Why Brooksvale? Why Now?
The Brooksvale Park expansion was unanimously passed by the Hamden Legislative Council on June 15. Here's why we supported this once-in-a-lifetime open space opportunity and why we raised $60,000 to help the Town with the purchase and remediation of the property.
It’s Hamden’s turn to take advantage of State OSWA funds being offered to complete this Open Space preservation opportunity. The town needs to provide 1/3 of the cost or it will lose the State money. Town funds have been allocated and are available. At a time when more people that ever are getting out into nature to exercise and relieve stress, it's especially important to take advantage of the State funds being offered.
Recreation
- Adding the property to this popular park will increase the opportunity for hikes, nature activities, and recreation. Studies show that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior, helping reduce anxiety and stress, and boosting attention span, creativity, and the ability to connect with others. Data shows that families from all across town enjoy the Park. The benefits of open space are there for all to enjoy--regardless of race, income level or ability level.
Clean water
The property provides important groundwater resources, includes a pristine stream, and lies in Aquifer Protection Zone A, with drainage to nearby Willow, Hickory and Jepp Brooks, tributaries to the Mill River.
The property provides important groundwater resources, includes a pristine stream, and lies in Aquifer Protection Zone A, with drainage to nearby Willow, Hickory and Jepp Brooks, tributaries to the Mill River.
Plants and Wildlife
- Adding this tract to the park will connect vital wildlife corridors, allowing flow for plant and animal species, which is ecologically important in an increasingly urban world characterized by habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species proliferation. To survive, plants and animals need, not pockets of open space, but corridors. Brooksvale Park connects to the Mount Sanford Block of the Naugatuck State Forest, which encompasses a total area of more than 4,000 acres.
Town and State Conservation Plans
- Adding this open space to Town holdings aligns with two important planning documents. It is in keeping with the Hamden Plan of Conservation and Development in the “Upper Whitney Conservation District” with its focus on continued natural resource protection for this northern gateway to town. It also aligns with the CT DEEP “Green Plan” by providing significant acreage toward the Green Plan goal of protected open space statewide by 2023.
Once It's Gone, It's Gone Forever
At the federal level, the current proposed federal budget will eliminate or virtually eliminate funding for a host of environmental programs and departments: the Land and Water Conservation Fund that promotes land conservation in Connecticut and around the country; the U.S. Forest Service; the Heritage Partnership Program that saves important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources; the National Wildlife Refuge Fund; and the Conservation Stewardship Program, as well as cut funding for federal land acquisition for the Interior and Agriculture departments by 92 percent.
At the same time, right here at home, we have the opportunity to enlarge our popular Brooksvale Park with a significant open space acquisition. Once open space is gone, it’s gone forever, which is why we supported this initiative.
At the federal level, the current proposed federal budget will eliminate or virtually eliminate funding for a host of environmental programs and departments: the Land and Water Conservation Fund that promotes land conservation in Connecticut and around the country; the U.S. Forest Service; the Heritage Partnership Program that saves important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources; the National Wildlife Refuge Fund; and the Conservation Stewardship Program, as well as cut funding for federal land acquisition for the Interior and Agriculture departments by 92 percent.
At the same time, right here at home, we have the opportunity to enlarge our popular Brooksvale Park with a significant open space acquisition. Once open space is gone, it’s gone forever, which is why we supported this initiative.