George Dudley Seymour State Park

{{Short description|State park in Middlesex County, Connecticut}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = George Dudley Seymour State Park

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| photo = Clarkhurst Road, Haddam Neck CT.jpg

| photo_caption = Clarkhurst Road (now a trail)

| map = USA Connecticut#USA

| map_caption = Location in Connecticut

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| location = Haddam, Connecticut, United States

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| coordinates = {{coord|41|30|32|N|72|32|35|W|display=inline,title}}

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| area_acre = 222

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| elevation = {{convert|131|ft|m|abbr=on}}{{cite gnis|207279|George Dudley Seymour State Park}}

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| designation = Connecticut state park

| established = 1960

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| administrator = Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

| website = [http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=446328 George Dudley Seymour State Park]

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George Dudley Seymour State Park is a public recreation area occupying {{convert|222|acre}} on the east bank of the Connecticut River in the town of Haddam, Connecticut. Hurd State Park abuts the park to the north. The park bears the name of George Dudley Seymour (1859-1945), whose philanthropic efforts enabled the state to purchase land for this and several other Connecticut state parks. It is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

History

The park was once the site of Clarkhurst, the estate of wealthy Higganum harrow manufacturers George, Henry and Thomas Clark. In addition to living at Clarkhurst, the family used the land as a testing ground for agricultural equipment. Henry Clark's daughter, who took possession in 1921, sought to develop the site for recreational use but the property saw steady decline with the coming of the Great Depression. It was owned by Marion Gutherie from 1942 until 1960, when it was purchased by the state for $60,000 using funds provided by the George Dudley Seymour Foundation.

Activities and amenities

Visitors to the park find a small parking area and hiking trails with interpretive signage. Hunting, fishing, and cross-country skiing are also offered.

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=446328 |title=George Dudley Seymour State Park |work=State Parks and Forests |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2016}} Seymour's largess contributed to the creation of Beaver Brook, Becket Hill, Bigelow Hollow, Hurd, Millers Pond, Platt Hill, George Dudley Seymour, and Stoddard Hill state parks as well as Nathan Hale State Forest.

{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/pri/docs/2013/State%20Parks%20and%20Forests%20Funding%20Staff%20Findings%20and%20Recommendations%20.pdf |title=Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests |work=State Parks and Forests: Funding |series=Staff Findings and Recommendations |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |date=January 23, 2014 |page=A-1 |access-date=March 20, 2014}}

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