Walk-ins to be Prohibited when Squantz Pond State Park Reaches Capacity Starting in 2024
New Fairfield—State Representative Patrick Callahan (R-108) is reminding motorists to drive safely around Squantz Pond State Park this summer. Public Act 23-43 was passed this session and signed into law and requires the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to establish a public safety capacity for the park. Once that limit is reached, new entry will be prohibited, no matter if it’s by vehicle or on foot.
“The park reached capacity on the 4th of July by 8:45am. There was initially some confusion over whether walk-ins were already banned. DEEP EnCon Police, park staff and state police are all on site to direct traffic. People parked illegally on the road or private property risk being towed. There are still some people walking from far away business parking lots and I remain concerned about their safety because there are no shoulders or sidewalks along Route 39,” said Callahan.
Callahan is working with DEEP to get the word out to park goers this year that they should plan accordingly for next summer when this law takes effect. In the meantime, he’s urging drivers approaching and passing the park this summer to be vigilant and wary of pedestrians walking along the roadway.
“Electronic signs are out on the highways once again to alert motorists when the park is closed. Other nearby state parks have larger parking areas, more lifeguards, and bigger recreational areas. Motorists who are unable to park at Squantz Pond will be redirected to other options,” said Callahan.
In response to 13 drowning deaths at Squantz Pond between 1996 and 2007, DEEP established a parking lot cap of 250 vehicles, a proxy for the maximum number of guests that can be safely accommodated.
There are several factors for DEEP to consider when enacting a public safety capacity including the number of visitors that can be safely supervised based on staffing, parking capacity, if pedestrian safety would be threatened by traffic volume, and if the number of vehicles parked along the road would impede emergency vehicle travel.