Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Press Releases

DEEP News Release Header

01/30/2020

DEEP Hosts 14th Annual No Child Left Inside® Winter Festival

Saturday, Feb. 1 at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington

Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
Facebook: DEEP on Facebook

Grab your winter gear, bundle up and join us for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) No Child Left Inside® 14th annual Winter Festival at Burr Pond State Park, 384 Burr Mountain Road, Torrington. The event is a partnership among No Child Left Inside®, Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) and the City of Torrington and offers a full range of winter activities for the entire family. The festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. The event is free and no registration is required.

Last year, a record crowd of nearly 1,300 people came out for what has been a highlight of the Connecticut winter season. A variety of activities have been planned: ice fishing (if ice conditions are safe), a fish fry, snowshoeing, ice sculpting, identifying wildlife tracks and winter hikes; demonstrations by outdoor recreational outfitters; and visits from search and rescue resources, the CT Valley Siberian Husky Club, Torrington Fire Department and the Torrington Police Department. On-site winter games are sponsored by the Torrington Park and Recreation Department. There will also be s’mores and story time by the bonfire. Boy Scout Troop 1 will be selling food for purchase at the event (cash only).

Ice fishing equipment and instruction will be provided by DEEP’s Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) instructors. Dress for the cold weather and bring your ice spikes.

On-site parking is available at Burr Pond State Park in Torrington and at the Burr Pond Boat Launch Ramp. Off-site parking is available at the Burrville Fire Training School located on Burr Mountain Road in Torrington as well as at RBC Bearings Aircraft Products, Inc. located at 2788 Winsted Road in Torrington. There will be shuttles running between the event and these parking locations throughout the day during the hours of the event. Please note that the last shuttle leaves Burr Pond at 3:15 pm. 

DEEP reminds those wishing to venture onto the ice, that safety comes first. Be aware that ice thickness varies on all water bodies due to a number of environmental factors including in-lake water circulatory patterns, snow cover, and the type and amounts of recent precipitation. Please check the ice carefully before venturing out and check repeatedly to make sure the ice thickness is sufficient. Please visit DEEP’s Ice safety page: www.ct.gov/deep/icesafety

Keeping Warm Outdoors During the Winter

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) www.healthychildren.org has some valuable tips on how to keep your children safe and warm on a cold winter day.

  • Dress infants and children warmly for outdoor activities. Several thin layers will keep them dry and warm. Don’t forget warm boots, gloves or mittens (to keep hands warmer), and a hat. Layering is a good idea; so are moisture-wicking fabrics and clothing that’s geared to the sport.
  • The rule of thumb for older babies and young children is to dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions.
  • Set reasonable time limits on outdoor play to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Have children come inside periodically to warm up.
  • The sun’s rays can still cause sunburn in the winter, especially when they reflect off snow. Make sure to cover your child’s exposed skin with sunscree

Visit No Child Left Inside® at www.NoChildLeftInside.org to get a full list of the day’s activities and visit Burr Pond State Park at www.ct.gov/deep/BurrPond for directions.

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The Connecticut State Park system was founded in 1914 with the purchase of land that became Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Today, Connecticut has 110 state parks and 32 state forests attracting more than 9 million visitors each year, generating over $1 billion in economic activity for the state and supporting 9,000 private sector jobs. Those driving Connecticut registered motor vehicles are provided free entrance to the parks thanks to the Passport to Parks program. For more info on Connecticut State Parks visit: www.ct.gov/deep/stateparks

Kristina Rozek
Director of Communications
860-424-3110
Kristina.Rozek@ct.gov