The Great Park Pursuit 2020-15th Anniversary

CT State Parks Family Adventure 

GPP families and fireman

CT State Parks Family Adventure

Our 15th Annual No Child Left Inside® Great Park Pursuit (GPP): CT State Parks Adventure will begin on May 9, 2020. There will be 7 guided events and 2 semi-guided events:

Event 1:  May 9, 2020 will kick-off our GPP adventure with FREE Family Fishing Day at Osbornedale State Park in Derby in partnership with CARE. The event will be a guided event from 9 am to 3 pm.

Event 2:  May 16, 2020 will be Kids to Parks Day at Black Rock State Park in Watertown.  Families will enjoy a fun day of outdoor play with discovery and exploration.   The event will be a guided event from 9 am to 3 pm.  

Event 3:  May 23-25, 2020 will be DEEP Open House Weekend (semi-guided event) at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam; Fort Trumbull State Park in New London; Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby and Meigs Point Nature Center in Madison.   The event is a semi-guided event - you pick a day, and location, take a selfie with our Mascot Nuts 2 or by the Great Park Pursuit Open House signage and send it in to receive credit for attending. Times will vary.  More information to follow.

Event 4:  May 30, 2020 will be History Day at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London.  The event will be a guided event from 9 am to 3 pm. 

Event 5:  June 6th and 7th 2020 will be CT Trails Day Weekend (semi-guided event).  Hike a trail at a variety of locations across CT. Great Park Pursuit sponsored hikes and walks will be posted at a later date.

Event 6:  June 13, 2020 will be Boating Day and Campout at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold.  The event will be a guided event from 9 am to 3 pm.   The campout will be for GPP teams/families as well as DEEP staff/volunteers and will begin at 4:30 pm at the Hopeville Pond Campground.  

Event 7:  August 8, 2020 Saltwater Fishing Day at Fort Trumbull State Park fishing pier in New London,  in partnership with CARE.  The event will be a guided fishing event from 10 am to 3 pm.

Event 8: September 12, 2020 Discover Outdoor CT Day at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.  More information to follow.  

Event 9:  October 17, 2020 will be the GPP Finale with the Fall Family Festival at Goodwin Conservation Center/Goodwin State Forest in Hampton.  More information to follow.  

All events are free.  We encourage families/teams to register. However, even if you aren't registered, you are welcome to attend all events (however you will not be eligible for prizes).

Join the 9-week Great Park Pursuit Family Adventure and celebrate our 15th Anniversary by having fun, while learning and playing outdoors in our CT State Parks and Forests.

Please continue to visit the GPP pages for additional information for the 2020 season.  

 mom with kids and GPP map