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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM AWARDS $150,000 IN RI OPEN SPACE AND FEDERAL FUNDS TO BURRILLVILLE TO AQUIRE LAND TO CONNECT TWO VILLAGES The announcement was made by Joseph Dias, Acting Chief of DEM's Division of Planning and Development, on behalf of DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D., at an 11 a.m. event with state and local officials, including Burrillville Town Council President Nancy Binns and Councilman John Michael Karmozyn, at the Levy Elementary School on Main Street in Harrisville, near the site. The purchase of the 8.6 acre parcel, which runs between Mowry Road in Harrisville and East Street in Pascoag, is central to Burrillville's innovative, smart growth-based land use planning. The two village population centers are currently under substantial rehabilitation and are being redesigned with walkability as a high priority. The purchase will enable people to walk to and from each village center along a 6,200 foot-long path. The town anticipates a 12-foot wide paved path, with a buffer of trees on either side. The acquisition will also allow people to explore undeveloped open space around Duck Pond, south of the property, according to town officials. Director Sullivan, who was unable to attend the event as planned, said, "A region-wide build-out analysis of the Blackstone Valley in 2001 showed that community leaders on both sides of the state line must refocus their efforts and devise land acquisition, water protection and other strategies to protect our environment while preserving the Valley's economic success. "Burrillville has taken a number of steps to identify and protect its character-defining features. Restoration and revitalization of its villages is taking development pressure off farms and forests, capitalizing on its public investment in infrastraucture, and strengthening its local tax base," he added. "Improving walkability within and between two population centers is a critical component of the town's smart growth planning, and I am pleased that the Department of Environmental Management can help that happen through the award of this grant." Burrillville Town Council President, Nancy Binns, said, "The acquisition of this key property by the Town of Burrillville represents the opportunity to link two of the Town's major village centers with a pedestrian/passive recreation greenway. It affirms our ongoing commitment to a smart-growth comprehensive development plan and rehabilitation of village centers. Regulating growth and preserving green spaces are two major components of any town's continued vitality. We are pleased to work with DEM in this ongoing project to protect green space for the enjoyment of all town residents." The grant, which includes $75,000 in state open space bond funds and $75,000 in federal Land and Water Conservation funds, provides a 50 percent match for the purchase of the property. The former railroad bed is currently owned by Bruce and David Barnes of Barnes Concrete Co., Inc. of Putnam, CT. Under the Barnes' purchase agreement with the town, the Barnes will be allowed limited gravel removal in accordance with re-construction of an existing trail that heads southerly to Duck Pond. According to town officials, regrading of that trail by lowering it 15 feet will make it more accessible for pedestrians wishing to walk to and explore Duck Pond. -30- |
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