Press Releases
06/30/2023
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ, DEEP, & DOT REMIND RESIDENTS TO UTILIZE BUS SERVICE TO STATE PARKS & BEACHES THROUGH PARKCONNECT THIS SUMMER
ParkConneCT will operate through Labor Day
(Hartford) – Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz joined DEEP and DOT officials today to remind residents that the ParkConneCT bus service will continue this summer, providing public transit options for safe and reliable transportation to various Connecticut State Parks and Beaches. The pilot program, which began in 2021, will provide public transit options for safe and reliable transportation to Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, Osbornedale, Indian Well, Sleeping Giant, and Sherwood Island State Parks.
ParkConneCT aims to connect people to Connecticut state parks and beaches during the summer months to support seasonal employment and promote recreational activity. It is a collaboration of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).
“We are so fortunate to have so many beautiful state parks in our state, and helping residents access them has been a priority of the Lamont administration,” Lt.Governor Bysiewicz said. “The ParkConneCT program increases access to all of the restorative benefits gained from spending time in the outdoors. I encourage residents to take advantage of this service, this holiday weekend, and throughout the summer, and spend time in our wonderful parks.”
“You don’t have to have a car to enjoy Connecticut’s beautiful state parks,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “The ParkConneCT program makes it easier for people to have a fun recreational experience in some of the most beautiful settings in our state, and it can also serve as a transportation option for some of our valued seasonal staff. I am grateful to Gov. Lamont and Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz for their continued support of this program, and we are thrilled to once again collaborate with our DOT partners.”
“We're excited to partner with DEEP once again to help expand access to Connecticut parks and beaches through the popular ParkConneCT program,” CTDOT Public Transportation Bureau Chief Benjamin Limmer said. “There are many great parks and beaches in Connecticut, and our transit providers offer the best way for residents to get there. I encourage residents to hop on a bus, grab the train, or even take the trolley, to get to their destination safely this summer.”
“Our ParkConneCT service provides so many benefits to our region, from connecting park visitors and campers to local businesses to drive economic activity, to relieving illegal parking concerns adjacent to the park to providing Middletown residents easy access to our state’s best public beach,” River Valley Transit Executive Director Joe Comerford said.
The ParkConneCT Pilot Program will continue through Labor Day weekend (9/4/2023). Holidays during the program are observed on 5/29/2023 (Memorial Day), 6/19/23 (Juneteenth), 7/3 through 7/4/2023 (Independence Day weekend), and 9/4/2023 (Labor Day). Fares on all Connecticut buses returned on April 1, 2023, but many of the ParkConneCT routes will have no cost for riders. For information about fares and routes visit portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Park-Connect
DEEP will be holding pop-up events in the parks to survey users as well as non-users of the ParkConneCT service to learn more about who is using or might use the program, and why/why not. Pop-up events will be held on the following dates:
July 8 & 9:Hammonasset Beach SP
July 22 & 23: Silver Sands SP
Aug. 5 & 6: Sherwood Island SP
ParkConneCT 2023 Service Routes:
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Bus Connections
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River Valley Transit 645: Madison/Middletown (fare-free on Saturdays)
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Bus stop for this route is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
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Clinton Trolley (fare-free Thursday through Sunday and Holidays) Bus stop for these routes is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
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Madison Shuttle (fare-free on Weekends and Holidays) Bus stop for these routes is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
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CTtransit Route 201 from New Haven operates weekdays and Saturdays, connecting to the Madison Shuttle route serving Hammonasset.
CTrailShore Line East Rail Connections
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Direct Bus service available from the Clinton train station.
Silver Sands State Park
Bus Connections:
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Milford Route 3 Bus stop is at the “Fisherman’s Lot” at the end of East Broadway
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Silver Sands Shuttle (fare-free Weekends and Holidays) Bus stop is at the boardwalk inside the park
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CTtransit Routes 261 and 271 from New Haven operate daily, meeting the Silver Sands Shuttle route at the CT Post Mall.
For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit the bus operator’s website. Connection from the Coastal Link is available at Milford Train Station, and connection to the CTtransit New Haven Division is at the CT Post Mall.
New Haven Line (Metro-North) Rail Connections:
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Milford Train Station
Sleeping Giant State Park
Bus Connections:
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CTtransit Route 228: Whitney Avenue Bus stop is at Whitney Avenue & Mt. Carmel Avenue. Follow the sidewalk along Mount Carmel Avenue east for 0.3 miles, to the main entrance to the Park.
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CTtransit Route 229: New Haven – Waterbury
Trail Connections:
CTrailConnections (Hartford Line/Shore Line East/New Haven Line)
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Visitors can indirectly connect to routes 228 and 229 at the New Haven Green by taking the Union Station/Green Shuttle (available weekdays only) from New Haven Union Station or walking from State Street Station to the Green.
Osbornedale State Park/Indian Well State Park
On-Demand Ridesharing:
The Valley Transit District (VTD) provides on-demand public transportation services. On weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, VTD will provide fare free transportation, within its service area boundaries, from Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, and Shelton, to Indian Well and Osbornedale State Parks. Non-Valley residents can utilize VTD park transit service with same day pick-up and drop-off at the Derby/Shelton train station. The hours of operation are from 8am to 6pm. VTD buses are wheelchair accessible and air conditioned. Riders are to contact VTD’s reservation/dispatch department at 203-735-6408 for same day service to Osbornedale and Indian Well parks.
Bus Connections:
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GBT Route 15: Connects downtown Bridgeport to Derby/Shelton train station (fare-free on weekends)
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CTtransit Route 255: New Haven/Ansonia/Seymour connects downtown New Haven to Derby/Shelton train station (fare-free on Saturdays)
CTrail Connections (Waterbury Line)
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Non-valley residents can utilize VTD park transit service when being picked up from the Derby/Shelton train station on the Waterbury Line (operated by Metro-North Railroad).
Sherwood Island State Park
On-Demand Ridesharing:
Wheels 2U Westport and Norwalk Transit District are operating free ride-sharing shuttles. Download the app, request a ride, and the shuttle will pick you up from anywhere in the Westport service area and take you to Sherwood Island State Park and back. To use the Weekend Wheels 2U service, for free, the pick up or drop off location must be Sherwood Island State Park.
Bus Connections:
Coastal Link - Take the bus to the stop at CT Route 1 and Sherwood Island Connector then use the Wheels 2U Westport app to get a ride.
CTrail Connections (New Haven Line)
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Saugatuck Station, Westport - Take the train to Saugatuck Station then use the Wheels 2U Westport app to get a ride.
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Greens Farms Station, Westport - Take the train to Greens Farms Station then use the Wheels 2U Westport app to get a ride.
More at: portal.ct.gov/deep| Follow on Facebook at CTDEEP| Follow on Twitter @CTDEEPNews
Sam Taylor
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
(860) 805-1408