Rep. Callahan Touts Early Success of New Squantz Pond State Park Public Safety Law
New Fairfield, Conn. – – Summer travel along Route 39 in New Fairfield in the area of Squantz Pond is easier so far in 2024 thanks in part to a new state law, introduced by Representative Patrick Callahan (R-108). The Environment Committee Ranking Member has been advocating for legislation to improve public safety around the state park for years. In 2023, a bill was signed into law prohibiting walk-ins at the park after the parking capacity is reached.
“I am happy to report that the legislation I worked on with Senators Harding and Kushner, former Selectman Khris Hall, former First Selectman Pat Delmonico, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and State Police is working well so far,” said Callahan.
Callahan has been visiting Squantz Pond each weekend to talk with Squantz Pond State Park Supervisor Kyle Weaver, a park ranger with DEEP, to monitor the situation and resolve any minor issues. The New Fairfield Resident Trooper’s Office reported on the 4th of July that there were some minor traffic issues around 7am, but that at noon there were no traffic problems.
“The car parking limit of 250 vehicles was put into place at Squantz several years ago by DEEP in response to a series of tragic drowning deaths there. The car limit was meant to help keep capacity at a manageable level for lifeguard staff,” said Callahan.
Current New Fairfield leaders, including First Selectman Melissa Lindsey, have attended numerous meetings to make sure DEEP, State Police and New Fairfield Police have the tools they need to enforce the law and keep visitors safe.
“While the car limit keeps things manageable inside the park, it led to a different public safety challenge on the surrounding streets. I ushered through last year’s legislation to prevent people from having to make a u-turn on a very busy roadway if they arrived after Squantz was closed. People were also parking illegally on the side of roads, private property, and commercial lots and then walking to the park. That was very dangerous because there are no shoulders or sidewalks on the state road, it’s curved so line of sight for pedestrians isn’t great, and the speed is pretty fast,” said Callahan.
Coinciding with the bill prohibiting walk-ins, DEEP also implemented an online reservation system for the park. The new reservation system allows people to book up to 14 days ahead of time. Visitors can reserve a pass for weekends this summer, continuing through September 2nd. There are no entry fees for CT- registered vehicles. A $2 transaction fee applies for utilization of the reservation system website.
If reservations don’t sell out, same-day reservations can be made online or at the park entrance gate until 3:00 p.m. on the same day of your desired visit. Visitors will need to present the reservation ticket to be scanned by park staff at the entrance ticket booth, whether printed out or saved on a mobile device.
“I will continue to monitor the park throughout the summer to make sure things continue to run smoothly. I will also keep in touch with DEEP to see if there’s anything else we need to do to make sure the safety of visitors is protected,” added Callahan.
Reservations can be made at ReserveAmerica.com.