Is a New Connecticut State Park Coming to Middletown?

Middletown could soon see a new state park in its southern reaches, thanks to legislation proposed by State Rep. Brandon Chafee.

The idea centers on preserving and integrating roughly 2,000 acres of forested open space in the Maromas section of the city, near the Connecticut River and adjacent to several reservoirs, community college property, and existing trailheads.

As a Middletown native and avid outdoorsman, Chafee has long enjoyed the area’s trails, brooks, and granite ledges.

The proposed park would protect these features while providing a recreation area for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers.

Currently, the project is in its early stages, with research ongoing to determine land ownership and assess feasibility.

This initiative reflects Middletown’s broader commitment to open space preservation.

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In past decades, the city has secured hundreds of acres of land previously associated with Connecticut Valley Hospital and other parcels, maintaining Maromas as a pristine New England forest. Once called Middletown’s “Last Great Place” by Ellen Lukens, a former member of the local Commission on Conservation & Agriculture, Maromas also holds historical significance, having once been home to small farms and a feldspar quarry.

By converting this “patchwork” of parcels into an official state park, Chafee and his cosponsors hope to safeguard the land for future generations, ensuring that the natural beauty and ecological value of Middletown’s Maromas region remain intact.

This initiative would add to Connecticut’s impressive network of 142 state parks and forests.

Together, these protected lands cover over 255,000 acres of coastline, rolling hills, and lush forests, offering everything from sandy beaches and shimmering lakes to ancient rock formations and dinosaur footprints.

With so many scenic places to hike, explore, and unwind, the state’s outdoor treasures are always within reach, and this proposed Middletown park would be another gem in Connecticut’s collection.

You can learn more about this bill and track its status by visiting CGA.CT.gov.

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