Letter to the Editor: First Selectman Working to Address Issues at Wadsworth Falls

Wadsworth Falls State Park has been in the news lately. I have received inquiries as to the situation and what is being done by the Town to alleviate the problems.  The summer of 2012 brought a challenge to the Town of Middlefield and Rockfall with the greater use of the Falls section of the Wadsworth Falls State Park. Our First Selectman Jon Brayshaw worked with the State Park authorities to see that changes were made to eliminate sanitary and trash issues at the Falls.  The State installed portable toilets, initiated more patrols and improved cleaning activities.  As this Park is under the authority of the State the Town itself is cognizant of the limits of its authority. We have no jurisdiction within the Park.  Jon did use his authority to place NO PARKING signs on the roads and streets in vicinity of the Park and increase the frequency of Town police presence.

This summer has seen State Parks all over CT overwhelmed by record numbers of people using these public facilities because of the heat and the economic times. Following record use and abuse on the extended July 4th holiday Jon initiated additional NO PARKING on Town roads and directed increased enforcement by our Town police.  Mr. Brayshaw went to State officials, our State Senator and our State Representative for solutions to problems within the Park. A meeting was arranged with the Director of State Parks which was held in Hartford this past Friday, July 26th.  As a result the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is investigating and discussing actions that they will implement shortly.  The bottom line; the area of the Park in Rockfall was not designed nor is it able to handle the current usage.  The arrival of a tour bus load of visitors this past weekend has brought about a new urgency to resolve the overuse and misuse of the Park.  

Monday Jon had discussions with the head of the Conservation Police, who provide police enforcement at state parks.  Steps are being taken immediately to stop unauthorized tour buses from accessing the Park. Discussions are ongoing with State officials that include periodic closing the Falls area of the Park, changing the State website to accurately reflect what recreation is available at the Falls, emphasize that the Falls are a scenic overlook, have a full time park ranger at the Falls on the weekends and holidays in the summer, enforce a no alcohol ban, charge a fee for park usage, limit parking to a few hours, install parking meters, explore zoning issues for private offsite parking, increased Park police presence,  earlier park closing, limiting hours, removal of picnic tables, banning barbeques and properly posting NO SWIMMING signage.

With the fact that the State is in charge of the Park, Jon is using the authority he has over the situation while waiting for action from State officials to alleviate the problems that affect the environment of the Park that is spilling over into the surrounding neighborhoods.

Edward Bailey

Second Selectman

Middlefield-Rockfall CT