Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) warned this morning that the three-day Independence Day weekend means that state parks with swimming areas may reach parking capacity early in the day.
“Connecticut’s park system is spectacular with 107 state parks and 32 state forests waiting for you to explore and enjoy,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee, in a statement. “With the 4th falling on a Friday, signaling the beginning of a long weekend, we expect our parks to be very busy. As you plan your holiday weekend and visits to state parks, plan ahead and anticipate some traffic and crowds especially if you plan to visit Connecticut’s shoreline parks with swimming areas. Go early, but before you head out the door check Twitter for parking news and learn about other nearby parks you may want to visit. Be prepared to choose another park if your first choice park is full, so that you won’t be disappointed on this important July 4 holiday. As we continue Connecticut State Parks Centennial, parks are increasingly popular and sometimes parking areas fill to capacity –a testament to what a great value our parks provide for us all.”
State parks that often close due to full parking capacity during summer weekends and holidays include Squantz Pond, New Fairfield; Rocky Neck, East Lyme; Pattaconk, Chester; Wadsworth Falls, Middlefield; Sleeping Giant, Hamden; Millers Pond, Durham; and Kent Falls, Kent.
But Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison has a large parking area and rarely closes.
Announcements of parks that are filled to capacity are made on Twitter and Facebook at the following addresses: Twitter
Twitter.com/CTDEPoutdoorrec – general information about the park system and outdoor recreation in CT including closures
Twitter.com/CTrockyneck – specific to Rocky Neck –Updates posted about activities at the park as well as parking conditions
Twitter.com/CThammonasset – specific to Hammonasset and activities for campers, folks looking to visit Meigs and general park conditions
Twitter.com/CTsherwoodislnd – specific to Sherwood Island and activities at the park including parking
http://www.facebook.com/CTStateParks –Information about Connecticut State Parks including upcoming events and activities.
A full list of state parks, their location and directions to them is available on CT DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep/stateparks