Summary

I would like to invite everyone to join me for our second summer excursion to the Brownstone Park in Portland CT on Saturday, July 16.  The first was so well received that attendees wanted another go at all the activities they missed out on the first time.  And we're doing on a different day for more people to attend.

Brownstone used to be an operating quarry until a flash flood and hurricane submerged the quarry in 1938.  Now, it has been converted into an outdoor adventure park with hiking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba, 5/10/25 ft cliff jumps, 1000 ft zip lines, a rope swing, a 100 ft water slide, giant inflatable toys, kayaking, wake boards, and 65 ft rock wall climbing.  Be as active as you want to be, or lounge on the man-made beach soaking up the sun. 

Admission is $24 for the General Pass which includes the hiking, swimming, and snorkeling.  The $34 Adventure Pass lets you do everything else, and an extra $10 rents the wakeboards.  If we get a group of 20 together, there is a discount rate.  There are park waivers to fill out, which can be done at admission or filled out beforehand from the website http://brownstonepark.com to expedite the check in.  Changing facilities, lockers, and bathrooms are all available, as well as rental gear for scuba, wet suits, and more.  Life vests or other floatation gear is mandatory and provided free to all park attendants.  Alternatively, wet suits 3 mm or thicker also count as a floatation device.

Parking is free.   You can bring food for yourself or to share with the group, or buy food available in the park.  Bring a lawn chair or towel to sit on if you want.  Alcohol and glass are not allowed into the park.

To see a YouTube video of the park go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmCeDfd1FrQ.  The posted pictures are from the first trip in June.  To read the trip report and see more pictures, go here: http://www.gayoutdoors.org/page.cfm?sectionid=103&typeofsite=trip-report&id=4281

We will be meeting at 11 AM at the life vests after getting through the entrance of the park. If you can't come then, the park is open all day and you can come any time!  I will ask the park manager for a special GO wrist band so we can make one another out in the crowd.  I will shoot for RED unless it is being used that day already.

NOTE: If weather does not permit this excursion, we will reschedule for the next best time, which might even be the day before.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Address
161 Brownstone Avenue
Portland, CT 06480
(866) 860-0208

http://brownstonepark.com/park-info/directions/

From Route 9 North or South in Middletown, proceed eastbound over the Arrigoni Bridge (Route 17) and at the fifth stop light, take a left onto Middlesex Avenue. At the stop sign, turn left onto Brownstone Avenue. Parking will be on your right.

Meet at the life vests just inside the entrance to the park.