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June 14, 2019

Sleeping Giant reawakens; Hamden area merchants rejoice

PHOTO | Michelle Tuccitto Sullo Aunt Chilada’s Mexican Eatery, in the shadow of the Sleeping Giant, was among the businesses most impacted by the now-reopened park’s year-long closure.
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The tornado-ravaged Sleeping Giant State Park officially reopened to the public Friday morning — much to the delight and relief of nearby merchants.

The park had been closed since the May 15, 2018 storm caused extensive damage and created a safety hazard. Nearby delis, restaurants and ice cream parlors, which park guests often frequented after spending hours exploring the trails, were the hardest hit by the closure, according to Sleeping Giant Park Supervisor Jill Scheibenpflug.

Anthony Improta, owner of Tonino’s Pizzeria on Whitney Avenue, is one of the merchants closest to the park’s main entrance. His restaurant missed out on business from school field trips to Sleeping Giant.

“While it is too late for this school year, I’m sure this will be positive for us. Sleeping Giant is a very popular destination, with hundreds of people coming every day,” Improta said.

“I bet there will be a lot of people coming who are curious about how the park looks now, and I think there will be a great turnout in the coming weeks,” he added. “We are ready.”

Charlie Hague, owner of Aunt Chilada’s Mexican Eatery, which enjoys a scenic panorama of the park, also said the closure impacted his business.

“We are very excited — [the reopening] will help the whole area,” Hague said. “It should increase traffic here at the restaurant and in Hamden in general. I am looking forward to checking out the park myself.”

Regina Banos, owner of Wentworth Homemade Ice Cream, has said her business took a “big hit” in the past year.

After Banos learned of the June 14 reopening, she said, “I am jumping up and down and I could scream with happiness.”

“It is not only the money, but Sleeping Giant is a part of our community,” she said. “It has just been like someone took a piece of you away. I am so relieved. People will be coming in droves to celebrate, and I expect our place will be packed.”

According to a joint announcement from Gov. Ned Lamont and Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes, workers removed thousands of damaged trees to make the park safe for visitors. Volunteers assisted with the effort, which was coordinated by the Sleeping Giant Park Association.

The restoration work has cost approximately $735,000, with about 75 percent to be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Lamont, who thanked everyone involved, said, “I look forward in the coming weeks to getting out onto the trails at Sleeping Giant and seeing the restoration work first hand.”

While the park is open, work is still ongoing. DEEP plans to begin a master planning effort for the area, which will include public meetings in Hamden later this summer to hear ideas about what changes or improvements residents would like to see. Those ideas will be reviewed and evaluated, and a plan will be developed to guide further restoration efforts.

The park has more than 1,400 acres of land with over 30 miles of hiking trails, and takes its name from its resemblance to a human figure reclining on its back. It has regularly attracted thousands of hikers who want to enjoy its scenic vistas of Long Island Sound and the countryside.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com

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