The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Busy 4th of July weekend expected at CT state parks
With popular state parks like Squantz Pond expected to be busy this Fourth of July weekend, officials are reminding residents to arrive to their destinations early and develop a backup plan in case their park of choice is full.
Across the state, parks will close when they reach capacity and new visitors will be turned away, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection warned on Friday. Some smaller parks reach capacity as early as 9 a.m. Visitors who park illegally outside of a park could be ticketed or have their car towed, DEEP said.
State and municipal leaders highlighted Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield, which often must close early to new visitors, especially on Fourth of July weekend, because its 250car parking lot fills up quickly. In years past, this has led to safety and other concerns due to illegal parking on side streets and long back-ups on narrow Route 39, as visitors try to walk
into the park.
Parking is not permitted on nearby streets, nor should visitors unload near Squantz, according to DEEP. Visitors
should follow posted traffic signage.
“New Fairfield welcomes all visitors to Squantz Pond State Park,” New Fairfield First Selectman
Patricia Del Monaco said in a statement. “We want everyone to have an enjoyable and safe experience while visiting New Fairfield, and ask that everyone observe posted ‘No Parking' signs once the Park has reached capacity.”
With 110 state parks, DEEP encouraged community members to visit a less frequented park, such as Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Silver Sands State Park in Milford and Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, where crowds are less likely.
“We know that Squantz Pond is an attractive day trip for many people inside and outside of Connecticut,” Colonel Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, said in a statement. “We encourage people to enjoy all state parks safely and consider other destinations within our state. We continue to work in collaboration with CT DEEP, the town of New Fairfield and other locations to develop strategies that allow everyone to visit and safely enjoy our natural resources.”
DEEP plans to post park closures on the CT State Parks Twitter account @CTStateParks, as well as the “What's Open Outdoors” page of the DEEP website.
“We want visitors to the State Parks and Boat Launches this holiday weekend and throughout the summer to have a safe and enjoyable time in the outdoors,” DEEP Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Mason Trumble said in a statement. “Planning ahead, arriving early, and having a back-up plan contribute to a fun, relaxing time outside, which is our hope for everyone who visits a state park. We encourage visitors to be safe and to exercise good judgment in whatever outdoor activities you engage in this and every weekend, and also remind visitors to carry out what you carry in with you, and ensure that any trash created during your visit is properly disposed of or carried out with you. The parks belong to all of us, and we all have a hand in keeping our parks beautiful for the next person to enjoy.”