Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Connecticut, stretches along Long Island Sound with two miles of beachfront and stands as the state’s largest shoreline park. Created in 1919 from an initial 499 acres, it quickly became a major destination, with attendance rising sharply in its early years. The park closed during World War II when the land became a U.S. Army reservation and aircraft firing range, but it later resumed its role as a center for family recreation. Known for its beach, campground, nature center, and varied outdoor activities, Hammonasset has remained one of Connecticut’s busiest and most important coastal parks.