to revitalize Connecticut’s public spaces, making them more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for all residents.
“I am glad to see nearly $2 million coming to Bristol through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to make long overdue repairs and improvements to Rockwell Park,” U.S. Representative John Larson (CT-01) said. “This funding will modernize amenities, upgrade facilities, expand park hours, and improve access. I will continue to work with the entire Connecticut delegation and our partners at the state and local levels to secure investments like these that preserve access to outdoor spaces and offer new recreational opportunities for residents.”
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