Sunrise Resort In Moodus To Close

So when Peckingham heard that the 146-acre getaway in the town's woodsy Moodus section was closing, she was upset.

[Larry the Cable Guy]

Time moves on ...... another symbol from a bygone age will now be only remembered in fond memories of slow summers ... good friends ....and good food .... everything changes ...such as life

[JLS]

My son and I spent three summers at Sunrise Resort. We have wonderful memories. I agree this is sad but if it's what the family wants I wish them all the best.

[CT A]

There's another resort of the same era and type as Sunrise - right across the road: Cave Hill! It's a wonderful place! You might want to go check it out!

[Highway Worker]

At least it will remain open space and open to the public for recreation. It is much better than 89 McMansions with people complaining about the Moodus noises.

[oh puleeze]

What a shame to see this landmark go down, especially now that the economy & fuel prices have lured people to stay closer to home & discover what's "in their own backyards". Regretfully, I feel that if the State were to take over the property, it will become a shambles. Take a look at our present State Parks & the shameful condition many are in. They can't even keep up with what they have now & they are looking to take over this property. Besides, how can the State afford this when we are told daily that there isn't enough money in the State coffers to take care of neccessities already in place?

[Big]

The Courant did a story on this resort about a year ago? Oh well.

[Realist]

who cares? We vacation on Asylum Ave.

[bam bam]

I think the campground is a great idea. There's not enough public campgrounds in CT.

[JaneDossier]

If Rt 2 had been allowed to go through to Providence, what impact would have been had on this region and the casino area? Just a question, don't get upset. I am a bike rider, who does not drive an SUV. I am a fan of mass transit. Just wondering. The Courant has never asked or attempted to answer these questions.

[The Rising Star]

There's a state park right next door to Sunrise so I assume it will be an expansion on that. I'd rather see that section of the Salmon river open to camping/recreation over development. It's a nice section of Connecticut worth preserving.

[Cobalt]

Well, I had no idea how this place had stayed open this long. The property is HUGE and has a few remarkable buildings on it. A great area, Moodus is a wonderful town and for camping, there's Wolf's Den right around the corner and some available camping at Devil's Hopyard.

The whole area- including East Hampton was a major tourist destination in the mid and early 1900s.

[Cow Tipper]

It's unfortunate for the family and longtime patrons, but two cheers to the state if they can develop the area as a campground. Much better than a subdivision.

[Minx]

I'm not sure why the family wouldn't just settle for selling the resort to someone who wanted to continue to operate it as a resort. Keep the tradition alive, if the Johnson family is ready to move on, so be it, but let another family continue running it in the same manner, maybe with the simple changing of the name of the resort, but maintain the nostalgia about it. It would be a shame to see it turn into a run-down trailor park. I was there for my eith-grade graduation party, our class spent an entire weekend there, my memories are still vivid and pleasant. It's like stepping back in time when you're there, to see it altered significantly would change the whole dynamic of the place.

[NW Corner]

Cow Tipper wrote:

It's unfortunate for the family and longtime patrons, but two cheers to the state if they can develop the area as a campground. Much better than a subdivision.

Except that the property will be off the tax roll.$100K missing from a budget for a town that size is significant. You know darn well that the state will not come close to that with payments in lieu of taxes.

[Fred Flintstone]

I would like to see a state sponsored shooting range and fishing camp. get the youngsters back in the woods doing nature type things and away from the gameboys and other electronic junk, teach the kids to hunt and fish bring back nature.

[MIDDLETOWN]

I am related to the daughter of Jim Johnson and I wish everyone the best of luck. I didn't make it there very often but will miss it none the less.

[Cox]

Larry the Cable Guy wrote:

Time moves on ...... another symbol from a bygone age will now be only remembered in fond memories of slow summers ... good friends ....and good food .... everything changes ...such as life

your quite the philosopher Larry the telephone guy

[California Debbie]

Wow - Thanks to the Johnson Family for many many years of great memories! Sunrise Resort will be missed by many. I consider myself lucky to have experienced her for 7+ years.

[sparksteroni]

I think the owner did EXACTLY THE RIGHT THING - good for him to put the public good above some additional profit for himself.
And, as far as selling to someone who would continue to run it as a resort - HAH. They'd run it for a year or two then sell it to some developer.
Sounds to me like this guy did the right thing.

Minx wrote:

I'm not sure why the family wouldn't just settle for selling the resort to someone who wanted to continue to operate it as a resort. Keep the tradition alive, if the Johnson family is ready to move on, so be it, but let another family continue running it in the same manner,.

[Larry Gottesdiener]

SELL IT TO ME!!!!!!!!!!

I can put up 69, 5,000+ square foot brick eyesores, and, pocket, say MILLIONS OF DOLLARS for me and my family.

Haaaaaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaa