The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is implementing a phased reopening of the recreation area at Hop Brook Lake, Middlebury, Connecticut. Re-opening phase is in accordance with the Corps, state of Connecticut, and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) policies and procedures due to COVID-19.

The Hop Brook Lake Day Use Area, will remain closed to traffic through the July 4^th Holiday Weekend. At this time hiking and multi purposes trails remain open along with access to the day use area via foot and bicycle traffic only. 

Beginning Friday July 3, 2020 at Hop Brook Lake:

• An additional parking area to access the Day Use Area via foot or bicycle will be open for use only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is located in the Upper Section of the park just below the main gate entrance. Lot will close each Sunday at 4 p.m. 
• Restrooms will be open only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Two Portable Toilet Facilities will be located along the main access to Hop Brook Lake and will be available for use as well.
• Recycling receptacles and (4-foot and 6-foot) trash receptacles will be available and can found throughout the main recreation area.
• Drinking fountains will remain closed.
• No tail-gating or group activities allowed.
• Group shelters and swimming area remain closed.

The Hop Brook Lake Offseason parking lot and the Hop Brook Lake damsite parking lot remain open for parking for access to the day use area via foot and bicycle traffic. Additional parking is available along pull off areas located off Route 63 found south of the park entrance and north of the dam site.  Damsite access is open only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please note even with the additional parking area, parking still remains very limited. Visitors will be towed or ticketed if parking in non-parking/permitted areas, along the main highway, along access roadways or restricting access to public facilities and park gates.  Visitations should be limited to single or small group activities, no crowds over 25.

Beginning Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Hop Brook Lake:

• The Day Use Area will be open only from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with limited vehicle access and restricted parking.
• Various parking lots will be closed to all public access.
• Open parking lots will have limited available parking spots.
• Restrooms will continue to be open only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Drinking fountains will remain closed.
• To continue to reduce public group sizes and limit public exposure to each other, the swimming area and group shelters will not open until further notice and will be closed to all public access.

Also be advised that Hancock Brook Lake in the town of Plymouth, Damsite off Graystone Road and the Todd Hollow Parking Area at the corner of Todd Hollow Road and Keegan Road have opened as of Saturday, June 27, 2020.  The gate at the Todd Hollow Parking Area will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Additionally, please:

• Stay home if feeling sick.
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals. If unable to maintain a six-foot distance please wear a face mask.
• Avoid activities where individuals will come in close contact with one another and/or gathering in groups of 25 or more.
• Should crowds begin to form at various locations, visitors are asked to leave that area, choose a different location or return at a later date/time.
• Practice healthy personal hygiene, such as hand washing for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching surfaces frequently touched by others including, but not limited to, picnic tables, railings and signs. These surfaces are NOT being cleaned, sanitize your hands if you do.
• Take in Carry Out. Take all trash, including pet waste, with you when you leave the property.
• Violators are subject to fines and removal from the facilities.

These measures are necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), ensure and protect the health and well-being of our visitors, employees, contractors, volunteers, and safeguard our ability to continue our critical Flood Risk Management operations.

The Hop Brook Lake Project Office is only open to the public by appointment until further notice. Access is limited to mission essential employees, shipping companies, contractors and essential service personnel. To make an appointment, or for any questions, please contact the Hop Brook Lake Project Office (203) 729-8840.

For further details and up-to-the-minute news before visiting the dam, please visit either our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HopBrookLake/or website at https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Hop-Brook-Lake/.