GOAL:
Provide a system of parks which are characteristic of Connecticut and address the leisure and recreational needs of its citizens.

OBJECTIVES:
Enhance, expand and protect public access and use of the State's historical, cultural, and natural resources consistent with the long term integrity of the resource.

STATUS & TRENDS:
The pressure of land development coupled with a population density of over 600 people per square mile is creating a deficiency in the proportion of lands dedicated to the retention of the natural landscape and available for recreational opportunities. T he land acquisition efforts of both the state and municipalities have not been able to keep pace with private sector residential and commercial development interests. Use levels at the more popular recreational sites have created overcrowded conditions, deterioration of the resource base and temporary closures of facilities because of capacity limitations. The deficiency is particularly acute at camping areas and water-based sites. There are significant undeveloped lands that are representative of the natural character of this State; however, availability and accessibility are restricted to the time frame remaining before private development precludes public acquisition and protection. Historic properties currently in public ownership have traditional ly received marginal recognition and protection. The management resources (present and future) of the State Parks Division must be improved, however, prior to embarking on a major acquisition program.

STRATEGIES:

1. Identify and prioritize future acquisition areas with significant outdoor recreation potential with particular emphasis on areas with the capability to support major water-based recreation facilities.
2. Expand the existing State program to acquire and develop areas with recreational potential of statewide and regional significance.
3. Encourage involvement with private sector organizations and interests for access and use of additional property dedicated to open-space/recreation purposes and multiple use concepts, institutionalize an "adopt-a-park program".
4. Provide for effective development and use of public lands with particular emphasis on protection of the uniqueness of the resource base.
5. Develop and implement management plans for individual State parks which provide diverse recreational opportunities consistent with maintaining the environmental integrity of the resource; include citizen involvement in the management plan process.
6. Restore and improve overused State parks and forest recreation areas.
7. Encourage through grants-in-aid an expanded municipal program to acquire and develop areas with recreation potential of local significance.
8. Provide State parks with adequate management resources in order to enhance and expand public usage.
9. Provide the State parks division with the resources needed to conduct environmental interpretation on a statewide basis, utilizing the State park system as "classroom and laboratory."
10. Appropriate legal mechanisms to ensure that State park lands remain as open space.