Connecticut STATEWIDE COMPREHEN S I V E O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N P LAN 2011 - 2016 CONNE C TI C U T D EPARTMENT OF E N E R G Y & E NVIRONMENTAL P ROTE C TION The preparation of this plan was financed in part through a planning grant from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, under provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578, as amended). The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and service provider. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities who need this information in an alternative format to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency’s programs and services should call 860-424-3035 or e-mail the ADA Coordinator, at [email protected]. Persons who are hearing impaired should call the State of Connecticut relay number 711. Dannel P. Malloy, Governor State of Connecticut Daniel C. Esty, Commissioner Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Susan W. Frechette, Deputy Commissioner Environmental Conservation Branch Matthew R. Fritz, Chief Bureau of Outdoor Recreation September 2011 Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT 06106-5127 www.ct.gov/deep Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................................................i Acknowledgements Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ii List of Tables ........................................................................................................................................ v List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................... vi The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection wishes to thank all of the individuals who generously donated their time to participate on the The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan ................................................................... vii Advisory Board: Pamela Adams, Charles Beristain, William Boles, Claire Cain, Diane Ciano, Jay Cohen, Eileen Grant, Jeffrey Greig, Eric Hammerling, Alison Benefits of Outdoor Recreation........................................................................................................... ix Harle, Elaine LaBella, Robert Levine, Andrew May, Michael Ose, Amy Paterson, Raymond Rauth, Vincent Ringrose, Joanne Sciulli, Elanah Sherman, Jerry PART I: Connecticut ..................................................................................................................... 1 Shinners, Ryan Tucker, Karl Wagener, Grant Westerson, and Georgette Yaindl. Section 1: State Overview .................................................................................................................. 2 Geography ........................................................................................................................................... 2 The editor wishes to thank the many employees of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Administrative Services, and Climate ................................................................................................................................................ 5 the Office of Policy and Management for their contributions to this plan: Peter Aarrestad, John Annino, George Babey, Beth Brothers, Cyndy Chanaca, John Demographics ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Cimochowski, Rob Clapper, Mark Clavette, Naomi Davidson, Timothy Delgado, Jenny Dickson, Wendy Flynn, Bill Foreman, Susan Frechette, Matt Fritz, Ecological and Developmental History ................................................................................................ 9 Caryn Furbush, Bill Gerrish, Laurie Giannotti, Jacquelyn Gorman, Michael Guimond, Helene Hochholzer, Penny Howell, Bill Hyatt, Rick Jacobson, Diane The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ................................................................ 11 Joy, David Kozak, Al Levere, Eleanor Mariani, Chris Martin, Randy Michaelson, Mary Morgillo, Dan Morley, Tom Nosal, Maryann Nusom-Haverstock, Kyle Agency Structure ............................................................................................................................ 11 Overturf, Mark Paquette, Mike Payton, Deidre Persson, Edith Pestana, Tony Petrillo, Fred Riese, Nina Ritson, Denise Ruzicka, Dennis Schain, Dave Simpson, The Lean Program .......................................................................................................................... 11 Outdoor Recreation in Connecticut................................................................................................... 12 Sally Snyder, Matt Starr, Howie Sternberg, Graham Stevens, Dave Stygar, Rachael Sunny, John Traynor, Tom Tyler, Kevin Winn, Darcy Winther, and Karen Zyko. Section 2: Plan Methodology ........................................................................................................... 14 Methodology Review of the 2005 - 2010 Plan ................................................................................... 14 Special thanks to Kate Bruzinski, first as the project intern, then as the full-time project assistant. Advisory Board ............................................................................................................................... 14 Assessment of Supply ...................................................................................................................... 16 Photographs contributed by: Kate Bruzinski, Barrie Collins, Caryn Furbush, Paul Fusco, Philip Keyes, Joshua Rimany, Nina Ritson, and Jordan Scerbo Assessment of Demand ................................................................................................................... 16 Methodology for the 2011 - 2016 Plan .............................................................................................. 17 Edited by Douglas Jann, Division of State Parks and Public Outreach Agency Review ............................................................................................................................... 17 Graphic design by Nina Ritson, Department of Administrative Services Advisory Board ............................................................................................................................... 17 Press Release ................................................................................................................................... 17 Public Meetings .............................................................................................................................. 17 Webpage ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Questionnaire ................................................................................................................................. 20 Municipality Query ........................................................................................................................ 21 Section 3: Assessment of Demand ...................................................................................................... 22 Review of Demand Assessment in 2005 ............................................................................................. 22 Demand Assessment Techniques in 2011 ........................................................................................... 24 Section 4: Assessment of Supply .......................................................................................................... 28 Outdoor Recreation Resource Managers in Connecticut .................................................................... 28 Review of Supply Assessment in 2005 ................................................................................................ 30 Resource Inventory Methodology ................................................................................................. 30 i T he S tatewide C omprehensive O U tdoor R ecreation P lan T he S tatewide C omprehensive O U tdoor R ecreation P lan i i Communicating Resource Supply to the Public ............................................................................ 30 Goal 4: Maximize public access to outdoor recreation resources. .......................................... 68 Resource Ownership and Management ......................................................................................... 31 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 68 Distribution of Resources Among the Five Connecticuts .............................................................. 31 Priority Topics ................................................................................................................................... 68 Supply Assessment in 2011 ................................................................................................................ 32 Safe and Clean Facilities. ..............................................................................................................