June 23, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

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

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

OVER $10,000 IN PRIZES AWARDED AT THE GREAT PARK PURSUIT 2007 FINALE

Families Complete Connecticut Department of Environmental Protections’ Seven-Week Outdoor Adventure at Hopeville Pond State Park

GRISWOLD/CONN. June 23, 2007 – After visiting six different parks and forests throughout the state as part of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Great Park Pursuit adventure – which was back for a second year of play – over 150 families converged at Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold on Saturday, June 23, to partake in the seventh and final event in the multi-week game. Three families emerged as grand prize winners, receiving valuable outdoor equipment packages provided by North Cove Outfitters of Old Saybrook and Ski Market, with stores throughout Connecticut. All teams in attendance received parting gifts. The value of prizes awarded totaled over $10,000.

The Brackett family of Naugatuck (a.k.a "Team Picnic") walked away as the top prize winners, taking home the “outdoor excursion” package complete with a tent, sleeping bags, telescope, GPS device, snow shoes and various additional gadgets and equipment to use at State Parks and Forests throughout the year. Runners up included the Gray-Linden family of New Britain (a.k.a. team "Linden Family 3+2"), who took home a kayak package, and the Young family of Monroe (a.k.a team "Young Explorers"), who won a bicycle package.

The winning families were among more than 750 of teams from across the state that signed-up to participate in the game, which kicked off on May 12 at Beardsley Park in Bridgeport. The game is part of No Child Left Inside℠ – a statewide initiative launched last year by Governor M. Jodi Rell aimed at raising awareness for the State Parks and Forests and building enthusiasm for the outdoors among children.

“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 DEP Commissioner Gina 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.”

In fact, nearly 150 families attended all parks on the game schedule – where they enjoyed a variety of fun and educational activities – and were qualified as semi-finalists for a chance to win outdoor equipment packages.

At Hopeville Pond State Park, the semi-finalists were required to take a short quiz on The Great Park Pursuit 2007, which tested teams on the parks they had visited. The top scorers then moved on to a final slingshot competition, where teams launched objects towards a target – the objects being rolls of toilet paper and the target being an outhouse (a humorous display). The three teams landing closest to the target were deemed the 2007 grand prize winners. All families attending the final event received parting gifts as mementos of their participation.

“The event at Hopeville Pond State Park was the perfect way to wrap up this exciting game,” said Commissioner McCarthy. “Every step of this journey has allowed participating families to experience our State Parks and Forests and their many resources first hand.”

During The Great Park Pursuit 2007, Connecticut families decoded clues and journeyed to different State Parks, Forests and Recreation Areas over a seven-week period. At each location, teams were asked to complete various activities such as scavenger hunts, hikes, fishing contests and more. At the end of each task, families received a clue to the following week’s park or forest.

Registered families also had the opportunity to create their own personal family page on the campaign web site, www.nochildleftinside.org. Many teams posted photos and comments to track their game progress.

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 was 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. For more information, visit www.nochildleftinside.org.