Mystic River Boathouse Park Update

This week we had a positive and productive meeting with representatives from the CT State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to walk the site of the future Stonington Community Rowing Center and public park. 

Earlier this year, the Town of Stonington- thanks to input from volunteers, elected officials, and Town staff- was able to secure a Brownfield remediation grant, which will enable us to create the long awaited public park and community rowing center along the Mystic River.

Since receiving news of the grant award, the Board of Selectman have been having joint meetings with the Mystic River Boathouse Park Implementation Committee to work through the many actions required to make this vision a reality. 

One of the first steps, happened this week, with an on-site meeting with SHPO, the First Selectman, and a representative of both the MRBPIC and the Stonington Community Rowing Center, as well as their architect. This was an important step towards the eventual removing of the shed, relocation and rehabilitation of the historic 'Lovelace' house. 

We are extremely grateful for our partnership with the SCRC, who have committed to raising over $2 million to not only build the Boathouse, but also to rehabilitate the 'Lovelace' house. Thanks to this partnership the community will have a place where middle school, high school, adult, and adaptive rowers can enjoy this healthy activity all year long, 

Our next step for this project is to interview and then secure a firm (or firms) to work on the remediation of the grounds and creation of the park, which will include a new on-site parking area, a public access boat ramp and dock, living shoreline, and historic signage that will help visitors reconnect with the history of the site. As the SHPO representatives reminded us, there is tremendous value in connecting with history- in celebrating the achievements and examining the imperfections. 

This will be a long process, but we are very excited to be moving in the right direction to create this new public park, with increased water access within our community. You can read more about the SCRC and its work here. 

On a related note, we also secured a Brownfield assessment grant to start important work at the site of the former Stillmanville Mill, along the Pawcatuck River. We will do updates on both projects as we progress over the coming months!