Farmington Delegation Welcomes $1M for Tunxis Mead

FARMINGTON, CT – Today, State Senators Derek Slap and Rick Lopes and State Representative Mike Demicco welcomed $1 million in state funds for improvements to the Tunxis Mead park facilities.

Governor Ned Lamont announced today that he’s releasing $30 million in state grants to 46 small towns in Connecticut that will be used to complete a wide variety of infrastructure improvements, such as road safety reconstruction projects, emergency management upgrades, sidewalk and pedestrian safety enhancements, educational and recreational facility upgrades, and other capital improvement projects.

Farmington has been awarded a $1 million grant which will be matched by $502,000 from the town.

“This grant is a great example of leveraging state and town dollars to build out critical local infrastructure that betters the lives of our residents,” said Sen. Slap. “Tunxis Mead is a fantastic resource that allows people of all ages to get outside and stay active. This funding will make some important updates to the complex and I’m grateful to town leadership for their vision and to Governor Lamont for continuing to be a strong partner to municipalities across the state.”

“The $1 million in state funding, combined with the town’s commitment, will play a crucial role in advancing the Tunxis Mead Improvement Plan. This investment isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about building a safer, more connected, and vibrant community where families can thrive and businesses can grow. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will bring to our town,” said Sen. Lopes.

“Tunxis Mead is Farmington’s crown jewel for individual residents and families to enjoy outdoor and passive recreation,” Rep. Demicco said. “The $1 million STEAP grant and $500,000 matching town funds will go a long way to enhancing the park’s infrastructure, including the installation of new LED lights, safety netting and poles for the baseball and softball fields and resurfacing the basketball courts. I’m thrilled the town received this grant for residents and visitors to continue to use the park for years to come.”

The grants are being provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

In addition to the grants from the state, each municipality is also contributing funds, bringing the total spent on the 48 projects to $43.4 million in a combination of state, local, and other funding sources.