3 Greenwich Projects That Exist Because People Voted

Sometimes local elections can feel abstract with names, offices, and ballot lines that don’t always connect to our everyday lives. But here’s the truth: voting in Greenwich has shaped the parks we walk in, the buildings we gather in, and the infrastructure that keeps us safe.

Your vote doesn’t just count. It builds things.

Let’s take a look at three real Greenwich projects that exist because residents showed up, spoke up, and voted. Each one is a reminder that the most powerful change often starts at the local level.

1. The Eastern Greenwich Civic Center: A Community Rebuilt by Local Support

For decades, the original Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich was the heartbeat of community life, hosting basketball games, town meetings, dance recitals, and everything in between. But by the mid-2010s, the building was aging fast. Roof leaks, accessibility issues, and outdated facilities made it clear: the town needed something new.

That “something new” didn’t happen overnight. It took years of local planning, debate, and budget votes by the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and the Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET). When residents voted for town leaders who prioritized community spaces and recreation, they made it possible for this project to move forward.

In 2023, the new Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center opened its doors, a 35,000-square-foot, fully modernized hub for recreation, wellness, and connection. It now hosts fitness classes, basketball leagues, community events, and youth programs year-round.

Every step of the way, from funding approvals to design priorities, came down to decisions made by locally elected officials who reflected what residents wanted.

👉 Why it matters: The new civic center isn’t just a building; it’s a living example of what happens when Greenwich voters choose leaders committed to investing in the town’s quality of life.

2. Flood Prevention & Infrastructure Upgrades: Protecting Our Neighborhoods

If you’ve lived in Greenwich for any length of time, you know that heavy rain can mean flooded roads and basements, especially in areas like Pemberwick, Byram, and Riverside. In recent years, several severe storms have tested the town’s aging infrastructure, prompting urgent conversations about stormwater management, drainage systems, and coastal resilience.

Enter your local government.

Flood mitigation isn’t handled by one office. It’s a coordinated effort between the Department of Public Works, the BET, the RTM, and the Board of Selectmen. These boards decide which infrastructure projects get funded and when.

Because residents have consistently supported leaders who take climate resilience seriously, Greenwich has been able to:

• Upgrade culverts and drainage systems in vulnerable neighborhoods

• Strengthen riverbanks and improve retention basins

• Plan new stormwater infrastructure to prepare for future storms

These projects don’t make headlines, but they make a real difference when the next big storm hits. They protect homes, property values, and public safety.

👉 Why it matters: Your local vote determines how quickly and how strongly Greenwich adapts to climate challenges. Voting for leaders who prioritize resilience means investing in the town’s long-term safety.

3. Park & Playground Revitalizations: Keeping Greenwich Green and Active

When you walk through a park in Greenwich, whether it’s Binney Park’s walking paths, Byram Park’s waterfront, or the renovated Greenwich Common downtown, you’re experiencing the direct result of local advocacy and voter participation.

Park upgrades don’t happen automatically. They’re proposed by the Parks & Recreation Department, reviewed by the BET for funding, and approved by the RTM. Over the past few years, this process has delivered some major wins:

• Binney Park: Pathway improvements, landscaping, and accessibility upgrades to make it safer and more inviting.

• Byram Park: The addition of a pool complex and beach facilities that have transformed it into a true community destination.

• Greenwich Common: New playground equipment and open space improvements that turned an underused area into a central gathering spot downtown.

These upgrades were driven by local priorities. Residents asked for them, candidates campaigned on them, and elected boards voted to fund them.

Each swing set, walking path, and green space is a tangible reminder that local democracy builds real places.

👉 Why it matters: When you vote for leaders who value parks and recreation, you’re voting for cleaner air, happier families, and a healthier community.

The Common Thread

The civic center, flood projects, and park revitalizations may look different, but they all share one thing: they happened because people in Greenwich voted.

In each case:

• Local boards debated and approved budgets.

• Elected officials listened to residents’ input.

• Voters showed up to support leaders who reflected their priorities.

Your local ballot determines how, and if, these kinds of community projects get funded. And because voter turnout for local elections is often low, a small number of votes can make a huge difference.

Your Turn: What Will We Build Next?

As we look ahead, new projects are on the horizon, from improving pedestrian safety downtown, to expanding renewable energy initiatives, to addressing long-term school facility needs.

Each one will depend on decisions made by local boards like the BET, BOE, RTM, and Planning & Zoning. That means it depends on you.

When you register, research, and vote, you’re helping decide what the next chapter of Greenwich looks like and what kind of community future generations will inherit.

👉 Action step: Check your registration, learn about the candidates, and make your voting plan. Your ballot helps shape the parks, roads, schools, and safety nets we all rely on.

The next time you stroll through a park, attend an event at the new civic center, or drive on a flood-safe road after a storm, remember this: those improvements started with local votes and with residents who cared enough to show up.

The story of Greenwich is written by its voters, one ballot at a time.

Your vote. Your town. Your power.