Milford officials review Deep Creek park plan as residents voice safety, access and funding concerns

Milford parks officials presented a review of the proposed Deep Creek Park on city-owned land and outlined construction cost estimates, grant money already awarded and constraints attached to those grants.

The presentation and public comments made clear why the debate matters: the city has spent public funds to buy and design the site and state grants require the land’s use for public outdoor recreation. Parks and Recreation Director Brad Dennehy told the council he will carry out whatever the mayor and council decide.

Dennehy said the city purchased 19.4 acres of vacant farmland in 2021 for $555,000, funded mostly from general fund reserves. Since then the city has won multiple state grants for design and construction, including an initial $60,000 ORPT (Outdoor Recreation Parks and Trails) grant toward the purchase; $250,000 and $200,000 from successive Community Reinvestment Fund (state bond bill) rounds; a $62,500 ORPT award in 2023; a $200,000 Community Transportation Fund award; and an additional $125,000 ORPT award now pending. Dennehy said the city has received about $837,500 in state funds tied to the project and that some awards carry multi‑year deadlines — money awarded in 2023…