Enjoy Connecticut’s many beautiful state parks at a discount

Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, CT offers views of Long Island Sound, nature trails, picnic tables, beautiful gardens and a tour of the historic mansion (for an additional fee).

The State offers a number of seasonal passes to Connecticut’s many and varied state parks for reasonable prices.

With the cost of gas up one day and down the next – usually up once the summer vacation season rolls around – a day at a state park can be an affordable day trip.

Some parks, such as Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, offer ocean views and many offer picnic and cookout sites.

Most have hiking trails that vary from relatively flat and easy, to steep and challenging, often leading to a summit with an inspiring view.

Some parks are great for bird-watching, and others allow fishing.

Some parks, such as Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam, also offer tours of historic and unusual estates.

Before bringing your four-legged family member along, check that a particular park allows dogs. If it does, your dog must be on a leash and you should bring drinking water and the necessary equipment for cleaning up after your dog.

Here is some information about discounted passes.

Season passes

For the frequent park visitor, Connecticut offers a season pass (a windshield sticker) that allows unlimited vehicle access to any state park or recreation area that has a parking fee, for no extra charge.

Season passes are valid for one vehicle per pass (non-transferable to any other vehicle) for an entire calendar year.

Season passes are not valid for admission to Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Park Exhibit Centers or tours of Gillette Castle (but you can visit the grounds), camping or special events with charges; if an area is closed to the public for any reason; for commercial use or on a commercial vehicle; if not adhered to the windshield (motorcycle operators may handhold the pass) of a registered vehicle.

A separate Heritage Passport will allow for unlimited access to Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull and Gillette Castle State Parks until the end of the calendar year. The cost is $67 and is good for a family (2 adults and up to 4 children). You can buy your Heritage Passport at any one of the three parks.

A season pass for access to all other parks is $67 for Connecticut residents and $112 for Out-of State residents and can be paid for online at the DEEP Store (The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection) http://www.ctdeepstore.com, as well as by mail or in person.

By mail, send a check for the fee, plus $2.50 for shipping and handling, made out to Treasurer, State of Connecticut to: DEEP Store, 79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106-5127

Your pass will be sent via first class mail with delivery confirmation to the address provided in your request.

Free lifetime passes

Called the Charter Oak Pass, this one provides access to all Connecticut state parks and forests and is available free to Connecticut residents age 65 or older.

It is accepted at all day-use areas where a parking fee applies and allows free access for the entering vehicle and passengers. And the pass holder does not have to be the vehicle driver.

It also allows free admission for the Charter Oak pass holder when visiting Gillette Castle, Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Parks, or fishing at the Quinebaug Valley Hatchery. Accompanying visitors, however, will be required to pay the appropriate fee.

Please note that each pass is issued to a specific person and can only be used when presented by that individual. Also, they are not valid for camping or special events that have separate admission charges, and may not be used for commercial purposes.

For a list of offices where you can buy your Charter Oak Pass in person (please bring proof of age and Connecticut residency), click this link and scroll half-way down the page.

Another free, lifetime pass is available for disabled veterans.

The Disabled Veteran Pass provides access to Connecticut state parks and forests and is available free to Connecticut residents who have a service-connected disability.

It allows free access for the entering vehicle and all passengers. Again, the pass holder does not have to be the driver.

This pass is not valid for camping or special events that have separate admission charges and may not be used for commercial purposes.

However, this pass can be used for free admission to Gillette Castle, Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Parks, or fishing at the Quinebaug Valley Hatchery. Accompanying visitors will be required to pay the appropriate fee.

You will need to show (or mail a copy of) your current Connecticut drivers license or other legal proof of residency, as well as a copy of your VA card or VA Benefits Letter indicating a service-connected disability. Mail to: DEEP Disabled Veteran Pass, State Parks Division, 79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106-5127. Questions? Call 860-424-3200 state office hours.

Letterboxing

And did you know that many state forests are included in letterboxing activities? Letterboxing is something like a treasure hunt in which boxes containing a log book and rubber stamp are hidden in the parks. Maps are created and the boxes hidden by participants, and clues to finding the boxes are posted on the Web.

You can learn more about letterboxing in this area at this site http://letterboxing.org/faq/faq.html

And this link will take you to a map of Connecticut counties and links to the letterbox maps for those areas.

And here is a link to Connecticut state forests with letterboxing trails and their clues.

More info

For descriptions of the state parks and the facilities they offer, click on this link http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325086&depNav_GID=1650

For more information about passes, click on this link http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325090&depNav_GID=1650

Also note that from time-to-time, the governor has declared certain dates to be admission-free at state parks and forests. Watch for those announcements here.

