State Responds to Complaints at Wadsworth Falls in Middlefield

The state has taken action after an increase in the number of complaints by neighbors living near Wadsworth Falls State Park in Middlefield.

The complaints are primarily due to what officials say is the result of an increase in the number of visitors to the popular park which boasts a 30 foot waterfall and picnic areas.

Last week, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection delivered two portable bathrooms to the park which previously did not have toilets for visitors. The move followed at least one complaint by a Middlefield resident who visited town hall to say he'd found human excrement under the Cherry Hill Road bridge while fishing.

In recent months, the DEEP has also removed large piles of trash left by visitors. The park does not have a trash can so the garbage is usually left piled by the entrance to the park.

"We will continue to clean this area often," said DEEP spokesman Dwayne Gardner.

First Selectman Jon Brayshaw said believes the warmer weather this summer combined with the fact that the section of park in Middlefield is free has led to more visitors.

"There's no question the summer weather has put a strain on our parks," Brayshaw said. "There's no easy answer. I told the state whatever they're doing at the falls is not working."

Earlier this summer, state police had to crack down on illegal parking at Wadsworth Falls, which has a limited number of parking spaces, according to Brayshaw.

A resident, however, recently complained that as many as 45 cars were parked at St. Colman's Church on a weekend when the park was crowded, Brayshaw said.

Brayshaw said he felt the state should promote larger parks with more parking, including Hammonassett Beach State Park in Madison. He even said the state should consider dropping the price of admission to parks as a solution to the overcrowding at smaller parks.

"It is one of those topics that doesn't have an easier answer," he said.