Legislators ‘adopt’ parks

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State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) poses for a photo with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Dan Esty during the Friends of CT State Parks Day event at the Capitol earlier this week. –CONTRIBUTED
State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) poses for a photo with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Dan Esty during the Friends of CT State Parks Day event at the Capitol earlier this week. –CONTRIBUTED

HARTFORD — State representatives Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) and David Labriola (R-131) adopted parks in their community this week during the Friends of CT State Parks Day event at the Capitol.

Both the Whittemore Glen State Park and the Naugatuck State Forest were “adopted” during the event, which also celebrated the 100 year anniversary of Connecticut’s State Park system.

“The state parks, town parks, and open spaces in our community are important places for relaxation and family recreation. I am proud to adopt both the Whittemore Glen State Park located in Naugatuck and the Naugatuck State Forest, which spans the towns of Naugatuck, Oxford and Beacon Falls,” Rebimbas said in a statement. “The parks, and once completed, the greenway, will be a great attraction for people to come visit the borough and hopefully take advantage of our local restaurants and other businesses while they are here. I look forward to promoting these parks.”

Legislators who “Adopt A Park” affirm their commitment to acknowledge the state parks in their district, visit the parks to understand its assets and needs, work with existing organizations to launch an annual event at the parks in 2013 and publicize their parks and help advocate for the needs of the state park system.

“The parks and forests of Connecticut are important natural habitats and the Naugatuck State Forest is a prime example,” Labriola said in a statement. “Besides being great for hiking and observing nature, they are valuable state assets that provide jobs to the local community. Promoting these spaces simply enriches our state.”