Connecticut Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences
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Connecticut has 110 State Parks with amazing facilities, trails, beaches, campgrounds, and more for the public to enjoy. Through new and expanded partnerships, we aim to elevate outdoor recreation experiences, increase equitable access to the outdoors, and expand tourism destinations in these State Parks. We’re pleased to introduce an email newsletter to deliver the latest information about these efforts and new partnership opportunities:
Goals of the Office
Connecticut’s $5.5B outdoor recreation economy is the second largest in New England and grew by 9.2% in 2023, outpacing the national average of 9% and demonstrating a continued trend of strong growth since the pandemic. Building on this momentum, DEEP launched a new, interactive State Parks website, Governor Lamont and the Legislature committed an historic $80M to the Restore CT State Parks initiative, and most recently DEEP established the Connecticut of Outdoor Industry & Experiences. Led by Jeff Shaw, the Office focuses on growing Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy by:
- Partnering with the private sector to provide outdoor recreation experiences in Connecticut State Parks.
- Promoting Connecticut both as an outdoor recreation tourism destination and as a place to live, work and play outside.
- Expanding and protecting equitable access to outdoor recreation experiences.
Partnerships in Parks - RFI Seeks Partnership Suggestions to Expand Outdoor Recreation in State Parks
DEEP seeks to build upon successful partnerships in Connecticut State Parks – such as Farmington River Tubing, Mohawk Mountain Ski Area, and Essex Steam Train – by inviting businesses, non-profits, and other private sector stakeholders to submit suggestions to a Request for Information (RFI), which is intentionally broad to encourage innovative, creative concepts that meet the following goals:
- Elevate outdoor recreation and visitor experience
- Expand tourism destinations
- Provide equitable and sustainable access to the outdoors
Governor Lamont and Commissioner Dykes first announced the Partnerships in Parks initiative on January 11, 2024 (press release). A formal notice followed (public notice) with a public informational webinar and an opportunity for the public to provide feedback (summary of comments submitted).
RFI & Submission Process
- Please note that while the submission deadlines in the original RFI have passed, DEEP continues to welcome submissions on a rolling basis through the same process. Any business, vendor, group, or person with a concept is encouraged to review the RFI and submit a concept using the same template.
- Complete details and instructions can be found in the Partnerships in Parks Request for Information [PDF file].
- Submission Template [PDF file] [DOC file].
- Specific park locations and facilities: While submissions of partnership concepts involving any State Park are welcome, DEEP is highlighting the following facilities located in parks that host weddings and/or events.
Ellie Mitchell Pavilion
Rocky Neck State Park
Download brochure for more details
Eolia Mansion
Harkness Memorial State Park
Download brochure for more details
Carriage House
Harkness Memorial State Park
Download brochure for more details
Concession Building
Gillette Castle State Park
Download brochure for more details
Osaki House
Gillette Castle State Park
Download brochure for more details
Next Steps After the RFI
- Partnerships with State Parks commonly are formalized through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Submitting a concept to this RFI helps DEEP identify the types of outdoor recreation services partners may be interested in providing, which helps DEEP design potential subsequent RFPs.
- Concepts submitted to the RFI are under review by DEEP on a rolling basis (summary of concepts submitted through the original RFI deadline).
- Low impact partnership concepts may be directed to DEEP’s Special Use License program for further review.
- DEEP anticipates beginning to release draft RFP(s) for selected partnership concepts in Spring 2025 and will offer a public comment period on draft RFPs issued through this initiative.
Stay Connected
Sign up for the Connecticut Outdoor Industry & Experiences email newsletter. Connecticut has 110 State Parks with amazing facilities, trails, beaches, campgrounds, and more for the public to enjoy. Through new and expanded partnerships, we aim to elevate outdoor recreation experiences, increase equitable access to the outdoors, and expand tourism destinations in these State Parks. This email newsletter will deliver the latest information about these efforts and new partnership opportunities.
Sign up for Connecticut Outdoor Industry & Experiences email newsletter.
Archive: May 2025
Contact deep.partnershipsinparks@ct.gov with any additional questions.
Content last updated May 2025