Politics & Government

State Gives Town 8 Acres, Bringing Constitution Park To 50 Acres



State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda and State Sen. Ed Meyer have announced that the state has finally agreed to convey eight acres of property adjacent to Constitution Park to Madison.

At a press conference Monday with First Selectman Fillmore McPherson, other town officials, and several volunteers who have worked hard on the park, Kokoruda and Meyer discussed the addition to town's newest park, Constitution Park. The land conveyance bill passed by the legislature under the leadership of Meyer and Kokoruda means Constitution Park, adjacent to Hammonasset Beach State Park, will now be 50 acres.

Kokoruda thanked DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty for his help. "The town made a significant investment in open space a couple of years ago and it's great to see the state recognize that investment."

Meyer said he has been working to preserve the land at the former Griswold Airport for almost ten years now. "And now we will be able to enhance that remarkable property and park," he said.

Both Kokoruda and Meyer said they had to battle back a few rumors while working with their fellow legislators to pass the bill. One rumor was that the land was to be used to build another senior center. Another rumor was that the bill was passed in the middle of the night.

Both legislators said the land would be designated for park use only. As for the middle of the night, Kokoruda said it was passed around 9:30 pm and that working that late is all in a day's work at the state Capitol.


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