CONNECTICUT, USA — Connecticut is investing $30 million for infrastructure improvements at its State Parks, according to a spokesperson from the Office of Gov. Ned Lamont Tuesday.
The State Bond Commission voted to approve the allocation of funds for "repairs and refurbishment needed across the Connecticut State Parks system" in a meeting Monday morning.
The funding will support the Restore CT State Parks Initiative, which the spokesperson said is an initiative by Lamont and the state legislature to address needed repairs in 110 state parks and 32 state forests across Connecticut.
A full list of state park projects that are planned, in progress or completed can be found here. The state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is working on improvements such as "historical and cultural repairs" to Gillette Castle, Fort Trumbull and Heublein Tower, as well as "critical maintenance" that includes "paving and bathhouse and utility repairs."
The investment includes $3 million for state parks seriously damaged by the devastating flooding in southwestern Connecticut on Aug. 18, according to the spokesperson. The funding will provide support for urgent repairs, help to prevent future damage and address "critical public safety concerns."
Those parks include Larkin State Park Trail in Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Southbury; Kettletown State Park in Southbury; Southford Falls State Park in Southbury; and other outdoor recreational places in the area.
The state has committed more than $70 million since 2022 through the American Rescue Plan Act and state bond funds to support Connecticut's state parks, the spokesperson said.
“Our state parks and forests are a big part of our incredible quality of life in Connecticut,” Lamont said. “These destinations are also well-loved, welcoming an estimated 17 million visitors annually – that’s more than four times the population of Connecticut. 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.”
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said the state has "made significant progress addressing our backlog of repairs and refurbishment, completing dozens of projects with many more projects in process."
“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.
Sean Humphrey is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at shumphrey@fox61.com
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