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Wadsworth Falls State Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 41°31′32″N 72°41′47″W / 41.52556°N 72.69639°W / 41.52556; -72.69639
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{{Short description|State park in Connecticut, United States}}
{{Short description|State park in Connecticut, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox park
| name = Wadsworth Falls State Park
| name = Wadsworth Falls State Park
| iucn_category =
⚫
| iucn_ref =
<!-- images -->
| photo = Wadsworth Falls CT.jpg
| photo = Wadsworth Falls CT.jpg
| photo_caption =
| photo_caption =
| photo_width = 280
<!-- map -->
| photo_alt = Waterfall
| map = USA Connecticut#USA
| map = USA Connecticut#USA
| map_caption = Location in Connecticut
| relief = 1
| relief = 1
| label = Wadsworth Falls State Park
<!-- location -->
| location = [[Middlefield, Connecticut|Middlefield]] & [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]], [[Connecticut]], United States
| location = [[Middlefield, Connecticut|Middlefield]] and [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]], [[Connecticut]], United States
| coordinates = {{coord|41|31|39|N|72|41|25|W|display=inline,title}}
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|41|31|32|N|72|41|47|W|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref name=gnis/>
| coords_ref = <ref name=gnis/>
⚫
| area = {{convert|285|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name=pristaff/>
<!-- stats -->
⚫
| elevation = {{convert|135|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|211758|Wadsworth Falls}}</ref>
⚫
| length =
| length_mi =
| length_km =
| width =
| width_mi =
| width_km =
| area_acre = 285
⚫
| area_ref = <ref name=pristaff/>
⚫
| elevation = {{convert|174|ft|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|211759|Wadsworth Falls State Park}}</ref>
| elevation_avg =
| elevation_min =
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| dimensions =
⚫
| designation = [[List of Connecticut state parks|Connecticut state park]]
<!-- dates & info -->
| established = 1942
| established = 1942
| named_for = Clarence C. Wadsworth
| free_label = Named for
| free_data = Clarence C. Wadsworth
⚫
| designation = [[List of Connecticut state parks|Connecticut state park]]
⚫
| administrator = [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]]
| visitation_num =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| visitation_ref =
⚫
| status =
⚫
| administrator = [[Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection]]
| website = {{Official website}}
<!-- website, embedded -->
⚫
| embedded =
| website = [https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Wadsworth-Falls-State-Park Wadsworth Falls State Park]
{{Infobox NRHP | name = Wadsworth Falls State Park |embed=yes
{{Infobox NRHP
| embed = yes
| name = Wadsworth Falls State Park
| nrhp_type = cp | nocat = yes
| nrhp_type = cp
| nocat = yes
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| partof = [[Wadsworth Estate Historic District]]
| partof = [[Wadsworth Estate Historic District]]
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| refnum = 96000775
| refnum = 96000775
}}
}}
| embedded =
}}
}}


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==History==
==History==
The park bears the name of Colonel [[Clarence S. Wadsworth]] (1871–1941), an academic, linguist, conservationist, and member of the [[New York National Guard]]. Wadsworth developed the property that the park occupies in the early years of the 20th century as part of his [[Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill|Long Hill]] estate.<ref name=longhill/> He established the Rockfall Corporation as a charitable foundation to administer his properties and further his conservationist interests.<ref name=rockfall/> Following his death, the corporation gave {{convert|267|acre}} of Wadsworth's estate to the people of Connecticut for preservation as Wadsworth Falls State Park.<ref name=DEEP/>
The park bears the name of Colonel [[Clarence S. Wadsworth]] (1871–1941), an academic, linguist, conservationist, and member of the [[New York National Guard]]. Wadsworth developed the property that the park occupies in the early years of the 20th century as part of his [[Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill|Long Hill]] estate.<ref name=longhill/> He established the Rockfall Corporation as a charitable foundation to administer his properties and further his conservationist interests.<ref name=rockfall/> Following his death, the corporation gave {{convert|267|acre}} of Wadsworth's estate to the people of Connecticut for preservation as Wadsworth Falls State Park.<ref name=DEEParchived/>


In 1996, the portion of the park that lies within the town of Middletown, some 130 acres, was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as part of the [[Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill|Wadsworth Estate Historic District]].<ref name=nrhp/> The district's central feature, the [[Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill]], lies adjacent to the park and may be reached from the park by way of the purple-blazed hiking trail.<ref name=longhill/>
In 1996, the portion of the park that lies within the town of Middletown, some 130 acres, was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]] as part of the [[Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill|Wadsworth Estate Historic District]].<ref name=nrhp/> The district's central feature, the [[Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill]], lies adjacent to the park and may be reached from the park by way of the purple-blazed hiking trail.<ref name=longhill/>
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=DEEP>{{cite web |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Wadsworth-Falls-State-Park |title=Wadsworth Falls State Park |work=State Parks and Forests |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |date=March 2021 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name=DEEP>{{cite web |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Wadsworth-Falls-State-Park |title=Wadsworth Falls State Park |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |date=March 2021 |access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref>

<ref name=DEEParchived>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325274 |title=Wadsworth Falls State Park |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233701/http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325274 |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>


