“Connecticut” and “National Park” might not be an oft-made association, but National Park Service units in Connecticut saw more than 21,000 visitors in 2012 who spent more than $1.2 million, which in turn generated 14 jobs. This is according to a recently released report by the National Park Service. The report claims that this activity yielded a total economic output of $1.4 million.
To give context for these totals, Connecticut’s 21,465 visitors in 2012 places it 49th on the list of states, ahead of Delaware. Topping the list was California, with more than 36 million visitors in 2012, who spent more than $1.5 billion.
Connecticut’s most notable National Park Service unit is Weir Farm National Historic Site in Ridgefield. The site is the location of the home and studio of Julian Alden Weir, a noted American Impressionist painter.
Connecticut is also home to a portion of the Appalachian Trail, which is a National Scenic Trail; a portion of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valleys, a National Heritage Corridor; and a portion of the Washington-Rochembau National Historic Trail (Washington really did sleep here!).
