State Representative Dave Yaccarino (R-87) joined 53 other Legislators on the Honor Roll of State Park and Forest Adopters (28 of who belong to the House Republican Caucus) by adopting Quinnipiac River State Park in North Haven.
The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) and Friends of CT State Parks (FCSP) held a Friends of CT State Parks Day on March 11th, 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
“As a Boy Scout leader for many years, I am a firm believer in preserving our natural resources. I am excited to start garnering support for Quinnipiac River State Park,” said Rep. Yaccarino. “I actually live very close to this park and have hiked it for years.”
“We must look after our natural resources and see that they are preserved for generations to come. Access to outdoor activities is important for individuals of all ages and right here in North Haven we have access to a river front park with areas for hunting, hiking and fishing,” added Rep. Yaccarino.
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.