New platform nears completion
Polly’s Pier in Farmington to be accessible for all ages and abilities
By Maria G O’Donnell
Staff Writer
In a Unionville neighborhood that features a housing community for people with physical disabilities, the Farmington Land Trust (FLT) installed an accessible fishing pier in 2001 just off the Rails to Trails path beside the Farmington River, located on the Douglass-Mount FLT parcel. But the river had its own “opinion” of the pier – its course kept ruining it. Flooding accelerated its destruction.
So, it was “repair, repair, repair,” explained Cate Grady-Benson, who is FTL’s Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign for the building of a new accessible pier. The “River Access for All” campaign raised $275,000 for the construction a new 70-foot boardwalk and viewing platform to extend over the Farmington River. Construction started on Aug. 20, and is scheduled to be completed by end of September. Grady-Benson said that SLR Engineering “helped with design work and plans for the pier we’re building now.” She added that the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) installed plants that would “build up the soil.”
Grady-Benson said the new fishing/viewing site will be named after the late Polly Hincks, a long-time resident of Farmington, mother of Dan Hincks and mother-in-law of Sarah Hincks of Burlington, who are lead donors of the campaign. Grady-Benson said, “Five years ago Sarah had worked with the FRWA and Lower Farmington River andSalmon Brook Wild & Scenic Committee. We opened the door to working with them.” She added that Sarah and her husband Dan were interested in a spot that would be accessible to the disabled community, particularly, nearby New Horizons Village.
Dan explained, “My mom, Polly, was instrumental in helping establish New Horizons Village in the 60s. My mom was an incredible advocate for people with disabilities.” Additionally, “Sarah and I are very interested in the land trusts in the area and conservation, particularly with the Farmington River.”
Dan’s own involvement with New Horizons since his youth and as a board of directors member for many years has him attuned to the community as well. “To have an access pier for everybody to enjoy no matter their walk of life is exciting.” And with the new site to be named Polly’s Pier, Dan said, “It’s a great tribute to her. We were delighted to assist with the funding and being involved with it. What’s really cool is it’s directly off the Rail Trail, completely level and accessible for everybody.”
Polly’s advocacy for the disabled has its roots in her own battle with polio. Dan explained that she was stricken with the disease when pregnant with his older sister and spent the last four months of her pregnancy in bed. She lost the muscles in her stomach and one leg, but “could walk the rest of her life with a brace,” he said, noting that she felt polio inspired her advocacy for the disabled as “almost a blessing she got it. It inspired her to do good for other people. Polly was a force of nature, for sure.” Thus, her involvement with New Horizons.
As for why FLT chose the current spot for Polly’s Pier, FLT Executive Director Kristin Flyntz stated, “The building committee and the engineers decided that particular siting would minimize tree clearing and provide the best views of the Farmington River. It remains on the Douglass Mount property. The date of acquisition of Douglass Mount was 1984, given by Virginia Douglass Mount, Ethylene Mount Dickinson and Harry Mount.” To get to the location, park in the Railroad Ave. cul de sac and follow the Rail Trail to the path leading to the river and pier site.
FLT board member and project manager Steve Nelson said that a 6-foot wide, 70-foot-long boardwalk will lead to a 16’x16’ platform, 10 feet from the river bank, and stand 12 feet above water level. Instead of pressure-treated wood, the boardwalk will be made of a durable plastic.
Regarding Ken Core Construction of Plainville, Nelson said, “It’s more than a project manager/general contractor relationship – they’re a partner with us. Their advice and experience are really helpful and appreciated. We look at them as one of our team members.”
Grady-Benson agreed that they “are such an amazing company to work with,” and added, “We also have a close relationship with Sanford and Hawley. They provided most of the construction materials for the pier and gave a large in-kind donation…They believe in the mission of the land trust and have been members for many years.”
She also expressed her gratitude to donors. “A lot of fundraising was required, and we had many generous donors – over 90. A lot are community members, at all levels.” She said that $275,000 was raised in six months, crediting the “phenomenal capital campaign committee,” and wanted to “give a shout-out to the committee honorary chairs, Lisa Johnson and Ted Lindquist.” Grady-Benson was also grateful for the AARP grant of $15,000 and Farmington Community Chest donation of $20,000. Dan Hincks said family friend Stuart Smith, “a second son to my mom, made a substantial donation in Polly’s honor; it was very generous.”
Flyntz added, “It’s a great example of how it takes a village to make a dream come true.”
After the group shared stories of the bobcat, bear and eagle sightings, Sarah Hincks said that seeing this wildlife “reflects how important the river is.” And when Grady-Benson spoke of a Farmington High student’s Capstone project creating a Farmington River informational kiosk for Polly’s Pier, Sarah said, “New people in the area may not understand the significance of the river. The kiosk will help provide information about how the watershed is so important, such an asset to the area.”
Grady-Benson noted that the all-access pier will be “a great spot for community connection.” Dan added, “It’s a natural destination and meeting place, so accessible, such a short stroll from Unionville Center.”
FLT also plans to hold nature programs for the community. They conducted a survey sent to New Horizons and the Farmington Senior Center to request educational needs for the new location, according to Grady-Benson, who said they’re “very interested in birding classes and anything that highlights nature around the river. People at the land trust will make it happen.”
“Conversations are underway,” Flyntz confirmed. “There’s a lot of excitement.”
According to Grady-Benson, “The genesis of doing this project [contains] the tenants of our mission: stewarding our properties, maintaining the land – keeping it as natural as possible – and giving access to the public. If they can’t experience nature, they won’t be able to protect it.”
This is why land donors, in general are always appreciated, because they’re concerned with “preserving open space forever,” said Grady-Benson. “That’s our mission.” VL
