May 12, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Sarah Melnitsky, Cronin & Company, Inc., (860) 659-0514 smelnitsky@cronin-co.com

Dennis Schain, DEP Office of Communications, (860) 424-3110 dennis.schain@po.state.ct.us

THE GREAT PARK PURSUIT 2007 KICKS-OFF AT BEARDSLEY PARK

Over 750 Connecticut Families to Participate in Seven-Week Outdoor Adventure

BRIDGEPORT/CONN. May 12, 2007 - More than 750 families from across the state began a seven-week adventure today that will take them on an interactive tour of Connecticut State Parks, Forests and Recreation Areas. These families joined Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Gina McCarthy to officially kick-off The Great Park Pursuit 2007 at Beardsley Park in Bridgeport, Conn. The game is part of the statewide No Child Left Inside℠ initiative introduced one year ago by Governor M. Jodi Rell and aimed at getting children and families to take time away from their computer and television sets to get back outside and rediscover the beauty and importance of the state's natural resources.

After welcoming the excited crowd and acknowledging the generous support of game partners, Lieutenant Governor Fedele and DEP Commissioner McCarthy helped children and families stock Bunnells Pond with trout as part of the statewide Family Fishing Day, an urban initiative of the DEP. Families then participated in various activities such as hiking and fishing; enjoyed exciting games including "Net the Fish" and "Clam Free"; and made fun crafts such as fish prints and bubbles. Registered teams were also able to enter Beardsley Zoo at no cost, an opportunity made possible in part by the Zoo and Bank of America. Free fishing poles were also provided to families that presented a fishing license or purchased one at the park - another opportunity sponsored in part by Bank of America.

Registered teams that attended the event are now eligible to win fabulous grand prize packages, including outdoor equipment packages provided by North Cove Outfitters of Old Saybrook and Ski Market with various locations throughout Connecticut and New England.

"The Great Park Pursuit was extremely successful in its inaugural year last spring, which is why we decided to bring the game back and offer the adventure for Connecticut families to enjoy in 2007 as well," said Commissioner McCarthy. "We are once again delighted and encouraged by the tremendous response to this game. Our goal is to get more children and families to our State Parks and Forests to enjoy the beauty, history, recreational and educational opportunities they offer. Families responded by accepting The Great Park Pursuit challenge, allowing them to experience our state parks and forests and their many resources first hand."

After the official announcement was made in March that The Great Park Pursuit would once again be offered in 2007, families flocked in droves to the campaign website - www.nochildleftinside.org - to register for the game. In just a few short weeks, more than 750 teams totaling over 3,000 people signed up for the game. The contest is open to families consisting of at least one person 18 years of age or over and one person under the age of 18. Last year Connecticut families were full of variety, from grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and uncles with nieces and nephews, and even Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

The Great Park Pursuit 2007 will take Connecticut families on a journey to seven different State Parks, Forests and Recreation Areas over a seven-week period. At each location, teams will be asked to complete various activities such as scavenger hunts, hiking, fishing and more. At the end of each task, families will receive a clue to the following week's park or forest. Additional clues to the location will be available on the campaign web site.

Family teams will be awarded 10 points for each park where at least one activity has been completed. Teams with the most points - generally those that have visited all parks in the game - will be deemed semi-finalists and will be required to take a short "quiz" with questions pertaining to what they have learned and experienced throughout the adventure. Top point scorers will then compete in a final park challenge to determine the winners, who will receive one of the three grand prize packages.

This year, teams will have the unique opportunity to take advantage of free transportation to select parks in The Great Park Pursuit 2007 thanks in large part to Aquarion Water Company. By spearheading and contributing to a business campaign that raised $10,000, the public water supply company has made it possible for the DEP to provide buses from Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven for today's event and other game dates.

"This is a great public/private partnership that helps expand the reach of the No Child Left Inside initiative and helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend game events," said Commissioner McCarthy. "In addition to the convenience of bus transportation, Aquarion's support allows participants to reach select events in an environmentally friendly way."

Registered families also have the opportunity to create their own personal family page on the campaign website. Many teams have already posted photos and comments to express their excitement for the game. Teams are encouraged to track their progress throughout the adventure with additional pictures and stories.

Families that missed the registration cut-off are encouraged to continue visiting the No Child Left Inside website to learn more about Connecticut's State Parks and Forests and receive information on other programs. Details on various activities and events will be posted to the site, and people can sign-up to receive information on future campaign initiatives.

"We want to thank everyone for their interest in this endeavor, and all the activities associated with the DEP's No Child Left Inside initiative," added Commissioner McCarthy. "Connecticut has many wonderful outdoor opportunities for families to enjoy and we urge people to visit the beaches and trails in our state parks and forests to fully understand how wonderful they are!"

The No Child Left Inside campaign was created by the DEP to raise awareness for the recreational activities available at the state's 137 State Parks and Forests, attract families to the parks and build enthusiasm for the outdoors among children. The Great Park Pursuit 2007, The Connecticut State Parks Family Adventure is being executed by the DEP with support from the Friends of Connecticut State Parks, Connecticut Forest and Park Association, WFSB-TV/3, North Cove Outfitters, Ski Market, Bank of America, New Britain Rock Cats, Aquarion Water Company, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Dermatone Laboratories and Subway.