Dart Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dart Island State Park |
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Looking south to the Connecticut River:
Dart Island (left) on the east side of a narrow, protected cove |
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 Dart Island State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Middletown, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 19 acres (7.7 ha) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1918 |
| Named for | Russell Dart |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Dart Island State Park |
Dart Island State Park is a special place in Connecticut. It's a public park that includes a 19-acre island. This island is actually a sandbar in the Connecticut River.
You can only reach Dart Island by boat. It's located near the city of Middletown. The island is covered with trees like willow, poplar, and red maple. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection looks after the park. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and watching birds there.
History of Dart Island
This island was once used by fishermen. They built a small shed and set up equipment. They used it to catch hickory shad fish from the river.
In 1918, a man named Russell Dart gave the island to the state. At that time, it was about 1.5 acres. The state then made it Connecticut's fifteenth state park. They named it after Russell Dart to honor him.
For many years, official papers said the park was two acres. Unofficially, some even called it one acre. In 1924, some people said it was the smallest state park in the whole United States!
Later, in 2012, the official size of the park was updated. It was then listed as 19 acres, which is its true size today.
The state has no plans to build anything on Dart Island. It is kept natural for everyone to enjoy.
What to Do at the Park
Dart Island State Park is a great spot for outdoor activities. You can go boating on the river. It's also a good place for fishing. Many people enjoy bird watching here too.
Remember, the park is only reachable by water. There are no buildings or facilities for visitors on the island. It's a natural escape!
