Waterford State Park Among Those Seeking Business Partners

WATERFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont has announced a new initiative to expand services and amenities at state parks, such as Gillette Castle in East Haddam and Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford.

The Office of Outdoor Industry and Experience is seeking to establish partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and other private sector entities to enhance the visitor experience.

For example, a restaurateur might be interested in an existing building near the visitor center of the highly popular Gillette Castle state park, according to a statement. The building has an outdoor terrace with a clear view to the striking edifice designed by William Gillette. Annual attendance at the park averages 350,000.

"This is a premier location that attracts visitors from around the world" Lynn Wilkinson, president of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, said in a statement. "We think the location would also attract locals in late afternoon and evenings as a 'bring your own beverage' destination."

At Harkness Memorial Park, there are buildings that could be renovated to supplement the wedding venue or a bed and breakfast.

“There are a number of opportunities for collaborative projects here at Harkness and Gillette and at other Connecticut state parks,” John Hine, the park supervisor at Harkness, said in a statement. “We already have a successful wedding venue at Harkness State Park and there are buildings, like the Carriage House, that have the potential to add value to the visitor experience.”

He pointed out that the park attracts a quarter million visitors a year.

The new office, which is under the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has issued a request for information and is seeking responses.

The nonprofit Friends of Gillette Castle will be responding to the request for information as part of a coalition of organizations interested in creating a cultural and environmental education center in the former home of Yukitaka Osaki.

Yukitaka Osaki was a Japanese immigrant who worked for William Gillette for decades. The two became close friends and after Gillette’s death in 1937, Osaki lived in the cottage until he passed away in 1942. Japanese immigrants were barred from becoming American citizens until 1952.

“Yukitaka Osaki was one of the first Asian immigrants to the region, and like William Gillette, he had an avid appreciation of the beauty of the special location on the Connecticut river,” Wilkinson said in a statement. “We hope that DEEP values the way our proposal respects the unique history of the site, but it is an open and ultimately a competitive process, so anyone with an idea for how to use the building is invited to apply.”

Information on the many partnership opportunities can be found on the DEEP website at www.portal.ct.gov/DEEP-parks-partnerships. The DEEP is also hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday February 6 from 10-11 am., preregistration is required.