Your recent editorial on Seaside State Park, “Time is running out, pursue public-private plan to save Seaside,” (Feb. 22), suggests urgency is needed to “save Seaside” and that new legislation is required to appropriately repurpose historic structures and retain meaningful public access to Long Island Sound. As Connecticut’s leading advocates for establishing and operating state parks, CFPA and FCSP respectfully disagree.

Seaside State Park does not need to be saved. It is already a State Park set aside for the public’s benefit. In 2014, Seaside was the first State Park to be designated on Long Island Sound in 50 years. It is a treasure for all of the citizens of Connecticut.

Since 2014, DEEP has commissioned a Master Plan, Environmental Impact Evaluation, a public input process, and a Request for Proposals. Now, the Friends of Seaside State Park are working with DEEP and stakeholders on a revised vision for the future of Seaside.

Seaside is a magical place on just 32 acres with significant challenges associated with its development (limited parking, most of the property in FEMA flood zones, etc.).

DEEP and the Friends of Seaside should be given the time to get this once in a generation opportunity right, and neither legislation nor manufactured urgency is needed.

Eileen Grant

Co-President of Friends of CT State Parks

Eric Hammerling

Executive director of Connecticut Forest and Park Association

Rockfall