National Park Service A Study of the Park and Recreation Problem of the United States

APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT of this State's people live in a strip of territory through the central-southwestern region, including the three contiguous counties of Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield.

This dense population is characterized by intensive industrial and agricultural activity. Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport serve as the busy productive centers around which cluster many smaller cities and towns.

Nearly 50 percent of the gainful workers are engaged in manufacturing and mechanical industries, while another 25 percent are employed in the trades and professional services.

Its principal recreational resource is its water resources, 245 miles of salt-water shore line, 7,619 miles of rivers and streams, and more than 1,000 lakes and ponds. Its excellent summer climate also attracts summer vacationists and summer-home developments for people living in the metropolitan New York region.

According to an estimate of the Connecticut Park and Forest Commission, the State now has in its park system about one-third of the acreage required to meet the State's recreational needs. While its parks are well distributed over the State, those which serve the principal population centers are much too small to meet the demand made on them. A great deal of additional ocean frontage is also needed, as are facilities for camping, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

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¹ There are 143 waysides with a total acreage of 71.5. Only those of 1 acre or more are shown.

² Soil Conservation areas transferred to the State for administration.

³ Military reservation.