Region 1: EPA New England
Questions About Your Community: Parks
There are literally thousands of parks, forests, and recreation sites across the United States. They range from huge national parks, such as Yellowstone, Acadia, the Grand Canyon, and Everglades, to community "pocket"parks, with a corresponding range of recreational opportunities and outdoor experiences. Federally managed areas alone include 371 national parks, 422 national wildlife refuges, 114 national forests, over 500 sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, and 457 sites managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. A number of other federal agencies also support recreational uses associated with trails, waterways, and maintenance activities. This same breadth of opportunities also appears at the state and local levels, and also includes non-governmental sites managed by organizations such the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, and others.
But with this broad range of recreational sites and parks comes an equally broad range of environmental issues. Just as in any other land uses, the way parks are managed can have good or bad environmental impacts, from pesticide runoff, siltation from overused hiking and logging trails, and destruction of habitat.
Below is a list of sources to help you reach organizations that manage national and state parks here in New England. Your state contacts can also help you find out more about local parks and recreation sites.
This page provides links to non-EPA web sites that provide additional information about Parks. You will leave the EPA.gov domain and enter another page with more information. EPA cannot attest to the accuracy of information on that non-EPA page. Providing links to a non-EPA Web site is not an endorsement of the other site or the information it contains by EPA or any of its employees. Also, be aware that the privacy protection provided on the EPA.gov domain (see Privacy and Security Notice) may not be available at the external link. 
| State | |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | |
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection State Parks Division Manages 93 State Parks including
13 historical and cultural sites, 31 State Forests,
nine State Monuments, and 108 state-owned boat launch
areas. They manage a system of campgrounds in State
Parks and Forests as well as a system of recreational
trails. The Parks Division works cooperatively with
municipal park and recreation programs to increase recreational
programming. They also offer environmental education
and interpretive programs at various sites. |
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| Maine | |
Maine Department of Conservation Bureau of Parks and Lands Regional Offices State Parks Southern Region State Parks Northern Region Public Lands Northern Region Public Lands Western Region Public Lands Eastern Region |
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| New Hampshire | |
New Hampshire Division of Parks |
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| Massachusetts | |
For information on parks in Massachusetts contact the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management at one of the following numbers: Boston: (617) 727-3180 |
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| Rhode Island | |
The Department of Environmental Management includes two divisions with primary responsibility for parks and recreational facilities, as well as the forest environment division, which also has some functions related to recreation. The Division of Parks and Recreation manages a system of approximately 14,000 acres of parks, beaches, campgrounds, bicycle paths, parkways, a golf course, and numerous smaller properties and historical sites, including 14 state parks and 7 state beaches. Division of Parks The Division of Fish and Wildlife operates 24 wildlife management areas and more than 100 boat launch ramps and sportfishing access sites and is responsible for fisheries management, including hatcheries and stocking programs; habitat restoration; land acquisition; public access, education, and information; and public angling and hunting programs. Division
of Fish and Wildlife |
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| Vermont | |
The State Parks Division of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation manages state parks in Vermont. The division manages 51 state parks which provide opportunities for picnicking, swimming, camping and other outdoor recreational activities. Summer Series, an arts program in the parks is held annually, and selected parks also provide interpretive and educational opportunities. Several parks offer spacious meeting and gathering facilities. Park operations personnel are based out of four regional offices, located in North Springfield, Pittsford, Essex Junction, and Barre. The main number for the State Parks Division is (802) 241-3655 or http://www.vtstateparks.com . |
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