Posted on May 3, 2023
Hartford — The Connecticut House of Representatives passed a bill to improve public safety in and around Squantz Pond State Park. State Representative Patrick Callahan (R-108) along with Senators Stephen Harding (R-30) and Julie Kushner (D-24) introduced H.B. 5009 this session. Under this bill, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection would be required to establish a safety capacity and closure of the park to more visitors, regardless of entry by vehicle or on foot.
The House approved the measure 132 to 14 and it awaits further legislative action in the Senate.
In response to 13 drowning deaths at Squantz Pond State Park between 1996 and 2007, DEEP made safety improvements to the swim area and determined that 250 cars is proxy for the maximum number of guests that can be safely accommodated. In addition to water safety, New Fairfield officials have expressed concern about traffic safety.
“This bill is the result of numerous conversations with park staff, public safety officials and town officials. It was determined that the only conclusion to improve safety was to draft legislation. Squantz is in an area where there are no sidewalks, no shoulders and that has created a public safety hazard on the highway and in the park. Too many people are walking along Route 39, a 50 mile an hour roadway. It created such a dangerous situation that town and public safety officials asked for something to be done before a pedestrian gets struck or killed. The amendment is the result of conversations with DEEP to provide the best bill in order for them to provide the best safety as possible at Squantz,” said Callahan.
Under this bill, there are several factors for DEEP to consider 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.