State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) and state Rep. Frank Smith (D-Milford) are celebrating a $1.5 million grant approved today on the July Bond Commission’s agenda that will help enhance Founder’s Walk and Wilcox Park. The funding will provide a grant-in-aid to Milford to redesign the roadway and parking lots at Wilcox Park and Founders Walk.
Founders’ Walk is a beautification project along the head of the harbor where Milford’s settlers landed in 1639. The walkway runs from the Hotchkiss Bridge up to Memorial Bridge on New Haven Avenue.
Maroney said he is thrilled his initial idea is now coming to fruition, which he began while a state representative by securing money and chairing the committee that oversaw the project.
“Milford has many great assets including our vibrant downtown and our beautiful harbor,” Maroney said. “This funding will expand upon Founders’ Walk and increase access to the harbor. It will make for safer parking behind the library, make it safer for pedestrians, and remove impermeable surfaces from near the harbor, which is better for the environment. This is a great win for our community. I want to thank the Connecticut Association of Realtors who gave us a grant that allowed us to create the master plan, as well as Representative Frank Smith who worked with me to secure the funding, and the governor for sharing our vision. This will allow greater enjoyment of the harbor for future generations.”
“I am most pleased to see funding approval for the Founder’s Walk/Wilcox Park project and congratulate Senator Maroney, the other members of the state delegation and local officials for their tireless work on this historic and significant addition to the downtown district,” Smith said.