Politics & Government

Sun, Sand.... and Twitter?

DEP offers updated information on State Parks through social media.

So, you planned on spending part of the Fourth of July weekend at one of Connecticut's state beaches, but the parking lot is full and now you're now stuck with a car full of kids and no backup plan.

This scenario is enough to ruin anyone's holiday (or day at the beach).

The good news is the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Connecticut’s State Parks are now taking advantage of social media to provide the public with the latest information about the parks – including the availability of parking spaces at the three major shoreline beaches. DEP is using Twitter to let the public know when parking lots are filled to capacity at Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme and Sherwood Island State Park, Westport. 

Find out what's happening in Rocky Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Twitter will also be used to inform the public about traffic at the entrance gate, the status of swim areas and special events at the three parks. Visitors can follow these three state parks on Twitter @:

“With a holiday weekend and many beautiful summer weekends ahead, Twitter will help us let people know if parking lots are full or open and what is going on at Hammonasset, Sherwood Island, and Rocky Neck.  Twitter is a great way for us to put information right at the fingertips of beachgoers,” says DEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Frechette.

Find out what's happening in Rocky Hillwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

DEP has also established a State Parks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CTStateParks, which features information about Connecticut’s 107 state parks and 32 state forests, including press releases, special events, where to go for featured activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing or kayaking throughout the summer and throughout the whole year.

Additional websites include: 


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