As Connecticut state parks see a boom in tourism, officials are seeking to offer more amenities and recreational opportunities to capitalize on the increased outdoor enthusiasm.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is taking submissions from businesses, non-profits, and other stakeholders with ideas for potential partnerships with Connecticut state parks.
The agency said they are launching a “Request For Information” as a continuation of the success sparked by the first Partnerships in Parks RFI, released on Jan. 11, which partnered with private businesses and nonprofits to expand recreational services on or near state land.
The initial RFI resulted in canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals being offered at four new state parks in the state, officials said.
“By keeping the RFI intentionally broad and accepting ideas on a rolling basis, DEEP hopes to make it easy for respondents to submit innovative and creative ideas that align with the agency’s vision for vibrant, inclusive and sustainable public spaces,” according to a DEEP spokesperson.
Demand for outdoor recreation remains strong in Connecticut, DEEP said. The agency noted that state park visitation increased from just under 10 million visitors in 2019, to an estimated 15.5 million in 2024.
The increase in outdoor tourism highlights a larger trend of significant growth in the outdoor recreation economy. The most recent data released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy, already valued at $5.5 billion, grew by 9.2% in 2023, outpacing the national average of 9%.
“Connecticut’s state parks are the finest in the nation and offer countless opportunities to create lasting memories in the outdoors,” said DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes.
“Some of my favorite moments with my family have been spent exploring our state parks by kayak and canoe,” Dykes added. “Thanks to these new partnerships, it’s easier than ever for families to enjoy these experiences, with convenient on-site rentals available right in the parks. Easy access to outdoor recreation is one of the many reasons Connecticut is such a great place to live, and with this new RFI, we’re excited to explore more ways for people to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors.”
Connecticut has the second largest outdoor recreation economy in New England, according to DEEP.
It supports more than 49,000 jobs and has grow by 6.5% year over year. Since 2022, the state has committed $71 million in capital investments as part of the Restore CT State Parks initiative. The recently passed state budget provides an additional $70 million for Restore CT State Parks and $10 million for Connecticut Recreational Trails, according to a DEEP spokesperson.
The first RFI resulted in several new partnerships with state parks including the ParkConnect program that offers bus trips to four state parks in partnership with the No Child Left Inside program. Additionally, all-terrain wheelchairs can now be reserved at seven state park and forest locations, which help increase access to the outdoors.
“The continued growth of Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy signals that the public continues to seek new experiences, services and amenities at CT state parks,” said Jeff Shaw, DEEP senior advisor for outdoor industry and experiences.
“This standing RFI represents endless possibilities; and that’s exciting. We want to understand the types of partnerships that are possible from operators and align them with incredible experiences currently available in our state parks.”
As part of this effort, DEEP is also seeking input from the public. Park visitors are encouraged to share their perspectives on the kinds of services, amenities and recreational experiences they would like to see offered in Connecticut’s state parks by completing a public survey that can be found at portal.ct.gov/deep-parks-partnerships.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com.
