Milford council adopts state grant agreement for Deep Creek Branch park amid resident opposition

Milford City Council on June 9 adopted a resolution authorizing the city to accept state Open Recreation and Parks Trust (ORPT) grant funds for the proposed Deep Creek Branch Park and directed the mayor to sign the grant contract required by the state.

The vote allows the city to secure a reimbursable grant to help pay for planning and construction of a multiuse park at the Deep Creek Branch site. Brad Dennehy, Milford’s parks and recreation director, told council the grant requires language ensuring the land remain open space while the state contract is in effect and that the award is reimbursable, meaning the city must approve specific spending before receiving state reimbursement.

The measure matters because accepting the grant creates a formal contract window to secure the state funds; Dennehy said refusal would require the city to cover the project costs from general‑fund reserves. Opponents at the meeting urged council to delay or reconsider given other budget priorities and the park’s location outside the city’s urban core.

“Please, I would urge you guys to not do this,” resident Julie Morris said. “The citizens...want safety, economy, utilities. Those are the priorities.” Morris also questioned elements of the draft park program, including amenities she said were no longer budgeted. Kim Wills, speaking by phone from Sunset Lane, said the project would “start a ball you can't unroll” and questioned placing a major park outside town limits. Trish Marvel said the city should fully quantify total costs and long‑term financial commitments before accepting the grant.

Council members who supported the resolution emphasized procedural and fiscal limits: Mark (city manager) and Dennehy explained the grant is a reimbursable award and that securing the contract preserves the city’s option to use state funds in the future; it does not obligate immediate spending. Council discussion noted the project will proceed in phases and that specific expenditures will return to council for approval as part of the capital budget and project contracts.

The council adopted Resolution No. 2025‑08. The minutes show the motion passed after a second; council did not record a roll‑call tally in the public proceedings.

Supporters said the grant enables the city to leverage outside funding for recreational space; critics said the city’s immediate priorities are employee compensation, public safety and maintenance of existing facilities. The council did not schedule further public hearings on the grant contract at the June 9 meeting.

The city manager and parks staff said they will provide additional project budget detail and phasing information to council and the public as design and cost estimates are prepared under the grant contract.