Sen. Gordon Applauds $85,993 State Grant for Chaplin Open Space Project

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock) today welcomed the announcement that the Town of Chaplin will receive $85,993 in state funding for the Helen Garrison Open Space Project.

The funding was awarded through the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) 2026 Connecticut Recreational Trails Grant Program. The grant will support planning and design, construction, maintenance, amenities, and outreach associated with the Helen Garrison Open Space Project.

“This is great news for Chaplin,” Sen. Gordon said. “The Helen Garrison Open Space Project is an investment in the natural beauty and quality of life that make our small towns such special places to live. This funding will help Chaplin improve outdoor recreational opportunities while preserving and enhancing an important community resource.”

The Chaplin grant is one of 50 projects receiving approximately $10.5 million statewide through the Recreational Trails Grant Program. The program supports projects that expand and improve public access to Connecticut’s trail network, including new trail construction, rehabilitation, accessibility improvements, planning and design, amenities, and long-term maintenance.

“People in our part of Connecticut value our open spaces and opportunities to get outside and enjoy them,” Gordon said. “I am pleased to see state resources coming back to Chaplin for a project that can directly benefit the community. I congratulate the Town of Chaplin and everyone who worked to move this project forward.”

The funding for the 2026 Recreational Trails Grant Program was previously allocated by the State Bond Commission, with grant recipients selected through a competitive review process conducted by DEEP in partnership with the Connecticut Greenways Council.

“I will continue working to make sure our small towns in Northeast Connecticut have a strong voice and receive their fair share of state resources,” Gordon said.