Noujaim Obtains Bond Funds For Fairlawn Park
Legislator Instrumental In Securing Grant For Park In Waterbury’s East End

HARTFORD- State Representative Selim Noujaim (R-Waterbury) today expressed delight that the State Bond Commission voted to approve a grant for $150,000 for improvements to Fairlawn Park in Waterbury’s East End. The grant-in-aid was approved a t the Bond Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting this morning in the Legislative Office Building.

Representative Noujaim has been pursuing the grant for several months, and wrote to Office of Policy and management Secretary Marc S. Ryan in March of this year requesting the funds to revitalize the Park, which has been neglected for several years. “This park is traditionally a residential park where families have brought their young children to play,” wrote Representative Noujaim. “But, due to lack of improvements, this once beautiful playground is now deserted.”

In researching available funding for the revitalization of Fairlawn Park, Representative Noujaim discovered that $72,000 had been encumbered since 1998. He then called a meeting with city officials to map out a strategy for the reconstruction, and it was determined that the $72,000 would not be sufficient to complete the work, and that an additional $150,000 would be needed.

Plans for the use of the new funds for Fairlawn Park include a new basketball court, reconstruction of the playscape, perimeter chain link fencing with a gate, tree and shrub plantings, an internal park walkway, a water fountain, benches and trash receptacles, and reseeding of the open play area.

“I am delighted that we were able to get this funding approved,” said Representative Noujaim. “I am deeply grateful to the Governor and the Office of Policy and Management as well for recognizing the need to revitalize this park. The residents of the East End will soon be able to once again enjoy this beautiful park when it is restored.”