Wadsworth Falls State Park

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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, Middlefield, Middletown
Location
- coordinates	41°32′8″N 72°40′34″W / 41.53556, -72.67611Coordinates: 41°32′8″N 72°40′34″W / 41.53556, -72.67611

Wadsworth Falls State Park, or simply Wadsworth Falls, is a Connecticut state park located in the town of Middlefield. The park lies in the northeast corner of the town bordering Middletown with the main entrance on Route 157. The park itself consists of a series of marked trails covering 285 acres (1.15 km²) 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.

1 History
2 Features
3 The Falls
4 The Mansion
5 External links

[edit] 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 (1.08 km²) of the estate were given to the State of Connecticut.[1] The park is now operated by the Department of Environmental Protection and is open every day until sunset.

[edit] 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.

Dogs are allowed in the park while on a leash.

[edit] 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, approximatley 1.25 miles in length, from the main entrance on Route 157.

[edit] 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, and maybe 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.