With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis – and Memorial Day weekend on the horizon – many have been speculating about the future of Connecticut’s state parks, shorelines and beaches. In a press release announcement this week, Governor Ned Lamont declared that all state parks and beaches will open this Friday, May 22. But that comes with some changes. And social distancing guidelines.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Residents are encouraged to select locations closest to home, and consider visiting early in the morning before crowds gather.
- Residents should stick with members of their immediate household and not meet up with others.
- Groups over 5 are not permitted.
- Visitors must maintain six feet of social distancing at all times, and space 15 feet or more between beach blankets.
- The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will reduce parking capacity or even close beaches for the day (or longer term if social distancing is not maintained.
- Connecticut municipalities continue to make decisions regarding the local beaches and swimming areas they oversee. DEEP will publish a detailed operations plan early next week that municipalities may adapt to their needs, which will be published online at www.ct.gov/DEEP/Parks.
In the Groton region, state park beaches include DuBois Beach in Stonington Borough, Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme and Sound View Beach in Old Lyme. For a full list of state beaches, click here. For ongoing closure updates on Connecticut State Parks, follow CTStateParks on Twitter and Facebook.
At this time no decision has been made regarding city parks and beaches in Groton or New London. We will continue to monitor for updates.