<ref name=DEEP2>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325114 |title=The Geology of Wadsworth Falls State Park |work=State Parks and Forests |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=DEEP2>{{cite web |url=http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325114 |title=The Geology of Wadsworth Falls State Park |publisher=Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |access-date=October 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330010156/http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325114 |archive-date=March 30, 2018}}</ref>


<ref name=pristaff>{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/pri/docs/2013/State%20Parks%20and%20Forests%20Funding%20Staff%20Findings%20and%20Recommendations%20.pdf |title=Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests |work=State Parks and Forests: Funding |series=Staff Findings and Recommendations |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |date=January 23, 2014 |page=A-4 |access-date=March 20, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name=pristaff>{{cite web |url=http://www.cga.ct.gov/pri/docs/2013/State%20Parks%20and%20Forests%20Funding%20Staff%20Findings%20and%20Recommendations%20.pdf |title=Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests |work=State Parks and Forests: Funding |series=Staff Findings and Recommendations |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |date=January 23, 2014 |page=A-4 |access-date=March 20, 2014}}</ref>


<ref name=nrhp>{{cite web |url={{NRHP url|id=96000775}} |title=Wadsworth Estate Historic District |work=National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form |first=Jan |last=Cunningham |publisher=National Park Service |date=November 30, 1995 |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=nrhp>{{cite web |url={{NRHP url|id=96000775}} |title=Wadsworth Estate Historic District |series=National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form |first=Jan |last=Cunningham |publisher=National Park Service |date=November 30, 1995 |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>


<ref name=longhill>{{cite web |url=http://www.wadsworthmansion.com/history/ |title=History |publisher=Wadsworth Mansion |access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref>
<ref name=longhill>{{cite web |url=http://www.wadsworthmansion.com/history/ |title=History |publisher=Wadsworth Mansion |access-date=September 7, 2016}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 09:17, 5 September 2024

Wadsworth Falls State Park
Waterfall
Wadsworth Falls State Park is located in Connecticut
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Wadsworth Falls State Park is located in the United States
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Wadsworth Falls State Park
LocationMiddlefield and Middletown, Connecticut, United States
Coordinates41°31′32″N 72°41′47″W / 41.52556°N 72.69639°W / 41.52556; -72.69639[1]
Area285 acres (115 ha)[2]
Elevation135 ft (41 m)[1]
Established1942
Administered byConnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
DesignationConnecticut state park
Named forClarence C. Wadsworth
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Wadsworth Falls State Park
Part ofWadsworth Estate Historic District
NRHP reference No.96000775
Added to NRHPJuly 25, 1996

Wadsworth Falls State Park, or simply Wadsworth Falls, is a public recreation and preserved natural area located on the Coginchaug River in the towns of Middletown and Middlefield, Connecticut. The state park's 285 acres (115 ha) offer trail hiking, fishing, swimming and picnicking. It is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.[3]

History

[edit]

The park bears the name of Colonel Clarence S. Wadsworth (1871–1941), an academic, linguist, conservationist, and member of the New York National Guard. Wadsworth developed the property that the park occupies in the early years of the 20th century as part of his Long Hill estate.[4] He established the Rockfall Corporation as a charitable foundation to administer his properties and further his conservationist interests.[5] Following his death, the corporation gave 267 acres (108 ha) of Wadsworth's estate to the people of Connecticut for preservation as Wadsworth Falls State Park.[6]

In 1996, the portion of the park that lies within the town of Middletown, some 130 acres, was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Wadsworth Estate Historic District.[7] The district's central feature, the Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill, lies adjacent to the park and may be reached from the park by way of the purple-blazed hiking trail.[4]

Waterfalls

[edit]

Two natural waterfalls lie within easy reach by park trails: the Big Falls,[8] on the Coginchaug River, and the Little Falls,[9] on Wadsworth Brook. The larger of the two, Wadsworth Big Falls, drops the 52-foot breadth of the Coginchaug River some 30 feet (9.1 m) over a shelf of Hampden basalt.[10] Wadsworth Little Falls is found along Wadsworth Brook and descends approximately 40 feet (12 m) over an outcrop of sandstone known as Portland arkose.[10]

Activities and amenities

[edit]

In addition to scenery and heavily forest lands, the park features stream fishing, and trails for hiking and mountain biking.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Wadsworth Falls". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Appendix A: List of State Parks and Forests" (PDF). State Parks and Forests: Funding. Staff Findings and Recommendations. Connecticut General Assembly. January 23, 2014. p. A-4. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  3. ^ "Wadsworth Falls State Park". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. March 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "History". Wadsworth Mansion. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  5. ^ "The Wadsworth Legacy". Rockfall Foundation. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  6. ^ "Wadsworth Falls State Park". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Cunningham, Jan (November 30, 1995). "Wadsworth Estate Historic District". National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. National Park Service. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "Wadsworth Big Falls". New England Waterfalls. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  9. ^ "Wadsworth Little Falls". New England Waterfalls. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  10. ^ a b "The Geology of Wadsworth Falls State Park". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
[edit]
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