Protecting Small Towns From Lawsuits

The Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) urges lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee to support legislation extending the current liability protections enjoyed by private landowners that provide access to their lands for recreational use to Connecticut’s towns and cities.

“Open space lands are a vital part of the charm and character of Connecticut’s small towns,” said Bart Russell, Executive Director of COST. “Many of Connecticut’s rural and suburban towns have spent considerable resources to purchase and maintain open space lands and provide citizens with opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation, such as hiking, biking and boating.”

“Unfortunately, municipalities are increasingly exposed to enormous liability for injuries occurring on recreational lands, as evidenced by recent court decisions that have awarded multi-million dollar damage awards to plaintiffs. As a result, many communities are considering or have already begun to limit recreational activities on municipally owned lands,” Russell said.

COST urges lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee to move forward with legislation to close the gap in the current law and provide some protection from lawsuits for towns and cities that allow people free access to recreational lands that are reasonably maintained. 

COST is an advocacy organization committed to giving small towns a strong voice in the legislative process. Its members are Connecticut towns with populations of less than 30,000. COST champions the major policy needs and concerns of Connecticut’s suburban and rural towns.  More information is available at www.ctcost.org