State Closing Parks And Removing Docks Ahead of Hurricane Sandy

With the effects of Hurricane Sandy expected to be in force in Connecticut by Monday the state will close all state parks that day until further notice.

“We regret any inconvenience caused by the closing of the parks but our first priority is to protect the safety of the public,” said Daniel C. Esty said, commissioner of the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. “Once the storm passes we will assess and address any impacts to our parks and determine when they can be reopened.” 

Mt. Misery Campground at Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown, will close at noon Sunday. This is the only state park campground still open for the season. 

Docks Coming Out

The DEEP also announced that courtesy boat docks and portable toilets located at several state boat launches are being pulled from the water in order to protect them from damage during the storm.

"The exact timing of this storm is uncertain, however, it is predicted to occur on or near a full moon. Normally higher tides during this period combined with a storm surge will greatly increase the risk of damage to our boat launch facilities," DEEP said in a press release.  

DEEP will be removing all docks by Saturday afternoon, including the courtesy docks on the Niantic River. Anticipating that people will want to secure their own vessels prior to the storm, DEEP Boating Assistants will be on hand to help at the Niantic River Boat Launch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Portable toilets will be removed from the Dock Road Boat Launch and the Niantic River Boat Launch in Waterford, and from Great Island Boat Launch and the Lieutenant River Boat Launch in Old Lyme. Those taken from Waterford will be returned after the storm has passed. A complete list of the docks and toilets being removed can be found here.