On Sunday, July 3, Squantz Pond was at capacity and closed for car traffic by 9 AM, and on Monday, July 4, the park was full by 8:15 AM.

The problem was that walk-ins were flowing into the park. New Fairfield First Selectman, Susan Chapman told the NewsTimes that it was a disaster! Hundreds of park goers from all over the tri-state area searched for parking on side streets and parking lots, and some even knocked on homeowner's doors asking permission to park in their driveways.

Even though the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reduced the limit of cars entering the park on Sunday from 250 to 200, Chapman said it just exacerbated the problem. She personally monitored the overcrowding situation saying that she witnessed hopeful park goers walking along Rt. 37 to reach Squantz Pond on foot, which she claimed was very unsafe.

Entrance to Squantz Pond State Park - Google Instant View
Entrance to Squantz Pond State Park - Google Instant View
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Chapman tweeted a photo of the walk-ins streaming into the park, which Danbury Mayor, Mark Boughton, re-tweeted. The Connecticut Democratic leadership called the tweet, racist, saying that they were classifying the people of color as second class citizens. Chapman fired back saying that she was trying to protect these people who were walking along the main roads and the drivers who had to maneuver around them. DEEP is currently working on legislation to prohibit walk-ins at Squantz Pond State Park.

 

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