DEEP Issues New “Evergreen” Request for Information (RFI) Seeking Ideas to Elevate Outdoor Recreation and Visitor Experiences in CT State Parks

Press Releases 09/02/2025 DEEP Issues New "Evergreen" Request for Information (RFI) Seeking Ideas to Elevate Outdoor Recreation and Visitor Experiences in CT State Parks DEEP Holding Live Informational Webinar Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 AM (HARTFORD) - As part of its Partnership in Parks Initiative, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) today announced another opportunity for collaboration with the private sector through the launch of a Request for Information (RFI). Led by DEEP's Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences, the Partnership in Parks Initiative aims to elevate outdoor recreation and visitor experiences, expand access to the outdoors, and strengthen Connecticut's State Parks as tourism destinations. The "evergreen" RFI invites rolling submissions from businesses, non-profits, and other interested stakeholders with ideas for potential partnerships in State Parks. By keeping the RFI intentionally broad and accepting ideas on a rolling basis, DEEP hopes to make it easy for respondents to submit innovative and creative ideas that align with the agency's vision for vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces. More information, including the full RFI, is available on the Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences webpage. As part of this effort, DEEP is also seeking direct input from the public. Park visitors are encouraged to share their perspectives on the kinds of services, amenities, and recreational experiences they would like to see offered in Connecticut's State Parks by completing this survey. To support prospective applicants and provide further insight into the initiative, DEEP will host a public informational webinar on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. All businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in submitting ideas are encouraged to attend. Access details for the webinar can be found on the Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences webpage. A recording of the presentation will also be made available following the event. DEEP is excited to launch this new RFI as a continuation of the success sparked by the first Partnerships in Parks RFI, released on January 11, 2024. That initial call to action resulted in canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals being offered at four new state parks in Connecticut. Check out the following state parks where you can rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or tube: Scoot & Paddle offers kayak and paddleboard rentals at Indian Well State Park in Shelton (new!) Main Stream Canoes and Kayaks offers paddlecraft rentals at Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield (new!) Kingfisher Adventures offers kayak rentals at Lake Wintergreen in West Rock Ridge State Park in New Haven and Hamden (new!) Candlewood Kayak Rental offers kayak and paddleboard rentals at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield (new!) Clarke Outdoors offers paddlecraft rentals at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington and Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent Farmington River Tubing offers tube rentals at Satan's Kingdom Recreation Area in New Fairfield "Connecticut's State Parks are the finest in the nation and offer countless opportunities to create lasting memories in the outdoors," said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. "Some of my favorite moments with my family have been spent exploring our state parks by kayak and canoe. Thanks to these new partnerships, it's easier than ever for families to enjoy these experiences, with convenient on-site rentals available right in the parks. Easy access to outdoor recreation is one of the many reasons Connecticut is such a great place to live, and with this new RFI, we're excited to explore more ways for people to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors." Demand for outdoor recreation remains strong in Connecticut, with state park visitation increasing from just under 10 million in 2019, to an estimated 15.5 million in 2024. DEEP has embraced these higher visitor levels and the opportunities to connect park visitors with other Connecticut tourist destinations, with the interactive state parks website, ctparks.com. New this summer season, the ParkConnect program launched new excursion bus trips to four (4) state parks in partnership with the No Child Left Inside (NCLI) program. Additionally, All-Terrain Wheelchairs can now be reserved at seven CT State Park and Forest locations, which help increase access to the outdoors. More information and how to book a reservation can be found at All-Terrain Wheelchairs | Connecticut State Parks and Forests. These activities highlight a larger trend of significant growth in the outdoor recreation economy. The most recent data released by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Connecticut's outdoor recreation economy, already valued at $5.5 billion, grew by 9.2% in 2023, outpacing the national average of 9%. Connecticut has the second largest outdoor recreation economy in New England, supporting more than 49,000 jobs, which grew by 6.5% year over year. "The continued growth of Connecticut's outdoor recreation economy signals that the public continues to seek new experiences, services, and amenities at CT State Parks," said Jeff Shaw, DEEP Senior Advisor for Outdoor Industry and Experiences. "This standing RFI represents endless possibilities; and that's exciting. We want to understand the types of partnerships that are possible from operators and align them with incredible experiences currently available in our state parks." Thanks to the Passport to the Parks program, DEEP is able to maintain parks services and operations without charging Connecticut residents a fee to park at popular park destinations. The recent increase in public demand for outdoor recreation at State Parks coincides with a historic investment in state park facilities and services. Since 2022, the Lamont administration and the legislature have committed $70.7 million in capital investments as part of the Restore CT State Parks initiative. The recently passed state budget provides an additional $70 million for Restore CT State Parks and $10 million for Recreational Trails. This funding is welcome as we have dozens more projects lined up in parks and forests all over the state. To point out a few recently finished projects: take in scenic views of the Connecticut River from the reconstructed terrace at Gillette Castle; get your beach fix while strolling the rebuilt boardwalk at Rocky Neck; enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the Farmington River Valley through the sparkling new windows in the Heublein Tower observation deck; enjoy the replacement elevator lifting you to the second floor ramparts of Fort Trumbull to see expansive views of the Thames River; and campers will enjoy a new bathhouse facility at Salt Rock State Campground. A full list of projects by park location is available at Restore CT State Parks. To submit an idea to the RFI, email a completed submission template to [email protected], with the subject line "Parks RFI Submission: Add Title of Idea and State Park(s) identified for use". For more information, visit the Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences webpage. Also, feel free to reach out to Jeff Shaw for more information at [email protected]. Twitter: @CTDEEPNews Facebook: DEEP on Facebook Contact DEEP Communications [email protected] 860-424-3110 Twitter Facebook Email Print