Get your racquets and sneakers ready, because Easton will be building a new pickleball court and resurfacing the tennis court at Helen Keller Park thanks to a Connecticut Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant.
The state grant will give Easton $244,000 toward the project with the town contributing an additional $61,000 in local funds.
“This has been an ongoing project that was previously approved by our board of finance,” said First Selectman David Bindelglass.
The town was already setting aside money for the project from the fees that Easton Parks & Recreation had collected from its various programs, when they learned about the grant and applied.
Bindelglass said the money set aside is enough to cover the $61,000 that the town will commit to the project. Bindelglass congratulated the town’s Land Use Consultant Justin Giorlando and Park & Recreation Director Danielle Alves who worked on the application.
Easton was one of 77 Connecticut towns chosen to receive funding through a $31.3 million state grant program which aims to fund various capital improvement projects in small towns across the state that Gov. Ned Lamont announced earlier this month.
The towns of Redding and Weston were also awarded grant funds for the installation of a walking and fitness path, and the renovation of the Weston Police Department, respectively.
“I am thrilled to announce grants have been awarded to Easton, Redding and Weston through the Small-Town Economic Assistance Program, which funds economic development, community conservation and quality-of-life capital projects for small towns,” State Rep. Anne Hughes stated in a press release. The 135th District which she represents includes Easton, Redding and Weston.
The specific location for the pickleball court has yet to be finalized and the project has not yet gone out to contractors for bids.
