UPDATE: Enfield State Senator Applauds DEEP Ban on Alcohol at Enfield's Scantic River State Park

Editor’s note: this story was updated to include reaction from state Sen. John Kissel of Enfield.

Excessive partying, drinking and dumping of garbage at the Scantic River State Park last summer has prompted Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to imposed a summer-long ban of alcohol possession and consumption.

“I have exercised my authority to declare a 90-day ban on alcohol at the Scantic River State Park because large numbers of people consuming large volumes of alcohol there is not a combination conducive to public safety and enjoyment of our state’s natural resources,” DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee said in his announcement.

“The ban I have issued means no alcohol at Scantic River State Park and Environmental Conservation Police officers from this agency will vigorously patrol the park to enforce this,” Klee said.

Scantic River State Park is the park along the Scantic River, located mainly in Enfield but also touching upon the towns of East Windsor and Somers. One especially popular spot is located near the Maple Street Bridge in Enfield in what is known as the Powder Hollow area.

During the past few summers, EnCon Police and DEEP State Parks staff have observed heavy consumption of alcohol at Scantic River State Park locations, leading to intoxicated visitors breaking bottles on the ground and in the water, conflicts between groups of people vying for space along the river bank, and much litter left behind.

Crowds attracted to the park also have taxed limited parking facilities leading to unsafe overflow parking on local roads.

DEEP has been working closely with Enfield Police to address the parking situation. DEEP State Parks staff have also had the support of active volunteers who have pitched in to assist in the cleanup of litter – much of it consisting of empty beer and liquor bottles — after busy weekends there.

State Sen. John Kissel applauded the state’s action.

“I thank our state environmental officials for taking this necessary step just in time for Memorial Day weekend, which marks the unofficial start of summer,” Kissel said in a statement.

“Last summer, I urged state officials to step up efforts to protect the pristine setting of the park. Many north-central Connecticut residents have expressed to me their dismay about the way the park has been treated by out-of-state visitors using the space for large barbecues, drinking and unsupervised swimming,” Kissel said.

He added, “Despite the efforts of volunteers who clean up the park, large groups who picnic and party there on weekends leave behind litter and debris. This decision will make the park safer, cleaner, and more family friendly.”

“Given the changing use and issues at the park, the time has come for us to take stronger action at Scantic River State Park” Klee said. “The vast majority of visitors to our parks enjoy themselves while following the rules and exhibiting good behavior. Unfortunately, situations do arise – like that at Scantic River State Park – where people engage in behavior that affects the experience of others.”

Photo credit: Town of Enfield website.