Farmington Land Trust Hooks Big Catch: Funding for Accessible Pier
FARMINGTON, CT — The Farmington Land Trust has landed a catch worth reeling in—a $20,000 grant from the Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. This funding marks a significant milestone in efforts to make the scenic Farmington River more accessible, especially in the Unionville area, where a newly envisioned fishing pier is poised to become a community gem.
But don’t worry, as usual, we at The Farmington Mercury were last to this news—prioritizing thoughtful context over headline-chasing. It’s part of our ethos: we may be late to the party, but we’re the guests you want to talk to after everyone else has left.
This grant is set to fund the planning phase of the “Accessible Fishing Pier” project, which aims to bring safe fishing and pristine views to all, starting with removing the current dilapidated structure, restoring the riverbank, and adding a new, accessible viewing platform. The existing pier has been flooded more often than a suburban basement with a broken sump pump—rendering it unsafe and a sad excuse for public access.
“The existing fishing pier has fallen into disrepair due to the effects of flooding at the site,” shared Cate Grady-Benson, Farmington Land Trust executive director. “It is important to the Farmington Land Trust to create a safe access area for the community to enjoy the natural beauty of the wild and scenic-designated Farmington River in Unionville.”
While Grady-Benson may have had a more earnest tone, we get it. Flooding pier? Check. Riverbank restoration? Necessary. Grant? Hallelujah. With the Garmany Foundation’s help, this project might create the perfect balance between natural beauty and accessibility—something Farmington has always aimed for, with mixed results.
In partnership with the Lower Farmington River and Salmon Brook Wild & Scenic organization, the Farmington Land Trust has a detailed plan that involves removing the current wooden mess (let’s be honest, it’s an eyesore), restoring the riverbank, and crafting a new pier that’s accessible to anyone who wants to throw in a line or enjoy the scenery. For those not quite as river-inclined, it’s basically the civic equivalent of getting the new iPhone when your old one finally succumbs to planned obsolescence.
The future Douglas Mount Fishing Pier will be accessible from Railroad Avenue in Unionville or a parking area off River Road, ensuring that it remains a well-loved spot for fishing and nature observation in years to come. It’s nice to think that we’ll all still be meeting there someday—kids with fishing poles in hand, older folks on a bench with thermoses of something warm, all of us enjoying what makes Farmington feel like home.
And in case you’re wondering, this love for local spaces comes with a cost. If you’d like to contribute to the Farmington Land Trust’s mission of land conservation, they’re an email away at office@farmingtonlandtrust.org.
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Now, let’s not forget our trusty sponsor, without whom this deep dive into the Farmington landscape might just be slightly less cool (pun intended). A shoutout to Farmington Storage, located at 155 Scott Swamp Road, the only storage facility in Connecticut to boast “Museum Air.” While we at The Farmington Mercury are dedicated to keeping the community informed, Farmington Storage is dedicated to keeping your dusty heirlooms as fresh as a da Vinci in a climate-controlled Italian vault. Give them a call at 860.777.4001—whether you’re storing a collection of fishing rods or that regrettable wedding china set.
Author’s Note
Jack Beckett, perpetually under-caffeinated editor-in-chief, logging off to find another cup of life-affirming caffeine. When not scrutinizing zoning regulations or hunting down local fishing stories, you can find me on X, likely tweeting slow news hot takes in between sips of questionable gas station brew. Check out all the buzz on our site—whether it’s community insight, zoning debates, or local high school theater (Farmington High School). After all, in Farmington, there’s always a story worth telling, especially when we’re telling it… eventually.
Stay tuned and stay informed, Farmington. Last to break it but first to make you care.
