Wadsworth Falls Visitors Ticketed as Neighbors' Outrage Grows

Dozens of drivers parked illegally near Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middlefield were ticketed over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to police.

The increased police enforcement comes on the heels of complaints from neighbors and park visitors this summer, and in recent years, over the parking situation at the popular waterfall and the general condition of the state park.

"It's sad. This is sad," said nearby local business owner Cliff Goodale. "This is a situation out here that I thought this town would never face. It really is bad."

In all, 77 violators were slapped with a $92 fine.

Although no littering citations were handed out, trash — including beer bottles, diapers and food waste — was scattered throughout the park on Monday morning despite earlier efforts by state workers to clean up the trash.

In addition, several piles of charcoal were found discarded along border areas of the park, including some piles heaped onto dry leaves.

Officials with the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection did not immediately return several phone calls seeking comment about management of the park.

Middlefield First Selectman Jon Brayshaw met Monday with police to discuss the situation and authorized the town's road crew to install "No Parking" signs on Derby Road and Elvira Drive.

Last summer, following similar complaints about the use of the park, the town installed "No Parking" signs along Cherry Hill Road to prevent illegal parking.

"We'll see how that works," Brayshaw said. "Cherry Hill seems to be holding its own with the signs."

Neighbors might disagree.

"Our neighbors one house closer to the falls... was offered $10 to park in her yard. There is a CONSTANT parade of bikini clad out-of-towners. I'm trying not to be rude!!! It's getting harder harder each weekend though," said resident Julie Hurlbert.

Although it costs as much as $15 during a weekend for non-residents to park at the park's main entrance along the Middletown/Rockfall border, there is no charge for the limited parking area at the "big falls."

"If they park down at the park, [the state] charges $10 to park. If they come up where it's free, all they have to do is pee in the bushes and everybody's cool," Brayshaw said.

The illegal parking problem has apparently gotten worse with time, according to residents who commented on Patch's Facebook page.

Recently, the owner of the Rockfall Garage gas station and convenience store began allowing visitors to park at the property for a fee, a situation Brayshaw said was unfortunate.

"The people are trying to work one way, and he's taking advantage of it," he said.

Brayshaw said visitors have also been taking advantage of the large parking lot at nearby St. Colman's Church, which does not charge to park. Church officials did not return a call seeking comment Monday.

"The whole thing is screwy," Brayshaw said. "It's a state park. All we can do is the streets we have responsibility for. I can't prevent people from parking on 157. It's a state road. I can't prevent people from going to Wadsworth. It's a state park."