DEEP extends alcohol ban at 10 Connecticut recreational areas through November
An alcohol ban at 10 state recreation areas in Connecticut is being extended through November, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
DEEP announced Monday that the temporary ban, which was set to expire Aug. 17, will be re-issued from Aug. 18 through Nov. 15.
The organization initially put the seasonal ban in place on May 20 because of increased crowding and alcohol consumption, which they said have contributed to misconduct, unruly behavior, property damage, trespassing, and complaints from visitors and surrounding communities.
The extended ban applies to the following places:
- Gardner Lake State Park and State Boat Launch in Salem
- Paugusset State Forest, upper section/George Waldo State Park in Southbury
- Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middletown/Middlefield
- Lake Waramaug State Park in New Preston
- Quaddick State Park in Thompson
- Beach Pond Boat Launch in Voluntown. This includes a portion of Pachaug State Forest bordered by Beach Pond Boat Launch to the west, private property to the east and Beach Pond to the south, to an area 500 yards from shore.
- Billings Lake Boat Launch in North Stonington. This includes a portion of Pachaug State Forest surrounding the boat launch and shoreline.
- Naugatuck State Forest in Naugatuck, Oxford and Beacon Falls. This includes areas commonly known as Seymour Reservoirs #1, #2, #3 and #4, along with the lands immediately surrounding the reservoirs.
- Pattaconk Recreation Area inside Cockaponset State Forest in Chester
- A section of Rocky Neck State Park that includes the area south of the train tracks, west of the beach area and bounded by Long Island Sound to the south and the western border of the park.
The campground and Ellie Mitchell Pavilion at Rocky Neck State Park are not included in the ban.
“Connecticut’s state parks, forests, and boat launches are places where all of our residents should feel welcome, safe, and able to enjoy the outdoors,” Acting DEEP Commissioner Emma Cimino said in a statement. “These temporary alcohol bans support DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police and State Parks staff in maintaining a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all visitors.”
The extended alcohol ban will remain in effect through Nov. 15.
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