The Connecticut Departments of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection are pleased to announce the ParkConneCT program, a collaboration of CTDOT and CT DEEP. This program aims to provide safe and reliable transportation within a 10 minute walk to Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, and Sleeping Giant State Parks.
The ParkConneCT Program will run from Memorial Day weekend (5/25/2024) through Labor Day weekend (9/1/2024). Holidays during the program are observed on Memorial Day (5/27/2024), Juneteenth, (6/19/2024) Independence Day weekend (7/4/2024), and Labor Day (9/2/2024). Connections to the parks listed above are available from nearby train stations, providing access to the parks on a regional basis.
Please visit each transit operator's website below for assistance on planning transit to the park and the individual park webpages to see what amenities are available at that location. Restrooms, shelters, and concessions vary from park to park and may not be available at all locations.
Hammonassett Beach State Park, Madison
River Valley Transit
Hammonasset Beach State Park Webpage
Bus Connections
- River Valley Transit 645: Madison/Middletown (fare-free on Sundays) - Bus stop is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
- Clinton Trolley (fare-free Thursday through Sunday and Holidays) - Bus stop is in the park at the Middle Beach traffic circle adjacent to the Middle Beach Bathhouse.
- The Madison & Guilford XtraMile ridesharing service will be replacing the Madison Shuttle service for this year’s ParkConneCT program beginning 5/28/2024.
- CTtransit Route 201 from New Haven operates weekdays and Saturdays, connecting to the Madison & Guilford XtraMile ridesharing service serving Hammonasset.
CTrail Shore Line East Rail Connections
- River Valley Transit Route 645 and Clinton Trolley service are accessible from the Clinton train station.
For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit the rail operator’s website, the bus operator’s trip planner page, Transit App, and Google Transit – just enter your trip starting point.
Silver Sands State Park, Milford
Milford Transit District
Silver Sands State Park Webpage
Bus Connections:
- Milford Route 3 – Bus stop is at the “Fisherman’s Lot” at the end of East Broadway
- Silver Sands Shuttle (fare-free Weekends and Holidays) – Bus stop is at the boardwalk inside the park
- CTtransit Routes 261 and 271 from New Haven operate daily, meeting the Silver Sands Shuttle route at the CT Post Mall.
Note: Milford bus routes are not in Google Transit or Apple maps. 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:
- Silver Sands Shuttle service available at Milford Train Station
For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit the rail operator’s website.
Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden
CTtransit New Haven Division
Sleeping Giant State Park Webpage
Bus Connections:
- 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.
- CTtransit Route 229: New Haven – Waterbury
Trail Connections:
CT Rail Connections (Hartford Line/Shore Line East/New Haven Line)
- Visitors can indirectly connect to routes 228 and 229 at the New Haven Green by taking the Union Station/Green Shuttle from New Haven Union Station (which operates approximately every 20 minutes starting at 6:05 a.m.) or walking from State Street Station to the Green.
No Child Left Inside®(NCLI) and ParkConneCT will pilot a program that aims to provide guided bus excursions from the Hartford area to NCLI events and other recreation activities.
Data used from the 2017 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) indicated a need for transportation to and from CT State parks and beaches. The data was used to implement the ParkConneCT program. The 2023 Statewide survey conducted by Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in partnership with DEEP uncovered two new major barriers to outdoor recreation. The two real or perceived barriers are lack of awareness and lack of parking. The revised ParkConneCT program aims to address these while continuing to push for equitable access to parks. As DEEP and DOT expand efforts for equitable access to parks, ParkConneCT and NCLI will schedule park excursions from various locations for a day at a park. Our vision is to increase equitable access to parks and foster awareness of programming in State Parks by offering the ParkConneCT excursion experience to families. These excursions will provide meaningful connections and experiences to State Parks and Forests.
August 3, 2024: Dino Day at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill-August 3, 2024 from 10 am to 3 pm with free, fun and educational outdoor and indoor science activities, games, hikes, live animals, demonstrations, food and more.
August 10, 2024: Saltwater Fishing Day at Fort Trumbull State Park Fishing Pier in New London, CT-August 10, 2024, from 10 am to 3 pm-join the NCLI Program in partnership with Fish with CARE and Saltwater Fish (all gear and bait is provided as well as instruction). When finished with fishing-take a guided or self-guided tour of the Visitor’s Center and Fort with a member of the Friends Group, ride the water taxi and picnic on the grounds, and take in the views of Long Island Sound.
For more information and to sign up for the excursions, please complete the Interest Form.
Also make sure to check out DEEP's Passport to the Parks program. Anyone in a Connecticut-registered vehicle can park free of charge at all CT State Parks and Forests year-round.
