Thomas Breen File Photo
You can drive here Sunday. Not Monday.
Drivers can steer their cars to the summit of East Rock Park again for now — on Sundays, from only the Davis Street entrance on the Hamden side.
That change is an experiment that began Sunday as New Haven’s Elicker administration seeks to balance the needs of different constituents who love the park.
On the one side are walkers/hikers/joggers and cyclists. They benefited from a decision made in April 2020 at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (and amended that December) to end vehicle access to the park. It became safer for non-drivers to use it.
On the other side are some (not all) senior citizens and people with disabilities. Many of them now lost their only access to the park.
Hence the compromise experiment, which runs through Nov. 1.
Mayor Justin Elicker explained the decision in the following Friday message sent to residents via email and phone blasts:
“As many residents are aware, the internal roads in East Rock Park, including the road to the summit, have been closed to vehicles for some time. These roads were initially closed during the pandemic to provide residents more space to walk and enjoy outdoor space. The road closures have been very popular with residents from around the city for walking, hiking, running and biking and have also helped address dangerous speeding and illegal dumping that was frequently occurring in the park.
“We’ve also received feedback from some residents – such as seniors and residents with disabilities – that the road closures have created a hardship and lack of accessibility to the summit. So, as a trial run and in an effort to ensure access for all, the City is going to permit vehicle access to the summit on Sundays only and via the Davis Street entrance in Hamden only. The other internal roads will remain closed on all other days and locations.
“Sunday access via the Davis Street entrance will begin this Sunday, September 4th and go through November 1st, when the regular winter road closures for the park begin.
“Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure East Rock Park remains an enjoyable and accessible place for all residents.”