Lamont announces initiative promoting outdoor recreation

Lamont announces initiative promoting outdoor recreation

Gov. Ned Lamont made a stop at Mohawk Mountain State Park Ski Area for a press conference about outdoor recreation, Jan. 11.

Photo by Riley Klein

CORNWALL — Gov. Ned Lamont visited the Northwest Corner on Thursday, Jan. 11, to unveil a new push to improve and promote outdoor recreation in the state.

Attendance at state parks has risen from about 10 million guests in 2019 to roughly 17 million guests in 2022, making state parks the top tourist destinations in Connecticut.

The press conference was held at Mohawk Mountain, a private ski lodge situated within a state park in Cornwall. Mohawk maintains a longterm lease of the land to offer year-round activities. Guests can hit the slopes in the winter months, hike the trails in the summer, or take part in community events throughout the year such as job fairs, craft fairs, and rummage sales.

Lamont’s outdoor recreation initiative was designed to improve on the existing amenities at state parks while supporting new public-private ventures that operate similarly to Mohawk Mountain.

As the second largest outdoor recreation economy in New England, Lamont said Connecticut will “do everything we can to protect and expand that open space.”

“We can make sure we bring people to our parks and maximize use out of that,” said Lamont. “You can come and really enjoy yourself here.”

The state has designated $80 million in funds to put toward the initiative. The funding will be used to improve and repair facilities while also seeking to partner with the private sector to improve activities and services at state parks.

To accomplish this goal, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) created the Outdoor Industry and Experience Office to head up the initiative and oversee the new Partnership for Parks program.

“DEEP is launching today a request for information where we’re going to be seeking concepts from nonprofits, from businesses and individuals who have ideas about public-private partnerships that we can launch that will expand the types of services and amenities that visitors to our state parks can enjoy,” said DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.

Dykes said potential partnerships could include equipment rentals, event hosting and increased concessions. Through this initiative the state intends to build on the success of existing agreements, such as the one at Mohawk Mountain, Essex steam train, and Farmington River tubing.

“In the Northwest Corner, we are very lucky to be so rich in natural beauty,” said State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64). “Our economic development is intimately tied to that natural beauty.”

“When you talk about outdoor recreation, when you talk about beauty, it starts with the Northwest Corner,” said State Sen. Stephen Harding (R-30). “Let’s work on our open space and preservation.”

“Come on down to Mohawk,” said Lamont. “I’ll be out there. Hope you are, too.”

Latest News

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.