Wadsworth Falls State Park
| Wadsworth Falls State Park | |
|---|---|
| Connecticut State Park | |
| Habitat/Species Management Area (IUCN IV) | |
 Wadsworth Falls | |
| Named for: Clarence C. Wadsworth | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Middlesex |
| Towns | Middlefield, Middletown |
| Location | |
| - coordinates | 41°32′8″N 72°40′34″W / 41.53556°N 72.67611°WCoordinates: 41°32′8″N 72°40′34″W / 41.53556°N 72.67611°W |
| - elevation | 174 ft (53 m) [1] |
| Area | 285 acres (115 ha) [2] |
| Established | 1942 |
| Managed by | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
  Location in Connecticut | |
| Website : Wadsworth Falls State Park | |
Wadsworth Falls State Park, or simply Wadsworth Falls, is a Connecticut state park located in the towns of Middletown and Middlefield.[3] The park lies in the northeast corner of Middlefield, and extends across the town border into Middletown with the main entrance on Route 157. The park itself consists of a series of marked trails covering 285 acres (115 ha) and is intersected by the Coginchaug River, a tributary of the Connecticut River.
There is also a swimming and picnicking area in the park grounds. The swimming pool is paved with soil cement to prevent leakage. Water is pumped from water wells located near the Coginchaug River. Through the hiking trails there is a small brown bridge leading to the falls. Wadsworth Falls is 30 feet (9.1 m) high, with 52 feet (16 m) of water trickling over sandstone along the trail.
History
The falls are named after Clarence C. Wadsworth, a colonel in the New York National Guard who owned the property where the park now exists. He had a fine reputation in academics, and studied linguistics avidly. He settled in Middletown, Connecticut, home of Wesleyan University, it became his passion for 45 years to preserve Wadsworth Falls. His will established the Rockfall Corporation, which is tasked to maintain the protection of the land, plants, and animals in his estate. In 1942, 267 acres (108 ha) of the estate were given to the State of Connecticut.
Features
This park features a pond with a sandy beach with lifeguard supervision in the summer. Amenities include picnic tables and grills for use in cook outs, flush toilets, a river stocked for fishing, and a network of hiking trails.
The Falls
Wadsworth Falls are located at the opposite side of the park from the main entrance and may be reached by car (parking on Cherry Hill Road). They may also be reached by an easy hike, approximately 1.25 miles in length, from the main entrance on Route 157.
The Mansion
While not a part of the state park property, the Long Hill Estate mansion once belonging to Clarence C. Wadsworth is adjacent to the park, near 41°32′8″N 72°40′34″W / 41.53556°N 72.67611°W, and may be reached by taking the purple-blazed hiking trail across Laurel Grove Road. The mansion is now privately owned, and after undergoing extensive renovations, is used as a reception hall. There are public walking trails around its grounds.[4]
References
- ↑ "Wadsworth Falls State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
- ↑ Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee (January 23, 2014). "State Parks and Forests: Funding" (PDF). Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. p. A-4. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
- ↑ "Wadsworth Falls State Park". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Parklands". Long Hill Estate. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
External links
- Wadsworth Falls State Park Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- Wadsworth Falls State Park Map Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection