Expanding State Parks Partnerships
In Goal 16, DEEP aims to build upon existing private sector partnerships to further elevate outdoor recreation experiences, enhance tourism destinations, provide equitable access to State Parks, and support Connecticut’s growing outdoor recreation economy – which is the second largest in New England. Background on this goal is presented in DEEP’s 20BY26, Setting the Target: CT DEEP 2026 Goals (February 2024).
Latest Progress (as of Spring 2025)
In Q2 2025, DEEP’s State Parks Division issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to revive food and beverage concessions at three State Parks with existing concession buildings (read the press release here). Through Special Use Licenses, two new paddle craft rental services are operational at Indian Well State Park in Shelton and Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield; and Squantz Pond State Park and West Rock Ridge State Park saw returning paddle craft rental services.
The Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences created an email newsletter to highlight new outdoor recreation partnerships and opportunities and share other relevant information promoting CT State Parks. You can view the introductory newsletter here and sign up to receive future correspondence. You can also follow us on LinkedIn.
To promote upcoming opportunities, staff also participated in the National Parks Hospitality Association Annual Meeting, spoke at the Northeast Outdoor Network Meetup, and served as a panelist on a special segment about CT’s great tourism destinations on WFSB-Channel 3’s “Hello Connecticut” show!
Up Next
DEEP identified additional new services to enhance outdoor recreation experiences for visitors and will post draft RFPs soon. DEEP expects to issue the first draft RFP for selected outdoor recreation equipment rental services over the summer. Additionally, a new Request for Information (RFI) will be released to encourage park visitors to provide feedback on the types of experiences, services, and amenities they would like to see in State Parks and to invite businesses and other organizations to share their ideas for potential partnerships to provide services in CT State Parks.
The Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences also plans to attend the Outdoor Economy Conference and Fall Gathering of the Confluence of States, the latter an association of similarly structured state Offices of Outdoor Recreation, to further promote partnerships and opportunities in CT State Parks.
GOAL 16 PROGRESS FROM PREVIOUS QUARTERS
Winter 2025
In January, DEEP welcomed Jeffrey Shaw as Senior Advisor for Outdoor Industry & Experiences to lead the Partnerships in Parks initiative and work with other agencies to promote Connecticut as a great place to live, work, and play outdoors. DEEP met with many of the organizations that submitted concepts to the initial Request for Information (RFI), visited State Parks, and introduced Connecticut to outdoor businesses at the Boston Outdoor Expo to understand potential partnership possibilities. We also received additional partnership concepts that could help expand outdoor recreation in Connecticut State Parks and updated the initiative webpage to continue to encourage and gather more ideas through the original RFI.
Fall 2024
DEEP filled its Senior Advisor for Outdoor Industry & Experience position to start early in 2025. DEEP posted a summary of concepts submitted to the RFI. Staff then conducted an in-depth review of the high impact concepts submitted to the RFI, which included meeting with various submitters, such as The Last Green Valley, Osaki Education Center, and Westport Farmers Market, to gather more information about their concepts.
Summer 2024
DEEP continued to welcome responses to the RFI on a rolling basis and received 3 additional concepts. We also began evaluating the concepts received. With the State Parks Special Use Licenses Coordinator position refilled, DEEP selected 3 low-impact concepts submitted to the RFI to issue Special Use Licenses for new activities including watercraft rentals at Squantz Pond and West Rock Ridge State Parks.
Winter and Spring 2024
Following the early 2024 launch of its new Office of Outdoor Industry & Experience, DEEP issued its Partnership in Parks Request for Information (RFI) and received 45 concepts from the public.
Content last updated September 2025