State Parks to Receive Infrastructure Upgrades and Repairs

By Michelle Rappaport

November 12 @ 11:00 am

New improvements will soon be made across the Connecticut State Parks System through a $30 million allocation by the State Bond Commission, which included $3 million to make repairs at three state parks damaged by severe flooding on Aug. 18.

The funding will support the Restore CT State Parks Initiative, which aims to take care of outstanding repairs that are needed across the state’s 110 parks and 32 forests.

Part of this $30 million investment will help fix damage done at Larkin Trail State Park in Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Southbury; Kettletown State Park in Southbury; and Southford Falls State Park in Southbury where serious flooding took place in August. The funding will help stabilize affected areas to prevent future damage and address critical public safety concerns.

In a press release announcing the funding, Gov. Ned Lamont said state parks were a big part of Connecticut’s quality of life.

“These destinations are also well-loved, welcoming an estimated 17 million visitors annually – that’s more than four times the population of Connecticut,” Lamont said. “We’re restoring our parks to ensure that residents and visitors now and into the future can have a wonderful outdoor recreation experience in Connecticut.”

Under the Restore CT State Parks initiative, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has worked to advance projects across the state to improve ADA access, repair historic and cultural infrastructure, such as Gillette Castle, Fort Trumbull, and Heublein Tower; and other maintenance issues such as paving, bathhouse and utility repairs.

DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes thanked both the governor and the state legislature for their commitment to helping the agency address a backlog of repairs and refurbishments to Connecticut’s park system.

“From brand-new windows in the Heublein Tower, to terrace reconstruction at Gillette Castle, to a new boardwalk at Rocky Neck, and countless more projects, we’re delivering an improved parks experience for current and future visitors,” Dykes said.