My partner Mike and I would like to invite everyone to join us at the Brownstone Park in Portland CT on Sunday, the 4th of July.  Brownstone used to be an operating quarry until a flash flood and hurricane submerged the quarry in 1938.  Now, it has been converted into an outdoor adventure park with hiking, biking, swimming, snorkeling, scuba, cliff jumps, zip lines, a 100 ft water slide, giant inflatable toys, kayaking, wake boards, and rock wall climbing.  Be as active as you want to be, or lounge on the man-made beach soaking up the sun. 

Admission is $18 for the General Pass which includes the hiking, biking, swimming, and snorkeling.  The $26 Adventure Pass lets you do everything else.  If we get a group of 25 together, there is a discount rate.  There are park waivers to fill out, which can be done at admission or filled out beforehand from the website www.brownstonepark.com to expedite the check in.  Changing facilities, lockers, and bathrooms are all available, as well as rental gear for scuba, wet suits, and more.  Life vests or other floatation gear is mandatory and provided free to all park attendants.  Alternatively, wet suits 3 mm or thicker also count as a floatation device.

Parking is free.   You can bring food  for yourself or to share with the group, or buy food available in the park.

The address is 161 Brownstone Ave.  Get directions here: http://brownstonepark.com/park-info/directions/

In General, from Hartford, take 91S to CT 9S.  Take Rt 17 across the Arrigoni Bridge.  At the fifth stop light, take a left onto Middlesex Avenue. At the stop sign, turn left onto Brownstone Avenue. Parking will be on your right.

We will meet  in the sand just beyond where all the life vests are handed out.  I will make sure all GO members will have the same RED wrist band which is handed out at admission.  This way, all GO members will be able to recognize one another anywhere in the park.

Can't come at 11 AM?  No sweat!  Just come by whenever you want, tell the front office you're with GO or Minh, and look for the same red wrist band on the other people in the park.  The park opens at 10 AM and closes at 7 PM.

I'm looking forward to seeing a large group of GO members at the Brownstone Park.

ADDENDUM:

I have reserved a floating gazebo for the group, so, we'll have a central place to put our stuff.  Still, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring some lawn chairs and blankets to spread out on the grass or beach.  Another nice thing to bring if you have it are some water shoes- not essential, but it does make walking around on the hot ground more comfortable.  I'll be bringing a watermellon, some drinks, and chips.  If anyone has stuff they want to share, feel free.  And of course, don't forget the sun screen.  Really looking forward to seeing everyone at the park, and be sure to invite others- the more the merrier.  As per GO guidelines, have them register for GO so we know who to look out for.

Again, the Park has given us RED wrist bands, so ask for Minh, GO, or the red wrist band at the front desk, and we'll be able to find one another in the park if you get there late.