AN ACT CONCERNING THE PARK REPLACEMENT STATUTE.

SB 1498 requires Connecticut municipalities (towns, cities, or boroughs) to provide replacement land of equal value and size whenever they repurpose land originally acquired, purchased, or dedicated for parks, recreation, or open space - such as for highways - instead of using other available land. The bill mandates a new public hearing before any such repurposing, with specific notice requirements (two newspaper publications 10-15 days before the hearing) detailing the land being taken, reasons for the change, and the proposed replacement. This applies to all land previously designated for park or recreational use, including land funded by bonds issued for those purposes. The law aims to prevent municipalities from permanently losing public green space without equivalent replacement.