March 20, 2013

Carpino Adopts Two Area State Parks

This article was archived from the previous WordPress site. Formatting and media should be close, but may not match the original post perfectly.

HARTFORD – State Rep. Christie Carpino on Wednesday announced she will be adopting both River Highlands Park in Cromwell and Meshomasic State Forest in Portland, joining a coalition of state park and greenway advocates within the Connecticut General Assembly.

Carpino made the announcement on the same day the Friends of Connecticut State Parks and the Connecticut Forest and Park Association assembled in Hartford for their Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. Carpino proclaimed her support for the forests, parks and greenways by adopting her local landscape in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the State Park system.

River Highlands was dedicated in 2001, a recent addition to the park system, and preserves 177 acres of ecologically important Connecticut River frontage. Tucked into a growing suburban landscape, River Highlands has escaped development to provide a quiet refuge with a wonderful view.

There are many trails in the River Highlands Park to lead hikers across wooden bridges, over streams, along the 150 foot high bluff, or down to the water’s edge.

Meshomasic State Forest was the first State Forest in Connecticut. The current management goals for the forest include maintaining a quality water supply for the Portland town reservoir (located within the state forest), protecting timber rattlesnake habitats, and keeping the forest as a showplace for proper timber management.

“These parks are great passive recreation destinations within our district,” said Rep. Carpino. “I’m proud to adopt these parks and promote their use.”

By adopting a state park, Rep. Carpino will work with existing “Friends” of the park, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; use her position as a legislator to advocate the needs for the park and work with the park to continually understand its assets and needs.

The Friends of Connecticut State parks added Carpino to their Honor Roll list of legislators.
Over a dozen legislators signed the pledge this week to adopt a state park in their respective districts. There are 107 state parks in Connecticut, and according to a UConn Economic Study, the state parks employ 9,000 people each year and bring $1 billion to the state’s economy.