Posted May 27, 2012

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News. https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on Twitter at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )

2012 Memorial Day ceremonies and parades in our area

Navy veterans and Pearl Harbor survivors John Busma, left, a machinist's mate 1st class aboard the repair ship USS Medusa (AR 1), and Richard Cramer, a signalman 1st class aboard USS Pennsylvania (BB 38) on Dec. 7, 1941, listen to the program during 5th annual Pearl Harbor Commemorative Celebration, Dec. 7, 2011 at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Detachment Norco, home of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division. The theme of the event was Keeping Traditions Alive, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and 70 years of Navy presence in Riverside County, first as a naval hospital serving wounded from Pearl Harbor and currently as the Navy's independent assessment agent and one of its newest federal labs. (U.S. Navy photo by Greg Vojtko/Released)

Here are some of the 2012 Memorial Day activities slated for the HTNP.com readership area this weekend.

Sunday, May 27

SCOTLAND – The Memorial Day Parade kicks off at noon, and follows Route 97 from the town green to the Scotland Cemetery, where a ceremony will take place.

Monday, May 28

ASHFORD – The Memorial Day parade will begin at 11 a.m. at the firehouse on Route 89. Those marching in the parade are asked to meet at the fire station between 10 and 10:15 a.m. The parade will end at Pompey Hollow Park, where a service will be held.

COLUMBIA – Veterans will be honored during a Memorial Day ceremony at the town green, across from Columbia Town Hall on Route 66, beginning at 9 a.m.

During the ceremony, First Selectwoman Carmen Vance will make remarks and there will be a moment of silence for deceased veterans. Taps will be played and at the end of the ceremony, Vance will read a poem.

COVENTRY – The town’s Memorial Day parade starts at 10 a.m., beginning at the G.H. Robertson School on Cross Street, off of Route 31 (Main Street).

The parade will proceed to the Veteran’s Green for a brief service and then reform to continue down Lake Street to Main Street. The parade will end at Bradbury Lane.

HAMPTON – Memorial Day remembrances will take place throughout town. From 7 to 9 a.m., a Memorial Day breakfast will be served at the Hampton Congregational Church. At 9 a.m., the Memorial Day Parade starts at Route 97, from the Fletcher Memorial Library to the Hampton Community Center.

Hampton Town Hall will then host several Memorial Day remembrances and speeches starting at 10 a.m.

At noon, a ceremony for the Navy will take place at Little River on Hammond Hill Road.

And a chicken BBQ will be served at the Hampton Community Center from 11:20 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The day’s events include a 12:30 p.m. concert at the community center by the Juniper Hill Jumpers, a Dixieland jazz band.

HEBRON – The Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 10 a. m., follows Wall Street (Route 316) at RHAM High School. The parade will be followed by the dedication of a Civilian Aircraft Observation Post and World War II Memorial at the Hebron Town Office building. (See separate story in Hebron Today)

MANSFIELD (info added) – Memorial Day Parade starts at 9 a.m., from the intersection of Route 195 (Storrs Road) and Bassetts Bridge Road in Mansfield Center. Marchers will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Bassetts Bridge Road. The parade will progress north on Route 195 and down Cemetery Road to the new Mansfield Center cemetery.

All veterans and active duty personnel are invited to march at the head of the parade.

There will be a memorial ceremony at the cemetery. Councilor Christopher Paulhus will welcome all, Town Manager Matthew Hart will give the address, and Pastor Joe Nollet will represent the Hope Lutheran Church and give the invocation and benediction.  Music will be provided by the Mansfield Middle School Band and the E.O. Smith Regional High School Band.  Three volleys will be fired and taps sounded in honors for the fallen.  The units will then return to Bassetts Bridge Road.

In the event of heavy rain, the ceremony will be held in the Mansfield Middle School gymnasium, the school is located at 205 Spring Hill Road, off of Route 195. Listen for the announcement at 7:30 a.m. on WILI of the ceremony moves indoors.

In the event of heavy rain, the ceremony will be held in the Mansfield Middle School gymnasium, the school is located at 205 Spring Hill Road, off of Route 195.

WINDHAM/ WILLIMANTIC – The Windham/Willimantic Memorial Day pilgrimage begins at 7 a.m. at the VFW on 1415 Main St. to begin a visit to each of the town’s cemeteries and memorials.

These include: New Willimantic Cemetery, Old Willimantic Cemetery, South Windham Memorial, Windham Center Cemetery, Windham Center Memorials, North Windham Cemetery, St. Joseph Cemetery, Russian Orthodox Cemetery and Windham Veteran’s Greenway.

At 9 a.m. coffee and doughnuts will be served at the VFW. And at 11 a.m., an observance will take place at Memorial Park on Main Street.

Following, the Memorial Day parade will form and march to the American Legion Hall on Brick Top Road.

Posted May 27, 2012, info added at 5:07 p.m.

Have a news item, event or Letter to the Editor you’d like posted on this news site? Simply send your information to editor@htnp.com and include your town in the subject line of your email. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached if there are questions. For daily updates on local and Connecticut news, “like” us on Facebook at HTNP News at https://www.facebook.com/HTNPnews and find us on Twitter at HTNP News (@HTNPNews )