If you’ve ever wanted to go paddling but don’t own a kayak or paddleboard, visitors can now rent kayaks and paddleboards at five Connecticut state parks.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently announced new canoe, kayak and/or stand-up paddleboard rental services at five state parks: Burr Pond State Park in Torrington, Indian Well State Park in Shelton, Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent, Mount Tom State Park in Litchfield, and Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield.
This is the first year of multi-year contracts DEEP agreed to with four paddlecraft vendors to provide rental services for the next three summers. The rental operators include:
- Candlewood Kayak Rental is offering kayak and paddleboard rentals at Squantz Pond State Park in New Fairfield
- Litchfield Paddle is offering kayak and paddleboard rentals at Mount Tom State Park and Lake Waramaug State Park
- Main Stream Canoe and Kayaks is offering paddlecraft rentals at Burr Pond State Park
- Scoot and Paddle is offering kayak and paddleboard rentals at Indian Well State Park
Last year, DEEP piloted a program for renting kayaks and paddleboards at Burr Pond and Lake Waramaug State Parks.
DEEP officials said the program proved so popular, they’ve continued to offers services at the parks this year and expanded it to the three other parks.
DEEP officials said businesses, non-profits, or individuals interested in partnering with Connecticut State Parks to expand outdoor opportunities can submit proposals to DEEP’s Partnerships in Parks Request for Information (RFI), which accepts submissions on a rolling basis.
