Press Releases
03/24/2026
DEEP to Host CT Outdoor Recreation Day at State Capitol April 30th
Event Will Showcase CT-based Outdoor Industries, Retailers, Guides and Recreation Groups
(HARTFORD, CT) — The Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences will host an inaugural Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Day featuring Connecticut-based outdoor industries, retailers, guides, and recreation groups on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the North Lobby of the State Capitol in Hartford.
The event seeks to raise awareness of the growing outdoor recreation industry in Connecticut as well as opportunities to recreate in the outdoors, anchored by our State Parks and Forests. Registration is now open. Visit the Connecticut Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences event webpage for details.
The federal Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently released data on the outdoor recreation economy, showing Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy continues to grow, outpacing the national average for the second consecutive year.
“Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy is not only thriving; it is outperforming the nation for the second year in a row, a testament to the accessibility of our State Parks through the Passport to the Parks program and our investments in park infrastructure through the Restore CT State Parks initiative,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes. “As we continue to build on this momentum, we invite outdoor businesses, partners, and stakeholders from across the state to join us at the Capitol for the first-ever Outdoor Recreation Day.”
The outdoor recreation industries, organizations, and people that support it are powerful drivers of community well-being and economic vitality. According to the BEA’s Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account data, the industry in Connecticut is bigger than many people realize – valued at $6 billion - larger than in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. It employs more than 50,000 people in Connecticut, contributing $2.8 billion in salary and wages to the state economy.
Governor Lamont has championed a once-in-a-generation investment in Connecticut’s outdoor recreation infrastructure through the Restore CT State Parks initiative. This transformative capital improvement program is enabling DEEP to address an unprecedented backlog of repairs and upgrades, needs that were further exacerbated by a surge in park usage following the pandemic. Connecticut State Parks are the most accessible in the Northeast through the Passport to the Parks program which allows anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle to park free of charge at all State Parks and Forests year-round. Additionally, the CT Recreational Trail Grant program provides funding to local and regional organizations in support of trail projects that connect communities, improve health, reduce transportation costs and enhance property values.
Connecticut is well-renowned for its outdoor recreation. Its natural landscape includes 5,800 miles of rivers and streams, 2,000 miles of scenic, public access trails, 35,000 acres of wildlife management areas, 142 state parks and forests comprising 255,000 acres, and 224 miles of accessible rail trails. There are also 117 state boat launches, 14 state campgrounds, and every Connecticut resident lives within a 15-minute driving distance to recreational activities in a state park. Visit CTParks.com for more information about State Parks.
“We encourage outdoor businesses and organizations statewide to attend the inaugural Connecticut Outdoor Recreation Day at the Capitol and help shape the future of this growing industry,” said Jeff Shaw, Director of the CT Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences. “Connecticut’s outdoor recreation economy continues to outpace national economic growth and helps create healthier communities across the state.”
In 2024, DEEP launched its Office of Outdoor Industry & Experiences by asking businesses, organizations and the general public to submit ideas to its Partnership in Parks Request for Information (RFI), which remains open to submissions on a rolling basis. Submission to the RFI resulted in piloting new outdoor recreation services last recreation season and recently, the release of a Paddlecraft Rental Service Request for Proposals (RFP) to include paddlecraft rental services at seven State Parks. Additional Draft RFPs for new or expanded outdoor recreation experiences, services, and amenities are expected to be announced in the coming months, with public comment encouraged.
For more information, contact Jeff Shaw at Jeffrey.Shaw@ct.gov.- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110