The ParkConneCT Program Connects You To Connecticut State Parks!

The Connecticut Departments of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection are pleased to announce the ParkConneCT program, a collaboration of CTDOT and CT DEEP. This program aims to provide safe and reliable transportation within a 10 minute walk to Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, Bluff Point, Fort Trumbull and Sleeping Giant State Parks.

The ParkConneCT Pilot Program will run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (05/29/2021 to 09/06/2021). The Silver Sands Shuttle, Madison Shuttle and Clinton Trolley operate fare-free, 7 days a week through Labor Day. All other public buses statewide will operate without collecting fares on Saturdays, Sundays (if operating), Memorial Day, Independence Day (observed 07/05/2021) and Labor Day as part of the Weekend Wheels program promotion. Connections to the parks listed above are available from nearby train stations, providing access to the parks on a regional basis.

Please visit each transit operator’s website below for assistance on planning transit to the park and the individual park websites to see what amenities are available at that location. Restrooms, shelters, and concessions vary from park to park and may not be available at all locations.

Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison

Bus Connections:

Estuary 641: Old Saybrook/Madison (fare-free on weekends and holidays)

• Bus stop for this route is located at Route 1 & Hammonasset
• Walking directions to the Park from this stop: Follow the paved recreation path through the campground and to the beach (0.7 miles to the beach)
• CTtransit Route 201 from New Haven operates weekdays and Saturdays, meeting the Estuary 641 route serving Hammonasset.

For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please Estuary Transit.

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden

Bus Connections:

• Route 228: Whitney Avenue (fare-free on weekends and holidays)
• Bus stop is at Whitney Avenue & Mt. Carmel Avenue. Follow the sidewalk along Mount Carmel Avenue east for 0.3 miles, to the main entrance to the Park.
• Route 229: New Haven – Waterbury (fare-free on weekends and holidays)
• Bus stop is at Whitney Avenue & Mt. Carmel Avenue. Follow the sidewalk along Mount Carmel Avenue east for 0.3 miles, to the main entrance to the Park.

Trail Connections:

• Farmington Canal Heritage Trail

 CTrail Connections (Hartford Line/Shore Line East/New Haven Line)

• Visitors can indirectly connect to routes 228 and 229 at the New Haven Green by taking the Union Station/Green Shuttle on weekdays from New Haven Union Station or walking from State Street Station to the Green.

Silver Sands State Park, Milford

Bus Connections:

Silver Sands Shuttle operated by Milford Transit District (fare-free, 7 days/week)

• Bus stop is at the boardwalk inside the park
• CTtransit Routes 261 and 271 from New Haven operate daily, meeting the Silver Sands Shuttle route at the CT Post Mall.
• For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit the bus operator’s website.