A New Year’s Resolution that you should go through with.

December 31, 2007

Governor Rell Urges Residents to
Make New Year’s Resolution
to Spend More Time Outdoors,
Buy State Park Season Pass

2008 passes now available from DEP

Governor M. Jodi Rell said today that Connecticut residents can take the first step in fulfilling their New Year’s resolution to get outside and be more active by purchasing a 2008 state park season pass.

Governor Rell said, “The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is now selling a 2008 season pass that provides free parking at all state parks that charge a parking fee. If you want to get more exercise and experience the beauty of Connecticut’s 105 state parks and 32 state forests in 2008, the season pass is the perfect purchase for you to make right now.”

The state park season pass can be purchased from DEP either online, by mail or in person.

Valid for the entire 2008 calendar year, passes cost $50 for state residents and $75 for out-of-state residents. Passes provide free parking at all state parks that charge a parking fee. The cost of museum entrance fees is not covered.

Governor Rell said, “Connecticut has made a major commitment to getting families and children back outside. We want to reconnect them with something even better than the Internet – nature. That’s the driving force behind our nationally recognized initiative known as ‘No Child Left Inside.’ You can easily become part of this movement by purchasing a state park pass and spending more time hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, boating or simply enjoying the beauty that is so readily available in our tremendous state park system.

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “Make your New Year’s resolution to spend more time in the great outdoors as a family, and more specifically, plan to spend time in Connecticut’s beautiful state parks and forests. Season park passes make it easy and convenient to enjoy quality family time together in the great outdoors. You’ll have fun and get healthy together. There is no greater gift you can give a young person than teaching them to appreciate nature and the outdoors and the state park pass makes it easy to do that.”

There are several convenient ways to purchase a state park pass:

Shop online at www.ct.gov/dep & select “DEP Store” Purchase with a Visa or MasterCard. A $3.75 shipping fee will be charged. Your pass will be shipped to you by UPS.

Visit the DEP Store at DEP Headquarters, 79 Elm Street, Hartford. Store hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The store is closed on Friday. Purchase with Visa or MasterCard, cash or check.

Visit other DEP locations (Cash or check only)

Call for schedule and hours

DEP Eastern District Headquarters
209 Hebron Road, Marlborough
(860) 295-9523

DEP Western District Headquarters
230 Plymouth Road, Harwinton
(860) 485-0226

Sherwood Island Boating Office
Exit 18 off I-95, Westport
(203) 226-6983

DEP Office of Boating
333 Ferry Road, Old Lyme
(860) 434-8638

Mail a check made out to “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” to DEP Store, 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106. Include an additional $3.75 shipping fee. Your pass will be shipped to you by UPS.

For further information, call the DEP store in Hartford at (860) 424-3555.