Two decades, three requests for zoning changes and a handful of lawsuits since the Seaside Regional Center for the developmentally disabled was vacated, state officials have decided upon a new fate for the state-owned parcel once destined for private development.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced last week that the state has terminated its contract to sell Seaside to developer Mark Steiner and will instead make the Waterford waterfront parcel a state park.

The park would likely contain simple public facilities such as a picnic shelter with tables, according to the governor. Details such as whether swimming would be permitted on the property and the costs of repairing the seawall along the shoreline portion of the parcel are still being ironed out, according to Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee.

The DEEP plans to hold public hearings in Waterford to involve residents and town officials in planning of the park.

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