Forests, fields are vital to recreation, tourism business in Northwest Corner

State parks and forests define the landscape of the Northwest Corner. Every town here has at least one. They often stretch for miles, giving area towns their rugged, woodsy character. Area residents treasure the acres of open space that surround them. And so, it turns out, do out-of-towners. A recently released study shows that tourists and residents spent more than $1 billion in 2010 on outdoor activities related to Connecticut state parks and forests.The University of Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis conducted the study, titled “The Economic Impact of State Parks, Forests and Natural Resources under the Management of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).”The DEEP is decidedly happy with the results, which should have a positive impact on policy and budget decisions.“It is no secret that Connecticut has some of the most beautiful state parks and forests in the country that provide countless outdoor recreational activities to our resident and visitors,” DEEP Commissioner Daniel Esty said in a press release. “This study now demonstrates that our parks and forests also make a significant contribution to our state’s economy. With the support of Governor Malloy, the General Assembly and all our partners, DEEP works hard to maintain and improve our parks and forests for the enjoyment of all — and we now see from even a bottom line perspective that it is time and money well spent.”An estimated $38 in economic activity is generated for every dollar invested in the state park system.The revenue comes from fees for camping and boating and licenses for hunting and fishing. Recreational boating accounted for $37 million, hunting for $100 million and fishing for $264 million for licensing and related activities. It is interesting to note that more than half that $1 billion was spent on activities related to park visits, such as lodging, meals and groceries. A park visit may not have been the sole destination, but the study makes it clear the recreational activities offered are a primary draw for tourists.Both tourists and residents are spending money renting watercraft, buying equipment and frequenting eateries. This accounts for nearly 9,000 private sector jobs and $343 million in income for residents, according to the report.State-owned open space totals about 250,000 acres. That proximity increases the value of abutting properties, and those larger property assessments add an estimated $3.1 million to $5.4 million in municipal property taxes.A look at a map of state recreational land shows that it is mainly clustered along the south shore and in the less developed northwest and northeast corners of the state. But more populated areas have an abundance of parks, mainly centered on lakes for swimming and boating, that draw vast numbers of visitors. With the Appalachian Trail running through the Northwest Corner, hikers make up the larger percentage of recreational enthusiasts here. Forestland is found in greater abundance. Permanently protected open space includes privately held conservation land. The amount of protected land ranges in the six Region One towns from 13.5 percent in North Canaan to 46 percent in Falls Village, according to Tim Abbott, director of the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Project, which maps open space here. Those preserved properties are mainly forest uplands and wetlands — as opposed to farmland or lowland forest.Across Connecticut, there are 65 state parks and 25 state forests. Among the largest are Housatonic State Forest (in Sharon, Cornwall and Falls Village) and Wyantenock, which is in Cornwall, Warren and Kent.Sharon has Housatonic Meadows State Park. Cornwall has Mohawk Mountain ski area, which is on state forest land. Kent has Kent Falls and Macedonia Brook state parks. North Canaan has the tiny, but history-rich Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument State Park.To the east, Norfolk boasts Campbell Falls, Haystack Mountain and Dennis Hill state parks. State forest land is prevalent along the northern edge of the state through Colebrook, Barkhamsted and New Hartford, including Satan’s Kingdom, Tunxis, Nepaug, American Legion, People’s and Algonquin state forests. Platt Hill State Park is in Winsted.