How often does a city the size of Stamford get the opportunity to create a major greenspace in the heart of its downtown?  This rare opportunity is what drives the members of the Mill River Collaborative to be the catalysts in creating and sustaining a world-class park in Stamford. Our city is in the midst of a major revitalization with new residential, retail, and commercial destinations in the works or on the map. What is lacking is the quiet oasis of a warm summer lawn; the energy and enjoyment of an outdoor winter ice rink; the urban trail to jog, rollerblade; bike, or just meander; the ability to take a lunch break and go fishing a block away. All of this and more make the Collaborative determined to achieve our goals. It’s not easy creating a public park these days. Governments cannot afford to do it alone, and building it is only the half of it. Maintaining a park, keeping it safe and comfortable and active are critical in making urban parks successful.

The Collaborative has gone to school on the best success models in the country and the dismal failures. What we’ve learned is that a collaboration of government, corporations, local businesses, community leaders, and the general public is essential to making something great happen. And when it does happen, a successful public park more than pays for itself in increased property values resulting in incremental tax revenue from improved properties, increased retail sales, and happier, more productive citizens.

Mill River Park will be the one place in Stamford where everyone has a stake. It will be everyone’s park, and the Collaborative needs everyone to feel a sense of ownership and pride in what we, together, will build. In every step of the process the Collaborative has reached out to the community for input and counsel. The Master Plan for the park emerged after extensive public presentations and talk sessions and has won nearly unanimous support. The City of Stamford has now entrusted Mill River Park & Greenway to the Collaborative’s care and nurturing, but we need the commitment of everyone in Stamford if we are to truly realize our vision of a world-class greenspace in the heart of Stamford. Our city deserves nothing less. Please join us in this amazing adventure.

Arthur Selkowitz
Chairman
Mill River Collaborative