State Holds Hearing On Outdoor Recreational Plan

Officials from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will come to New London on Thursday to host one of four statewide public presentations and discussions of an outdoor recreation plan.

The meeting will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at . The purpose of the event is to present the 2011-2015 working draft of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and have the public participate in the development of the plan. The document, according to the DEEP website, “identifies and evaluates outdoor recreation resources and issues of statewide significance.” The plan also makes Connecticut eligible for federal funds through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Eric Hammerling, of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, said state budget cuts have threatened staffing and funding for the Recreational Trail Programs. Hammerling said the program is the “largest (and only) dedicated funding source for trails available to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and many others.” He urged people to attend the hearing to say that trails “are important to outdoor recreation, public health, community vitality, connecting people to the land, and many other reasons that are personal to you.”

The Connecticut Forest and Park Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting forests, parks, walking trails, and other open spaces. Caroline Driscoll, a New London resident, is on the board of directors.

The SCORP document is available here, and a state questionnaire regarding outdoor recreational services is available here.