Gardner Lake State Park

Park in New London County, Connecticut, United States of America

41°30′09″N 72°13′54″W / 41.50250°N 72.23167°W / 41.50250; -72.23167Area10 acres (4.0 ha)^[1]Elevation377 ft (115 m)^[2]Established2001Administered byConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental ProtectionDesignationConnecticut state parkWebsiteOfficial website

Gardner Lake State Park is a public recreation area occupying 10 acres (4.0 ha) on the southern edge of Gardner Lake in the town of Salem, Connecticut. The state park offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming and is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.^[3]

History

For most of the 20th century, the site of the state park was a private resort. The state purchased the site in 2001 for $550,000 after previous efforts to purchase it in the 1990s by local government were rejected by voters.^[4] In 2008, the state invested $1 million dollars in improvements to the park's boat launch and parking area. Those improved facilities contributed to a marked upturn in public use.^[5]

Activities and Amenities

The park offers a swimming beach and boat launch.^[3] Gardner Lake covers 529 acres (214 ha) and is a state-designated bass management lake.^[6]

In the news

In 2012, 2013, and 2016, reports of disruptive behavior and the failure of visitors to pack out trash led to calls for increased vigilance by authorities and more cooperation from the public.^[5]^[7]^[8]

References

^ "Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests" (PDF). State Parks and Forests: Funding. Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. January 23, 2014. p. A-1. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
^ "Gardner Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
^ ^a ^b "Gardner Lake State Park". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
^ Choiniere, Paul (December 6, 2001). "State finalizes purchase of Gardner Lake Beach". The Day. New London, Conn. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
^ ^a ^b Johnson, Jeffrey A. (August 12, 2012). "Crackdown planned at Gardner Lake". The Day. New London, Conn. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
^ "2024 Fishing Guide" (PDF). Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. April 24, 2024. p. 15. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
^ Catalfamo, Kelly (August 19, 2013). "Gardner Lake Authority beset by trash problem". The Day. New London, Conn. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
^ Detelj, Tina (July 5, 2016). "Big mess left behind by beach-goers frustrates many at Gardner Lake". WTNH News 8. New Haven, Conn. Retrieved August 5, 2016.