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Stamford resident Barbara Miller enjoys seeing the beauty of city-raised nature after it has been cultivated and designed into an urban respite for public use.
"I've had opportunities with my garden club to travel to other major cities and see their river projects," said Miller, a member of the Stamford Garden Club. And because she's seen public parks flourish elsewhere, Miller is certain the same can happen in Stamford. She's one of the dedicated contributors that the city's Mill River Collaborative depends on to help fund its Mill River Park & Greenway.
The project includes a children's playground, hundreds of trees and shrubs, an event building and a canopied walkway. Organizers say it will be a regional attraction, similar to New York's Central Park. "It's a wonderful opportunity for the city," said Miller.
Mark Evens became a project supporter after his recent move to Stamford. He likes the idea that the park would "bring families together."
Now in the preparation and planning stages, the project has taken steps toward what Executive Director Milton Puryear hopes will be a spring groundbreaking. Water is flowing in the once-clogged river, a thriving habitat now characterizes the area and a stormwater intake system was designed, among other improvements.
The collaborative's capital campaign goal is $20 million. It has secured $3.5 million in funding so far. One supporter is the Fairfield County Community Foundation, which has provided grant money. "We are confident that the collaborative will reach its fundraising goal," said Karen Brown, the foundation's vice president of programs. The organization featured the Mill River project in its annual report.
"We hope that by profiling it in our annual report that we can generate some interest in this project," Brown said.
Are you excited about the Mill River Park & Greenway? What will be its best feature?
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