March 12, 2015

McGorty & Perillo ‘Adopt’ Indian Well State Park in Shelton

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State Representatives Ben McGorty (R-122) and Jason Perillo (R-113) have adopted Indian Well State Park in Shelton, adding themselves to a distinguished list of legislators on the Honor Roll of State Park and Forest Adopters.

The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) and Friends of CT State Parks (FCSP) held a Friends of CT State Parks Day at the Legislative Office Building on March 11^th, where they laid out the pre-requisites for park adoption. They include:

Acknowledgement of a State Park or Parks their District
Visit/Contact the State Park(s) to understand its needs
Work with an existing “Friends of” group (if applicable) or with the CT DEEP to launch an annual event (walk, clean-up, etc.)
Help advocate for the needs of your Park and the State Park system

Indian Well

“Everyone in Shelton appreciates the outdoor recreation that Indian Well State Park offers,” said Rep. McGorty. “I am pleased to join in bringing recognition to this tremendous resource we have right in our own backyard, and look forward to working to ensure that the park endures.”

“Indian Well State Park is a tremendous recreational resource to the residents of Shelton,” said Rep. Perillo. “With warmer weather on the horizon, we are all looking forward to the opportunity to hike, boat, fish and picnic there. This park is also an essential part to the entire state park network which protects our environment and provides local jobs.”

According to a study conducted by UConn’s Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA), state parks generate $6 million a year through admissions and other fees, and provide over $1 billion and 9,000 jobs to Connecticut’s economy each year. The study also documented that for every dollar the state spends on the state park system, it receives a return of $38 in economic activity. In addition, the increased property values of individual dwellings that border or overlook green open space generate an estimated $3.1 to $5.4 million to municipalities.

The Connecticut Forest & Park Association is the first non-profit conservation organization established in Connecticut in 1985. CFPA’s mission is to protect state parks, forests, walking trails, and open spaces for future generations by connecting people to the land.

The Friends of CT State Parks is an all-volunteer organization formed in 1994. FCSP’s mission is to support Connecticut’s state parks, forests and conservation areas through education, advocacy, and public awareness to protect Connecticut’s legacy of natural resources and historical treasures.