Under the initiative, known as the “partnership for parks,” Connecticut could see more of its state parks offering activities like disc golf, bicycle and boat rentals or glamping; refreshments at on-site cafes or concession stands; and event planning services for weddings and other gatherings.
“It’s a win-win,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “It’s great for boosting small business and other economic development opportunities in the state … It’s a win for DEEP because these are the kinds of extra services and amenities that we don’t have the bandwidth to provide … And most importantly, it’s a win for the public.
“That was the home run right there,” said Neil Johnson, store manager at REI Co-op in Milford and board member with the Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance. “But it’s really just the beginning. Now the hard work happens of [figuring out] what that role is able to collaborate on — and derive results around — for the benefit of the state of Connecticut and the outdoor recreation industry writ large.
Bruce Donald, a manager with the nonprofit East Coast Greenway Alliance, which works to develop the region’s network of trails, said one of the first things the outdoor industry office should address is the state’s relative lack of campsites. Click here to read the entire article.