File #: LM-2026-0130    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: In Committee
File created: 3/26/2026 In control: City Services and Environmental Policy
On agenda: Final action:
Title: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN AUTHORIZING THE NEW HAVEN PARKS DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $334,500 FROM THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO REVITALIZE THE BARNARD NATURE CENTER COMPLEX
Attachments: 1. 0 - Checklist - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 2. 1 - Cover Letter - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 3. 2 - Resolution - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 4. 3 - PNF - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 5. 4 - FIS - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 6. 5 - NOI - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 7. 6 - Grant Summary - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex, 8. 7 - Executive Summary - Parks DEEP UGCG Grant for Barnard Complex

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RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERS OF THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN AUTHORIZING THE NEW HAVEN PARKS DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $334,500 FROM THE CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO REVITALIZE THE BARNARD NATURE CENTER COMPLEX

 

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WHEREAS, the City of New Haven is home to over 2,200 acres of park land over 100 park sites, and the New Haven Parks Department is committed to ensuring our parks, playgrounds, and green spaces are welcoming, inclusive, and places for all park users to enjoy; and

 

WHEREAS, the area of West River Memorial Park totals 196 acres and an approximate 7,086 residents live within a 10-minute walk to the park; and

 

WHEREAS, the West River Memorial Park Renewal Team, in partnership with the New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation (NCAT), conducted a walking audit and found unsafe cross-park options were unsafe due to the high volume of traffic, chronic speeding, poor lighting, lack of sidewalks or accessible paths, and lack of crosswalks, pedestrian crossings and traffic signals at intersections to and from landmarks, such as the Barnard Nature Center section of the park; and

 

WHEREAS, Barnard Nature Center and the supporting area is currently utilized to host public canoeing events, community festivals, and environmental education workshops by New Haven Parks Outdoor Adventure Program and the Community Placemaking Engagement Network (CPEN), and has much potential to expand community engagement, if accessibility improvements are made.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED THAT the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven authorizes the Mayor to accept a grant award in the amount of up to $334,500 from the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection and to allow the Parks Department to use the funds to revitalize the Barnard Nature Center Complex, including creating safer cross-park options; and

 

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED THAT the Board of Alders authorizes the Mayor to sign any associated state agreements, agreements with contractors, and other documents, any of which may include indemnification provisions and which may have a term of longer than one year, that the Mayor deems desirable or necessary, including any subsequent amendments to agreements regarding the revitalization of the Barnard Nature Center Complex.