An all-volunteer organization, the Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park coordinate with the CT Department of Energy and the Environment to maintain, enhance, and facilitate access to Harkness Memorial State Park. The state park comprises Eolia, the Harkness family’s historic summer mansion, and the surrounding lawn and gardens. The Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park coordinate volunteers to cultivate the gardens, work at special events, and run a small gift shop. Volunteers with the organization also serve as docents, offering historical tours through the mansion and surrounding estate. The state park has become a popular wedding and date-night venue, and the Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park host a series of fundraising events throughout the year. Fishing and picknicking are available at the site as well.
Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park
- Friends of American Legion & Peoples State Forest
- Friends of Auerfarm Scenic Reserve
- Friends of Beckley Furnace State Park
- Connecticut Forest & Park Association
- Friends of Chatfield Hollow State Park
- Friends of Dinosaur State Park & Arboretum
- Friends of Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park
- Friends of Fort Trumbull State Park
- Friends of Gillette Castle State Park
- Friends of Goodwin Forest
- Groton Open Space Association
- Friends of Hammonasset Beach State Park
- Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park
- Friends of Heublien Tower
- Friends of Mansfield Hollow State Park
- Friends of Mono Pond State Park
- Friends of Pachaug State Forest
- Friends and Neighbors of Putnam Memorial State Park
- Friends of Seaside State Park
- Friends of Sessions Woods WMA
- Friends of Sherwood Island State Park
- Sleeping Giant Park Association
- Caretakers of Soapstone
- Friends of Sunrise-Machimoodus State Parks
- Friends of Topsmead State Forest
- Friends of Valley Railroad
- West Rock Ridge Park Association
- Windsor Locks Canal Trail Friends