Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is taking steps to reduce operating expenses at Connecticut state parks by using resources more efficiently and focusing on the days and times of greatest public use of park campgrounds, beaches, museums, and nature centers.
“Our plan is designed to reduce expenses while providing the highest quality outdoor recreation opportunities for the public and ensuring public safety,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “By carefully analyzing how and when the public uses our state park system we will achieve the savings we need while keeping much of what we offer at our 109 parks open and available to the public.”
“Through the efficiencies we have identified, this plan will eliminate about $1.8 million from the cost of operating the Connecticut state parks system and help our Agency achieve the overall savings required by the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “We will begin to roll out adjustments in our days and hours of operations and in services soon after July 4. We will also continue our analysis of park operations to identify the potential for more savings – and expect to take additional cost-cutting steps in the spring of 2017.”
The following adjustments at state parks will be put in place:
Campgrounds
Three campgrounds – with the lowest rates of utilization – will be closed soon after the July 4 holiday:
- Devils Hopyard, East Haddam
- Salt Rock, Baltic
- Greens Falls, Voluntown
All other state park and forest campgrounds will close after Labor Day – with the exception of the campgrounds at Hammonasset Beach and Rocky Neck State Parks, which will remain open through Columbus Day weekend.
Several of the campgrounds in the state park and forest system have traditionally remained open until the end of September – but the number of fall campers is small and can be accommodated at Hammonasset Beach and Rocky Neck.
DEEP will contact those with reservations at Devils Hopyard, Salt Rock or Greens Falls and offer them the opportunity to switch their reservations to another campground at no cost, or to receive a full refund.
State Park Beaches
All State Park beaches will remain open for the public to enjoy. There will be adjustments in the days, beaches, or areas of the beaches, staffed by lifeguards to focus on the days and locations with the largest number of beach goers.
- Shoreline Parks – Hammonasset, Rocky Neck, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands – lifeguards will be scheduled five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. These beaches have previously been guarded seven days a week. These beaches are least crowded on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Inland Parks – Black Rock, Burr Pond, Indian Well, and Squantz Pond Parks, will have lifeguard coverage between three and five days per week, including weekends – which are the busiest days at the parks. These beaches have previously been guarded seven days a week.
Connecticut State Parks Museums and Nature Centers
Days and operating hours for some state park museums and nature centers are being adjusted after the July 4 weekend to focus on the times when the most people visit these sites:
- Dinosaur State Park – The museum grounds and trails will be closed on Mondays. The museum there has been closed Mondays, but there has previously been access to the grounds on that day.
- Gillette Castle – Will be open Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day, when it will close for the year. It has previously been open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Columbus Day.
- Heublein Tower at Talcott Mountain State Park – Will remain open Thursday through Sunday until Labor Day. It is expected to move to a six-day a week schedule during peak fall foliage season. It has traditionally been open seven days a week in the fall.
- Putnam Memorial State Park – The Visitors Center will be open weekends only, when it draws the largest number of visitors. It has been open seven days per week.
Other museums and smaller nature centers may have slightly changed hours as well.
Connecticut State Parks Maintenance
There will also be reductions in the staffing for maintenance of our parks. At less-visited sites, the public will see less frequent lawn mowing and other maintenance work. The focus will be on maintenance and repairs that assure the health and safety of park visitors.
Additional Changes Expected
Commissioner Klee said, “As we move into the second part of the fiscal year, and next spring, there will likely be additional adjustments. In making these decisions, our focus will remain on serving the greatest number of people and protecting public safety.”