FirstLight and Town of New Milford Announce Temporary Closure of New Milford Recreation Sites

Beginning Saturday, July 19, Dike Point Park and Fisherman’s Parking Lot will be temporarily closed to the public while additional public safety enhancements are established.

New Milford, CT – July 18, 2025 – FirstLight and the Town of New Milford today announced the closure of two FirstLight recreation areas in New Milford in the interest of public safety. Beginning Saturday, July 19, Dike Point Park and Fisherman’s Parking Lot will be closed to the public, allowing FirstLight and the Town to work together on solutions to overcrowding and public safety challenges that present each summer.

“FirstLight is grateful for the support, collaboration and urgency shown by the Town of New Milford and Mayor Bass as we work together to address recurring public safety issues at our recreation sites in New Milford,” said Len Greene, Vice President of External Affairs at FirstLight. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of the public during this closure and look forward to welcoming the community back to our areas once additional safety measures have been implemented.”

FirstLight’s Dike Point Park and Fisherman’s Parking Lot areas are intended to offer public access for walking, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and bird watching along the scenic Housatonic River and Candlewood Lake. While no reopening date has yet been identified for these areas, FirstLight and the Town of New Milford will share more information on a timeline for reopening and new safety measures once finalized.

“Together with FirstLight, we have made the decision to temporarily close Dike Point and Fisherman’s Cove until new measures can be implemented to enhance safety for residents and visitors during the active summer recreation season on the Housatonic River and Candlewood Lake,” said Pete Bass, Mayor of New Milford. “This closure will also protect the First Responders who bravely respond to emergencies on our waterways, risking their own safety and lives in the interest of protecting others. We look forward to sharing plans for reopening these popular recreation areas with new safety measures.”

The Town of New Milford will be actively monitoring River Rd, Bleachery Dam, and other areas of the River Courses, as there will be no grilling or swimming in those areas as well. The public should also expect that any vehicles parked illegally in these areas will be towed.

FirstLight and the Town of New Milford emphasize that safety should always be top of mind when recreating on and around waterways. A few tips for boaters to consider:

• During extreme heat conditions, boaters should plan accordingly and monitor water levels.
• Always wear a life jacket or personal floatation device.
• Take a boating safety course.
• Avoid alcohol use.
• Check the weather forecast before heading out.
• Learn to swim.
• Never stand up in your small powerboat, canoe or similar watercraft.
• Don’t overload your boat.
• Use common sense and operate responsibly.

Safety tips to keep in mind when swimming:

• Swimming is not permitted at FirstLight recreation areas.
• Look for signage and never swim in the restricted areas near a dam or hydropower facility where water levels and rapids can change unexpectedly.
• Never swim alone.
• Only use approved flotation devices; do not rely on toys or inner tubes.
• Know your limitations and swimming skills.
• Swim only in designated swimming areas.
• Swim sober.
• Watch small children near the water.
• Never dive into rivers or lakes; each year nearly 3,000 people are paralyzed as a result of diving into shallow water or hitting an unseen underwater obstruction.

To learn more, visit the water safety section of the American Red Cross. You can find additional boating safety tips via the American Boating Association.