Thank you for ensuring River Access for All
With your support, we met our campaign goal!
Capital Campaign Success Leads to New Accessible Pier
Thanks to the generous and enthusiastic support of numerous community partners and individual donors, the Farmington Land Trust recently completed its River Access for All capital campaign, raising $275,000 for the construction of a new, 70-foot accessible boardwalk and viewing platform that will extend out over the Farmington River.
The new pier will be located on the Douglass-Mount parcel, which is just off the Rails to Trails in Unionville (there is easy access off the cul de sac on Railroad Ave.)
The pier will be named Polly’s Pier in honor of Polly Hincks, a long-time Farmington resident and lifelong advocate for the independence of people with physical disabilities.
We created the ideal fishing spot where the previous fishing spot used to be. It is located down the path from the soon-to-be-built pier. To beautify the space and protect the soil from erosion, the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) purchased and installed a riparian buffer consisting of 282 native trees and plants.
FRWA purchased and installed a riparian buffer of 282 plants with help from Campaign Chair Cate Grady-Benson
282 native plants have been installed to create a riparian buffer by the fishing area.
FRWA purchased and installed a riparian buffer of 282 plants with help from Campaign Chair Cate Grady-Benson
Access to the River for Everyone
Campaign chair Cate Grady-Benson said, “It has been a joy to work on this project, which from the outset, has received an outpouring of excitement and support from our community.”
Farmington Land Trust President Tim Smith agreed, saying, “Polly’s Pier belongs to all of us. It will be a place for connecting with nature and each other for generations to come. This project embodies FLT’s ethos that everyone deserves access to the beauty and benefits of nature—and we are thankful to every single person who donated and made it happen!” ​
Construction to Start in August
Construction is set to begin in mid-August and is anticipated to be completed before the Fall.
The Rails to Trails path will remain open throughout the construction with occasional closures to move equipment.
Updates on progress and the completion date will be posted to FLT’s Facebook and Instagram pages and sent via email to subscribers.
Heartfelt Thanks to Our Community Partners, Donors, and Campaign Committee ​
We are grateful to our community partners, stewardship donors, and many other generous community members for their vision and commitment to supporting this project, which will benefit the entire Farmington community.
Community Partners and Stewardship Donors
The Richard P. Garmany Fund, Farmington Community Chest, Ion Bank, Farmington River Watershed Association and the Lower Farmington and Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic organization, AARP, Sanford and Hawley, Dan and Sarah Hincks, The Cowles Family Foundation, The Perra Family Foundation, Stuart and Amy Smith, Kathy Wadsworth, and New Horizons. Special thanks to project manager Steve Nelson for all the ways in which he has supported this project from the beginning.
Campaign Committee
Honorary Chairs Lisa Johnson and Ted Lindquist, Committee Co-chairs Evan Cowles and Cate Grady-Benson, Abigail Boretto, Francie Brown Holmes, Sarah Burns, CJ Calcinari, Ron Goralski, Dan and Sarah Hincks, Carol Kirkwood, Patty LeBouthiller, Steve and Diane Nelson, Evan Parsons, Bill Wadsworth, Mary Lou Wadsworth, Meghan Naujoks and Kristin Flyntz.
