If you tried to visit your favorite state park on a sunny day this spring, you may have been disappointed to find a closed sign blocking the entrance. State parks have reduced parking in order to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Meanwhile demand for outdoor recreation has skyrocketed as people look outside for healthy recreation and entertainment activities. This combination of reduced parking and increased demand has caused many parks to close on the weekends, often early in the day. This leaves many Connecticut residents trying to find an open trailhead or parking area. For many this can be disappointing, especially if they drove a substantial distance to reach a park only to find it closed upon arrival.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently launched a website - What's Open Outdoors, which tracks park closures in real time. They have also been updating park closures on their Twitter feed - @CTStateParks. DEEP would like to provide alternative recreation options for people turned away by park closures. As a result they have offered to promote local businesses or other parks that have capacity to get people outdoors even when state parks are full.
In order for your business or park to act as an overflow destination the following conditions should apply.
Your business or non-profit provides an outdoor recreation service (tour, fishing charter, hike, rental, land trust, etc.)
You can accept walk-in traffic during times that state parks are closed (weekends and ideal weather days).
You are located near a state park that frequently closes due to full capacity.
If these conditions apply to you, please sign up to be included in this program. (If you are not yet a member of the Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Alliance (CORA), please join CORA first - its free!)
Do you know a local business that could benefit from increased promotion? If so, please pass this message on. Let's work together to support local outdoor businesses affected by COVID-19!
Sign Up to be Included in CT State Parks Promotion Opportunity