Love Your Parks
What is the Passport to the Parks?
The Passport to the Parks program is a crucial initiative ensuring the accessibility, maintenance, and improvement of Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests. For just $24 added to your three-year motor vehicle registration (equivalent to $8/year), this program provides essential funding, allowing vehicles with Connecticut license plates free day-use entry to all 142 State Parks and Forests.
Why is the Passport to the Parks Necessary?
In the past, underfunding led to the closure of campgrounds, reduced hours for museums and nature centers, a significant reduction in seasonal workers, termination of full-time park maintainers, and the switch to “passive management” for many parks. The Passport to the Parks program, initiated in the 2018-19 budget, reversed this trend by providing a reliable funding source, ensuring our parks remain open, maintained, and improved.
J. Koteen Photography
The Importance of Parks to Connecticut
Connecticut’s 142 state parks and forests are fundamental to the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. With a public park within a 15-minute drive of every person in the state, these lands are immensely popular and visitation is at an all-time high. In a statewide survey, 86% of households reported that walking and hiking were their most popular recreational activities. For many economically stressed families, State Parks and Forests provide quality recreational opportunities year-round and free of charge.
The Broader Impact of State Parks
- Environmental Benefits: Land conserved through parks and forests protects water quality by providing for groundwater recharge and filtering our rivers, lakes and streams. Open space also provides habitat for cherished wildlife. Conserved public land promotes health by providing places for physical activity and accessing the mental-health benefits of being outdoors.
- Economic Drivers: The outdoor recreation economy in Connecticut is valued at $4.6 billion, supporting 46,000 jobs. Every $1 invested in the State Parks returns an impressive $38 to state and local coffers.
Get Involved and Show Your Support!
Get outside and love your parks! By supporting the Passport to the Parks program, you are helping to ensure that Connecticut’s beautiful State Parks remain open, maintained, and accessible for everyone. Enjoy the benefits of free park access, contribute to preserving our natural landscapes, and support local jobs.
Contact Your Legislators
Let your legislators know how much you support the Passport to the Parks program and the continued funding for Connecticut’s State Parks.
Share Your Park Stories
Share your park story using #MyPassportTo and #LoveYourParks on social media to share your park and forest stories. How have Connecticut State Parks and Forests impacted your life? Tag @ctforestandparkassociation on Facebook and Instagram or @ctwoodlands on X for a chance to get your story featured!
Story Prompts to get started:
- The family traditions that involve Connecticut State Parks
- Where a perfect day is spent at your favorite spot
- A breathtaking view that changed the meaning of beauty
- Why it’s important to preserve and support Connecticut State Parks
Note: By submitting a story and any photos, etc., you represent that you are the owner or have permission to share the material. You also grant the Connecticut Forest & Park Association permission, with proper credit, to repost and share that material, or a portion thereof, on websites, social media accounts, or in publicly available presentations.
Explore More
Find additional resources about the Passport to the Parks program at portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks/passport-to-the-parks.
Commemorate your love for Connecticut State Parks with a State Park t-shirt of your favorite spot at shop.ctparks.com. Any net proceeds from sales of these shirts will go to the Passport fund.
Download Toolkit
To help you spread the word about the Passport to the Parks program and our Love Your Park campaign, we’ve created a comprehensive toolkit filled with resources and materials for partners and state park friend groups.
