Press Releases
04/06/2023
DEEP Developing 2023-2028 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is conducting a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) process to evaluate outdoor recreation resources and issues.
Demand for outdoor recreation has increased dramatically since the pandemic – annual visitation to Connecticut State Parks & Forests increased to an estimated 17 million in 2022 – increasing 75% from pre-pandemic visitation levels of between 9 and 10 million in 2019. Developing the SCORP will allow Connecticut to access funding through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a federal program for the acquisition and development of park and recreation lands.
“Our primary goal with the new five-year plan is to engage with hikers, campers, hunters, cyclists, birdwatchers, beachgoers, boaters, and all manner of residents who enjoy our outdoor resources to better understand their recreation demands and update public outdoor recreation resources appropriately,” said Katie Dykes, DEEP Commissioner. “This opportunity for feedback is critical, and we hope to hear from a diverse group of recreationalists throughout the state who are our partners in ensuring the long-term protection of our outstanding natural and cultural resources.”
The LWCF requires each participating state to complete a SCORP every five years to safeguard the use of grant funds and to remain eligible for LWCF funding. In the state, LWCF funding has led to the preservation of approximately 2,500 acres of outdoor recreational assets in 11 communities.
Since the dramatic spike in visitation levels, parks resources have been stretched to keep up with demand. The Passport to the Parks program has provided a critical funding source to address increased operational costs stemming from inflationary pressures and extra visitation. This program supports annual parks operations through a $15 fee that is added to vehicle registration, and also provides free access to state parks for visitors arriving in Connecticut-registered vehicles. Increased visitation has also escalated wear and tear on the aging parks infrastructure, which is why the Lamont Administration allocated over $50 million to Restore Connecticut State Parks, a statewide initiative to invest in outdoor recreation infrastructure.
DEEP has made significant efforts to ensure that all visitors have equitable access to and feel equally welcomed in Connecticut’s recreation areas. There is also more work to do to ensure that all visitors feel welcome and safe, and DEEP’s SCORP efforts will seek ways to improve equity and inclusion in Connecticut’s State Parks, Forests, and other recreation areas. To better support data collection efforts and ensure ample opportunity for public participation, DEEP has partnered with the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research (CCESR) at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to conduct a variety of outdoor recreation surveys. Three surveys are underway and include the following focus areas:
- The Avid Outdoor Enthusiast Survey will help understand the habits and needs of outdoor recreation enthusiasts. CCSU’s CCESR is overseeing the distribution of the survey electronically in both Spanish and English through social media accounts Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- The Statewide Demand Survey will be used to measure the demand for public outdoor recreation resources throughout the state. CCSU’s CCESR executed an online survey of Connecticut residents. The survey sample closely mirrors state demographics as they apply to geography, gender, household income, and ethnicity.
- The Town’s Survey will be used to inquire about available outdoor recreation resources and needs throughout the state. CCSU’s CCESR is currently contacting Connecticut’s 169 municipalities.
In addition to the public surveys released, CCSU’s CCESR is in the process of completing a Current Recreationalist Survey. For this survey, they will contact people currently engaged in outdoor recreation. During the upcoming 2023 recreation season, over 2,000 surveys will be conducted online, via phone, and in state parks, state forests, wildlife management areas and state boat launches. DEEP & CCSU will be releasing this survey during the summer recreation season in order to encourage widespread participation in this survey.
These surveys will be used to better understand recreation habits, establish baseline demographic information, identify needs and establish economic impacts of Current Outdoor Recreationalists during the spring and summer recreation season. In addition, demographically diverse groups of recreationalists will be invited to in-person focus group meetings to supplement quantitative findings to better understand barriers to outdoor recreation. In developing the surveys, DEEP established a SCORP Advisory Committee made up of individuals representing a diversity of recreation interests and perspectives to help guide the process.
DEEP’s previous SCORP data from the 2017-2022 plan resulted in DEEP identifying, promoting, and increasing the availability of public transportation to and from outdoor recreation facilities by implementing the Park ConneCT pilot program. In collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), fare-free shuttles and enhanced existing transit service to various Connecticut state parks and beaches were offered last summer.
DEEP is planning to partner with the Southern Connecticut State University Department of Recreation, Tourism, and Sport Management to develop a draft of the 2023-2028 SCORP which will be available for public review and comment in the Fall of 2023. Additional information will be shared on the DEEP SCORP website at www.ct.gov/deep/scorp. For additional information, please email deep.scorp@ct.gov.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110