Rocky Neck State Park

Rocky Neck State Park is a state park and beach in East Lyme, Connecticut.

History

Rocky Neck is a 710-acre recreation spot located on Long Island Sound in the town of East Lyme, Connecticut. The public now enjoys use of the park because of a few conservationists who secured the land in 1931, using their personal funds until the State Legislature authorized its purchase.Fact|date=August 2008

In the 1930s, relief agencies constructed the curved masonry building of native materials and crafted supporting pillars with wood cut from each of the state parks and forests.Fact|date=August 2008 Diverse trails within the park providewalks to the salt marsh and to such points of interest as Baker's Cave, Tony's Nose and Shipyard. Family camping within walking distance of saltwater bathing is also popular, with 160 wooded and open campsites offering vacationers overnight accommodations.

Bounded on the west by a tidal river and to the east by a broad salt marsh, Rocky Neck was known to early inhabitants as a place of abundant fish and wildlife. Today, high spring tides allow schools of herring to swim into Bride Brook toward inland spawning grounds. The osprey is a frequent early summer visitor. In the fall, cranes, herons and swans wade among cattails and rose mallow. Seasonal changes provide opportunities to fish for mackerel, striped bass, blackfish, and flounder.

Wildlife

Wildlife in the park include cranes, egrets, herons, ospreys, and gulls.

External links

*wikitravel
* [http://www.stateparks.com/rocky_neck.html Connecticut State Parks Site]
* [http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325256 Department of Environmental Protection: Rocky Neck State Park]
* [http://www.cultureandtourism.org/cct/cwp/view.asp?A=2194&Q=306548 Rocky Neck Pictures]