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Chatfield Hollow State Park

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Chatfield Hollow State Park is a public recreation area lying adjacent to Cockaponset State Forest in the town of Killingworth, Connecticut. The state park offers hiking trails, a swimming beach, trout fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing, and picnicking areas. Park attractions include Indian caves, historic sites, a restored water wheel, and a reproduction covered bridge. The park is managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.[1]

History

The park was developed in the 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps recreation area within Cockaponset State Forest.[2] The CCC created seven-acre Schreeder Pond in 1934 by building a horseshoe-shaped earth and stone dam across Chatfield Hollow Brook. In 1937, Oak Lodge was raised on the west side of Schreeder Pond; the lodge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[3] The area was designated as a state park in 1949.[1]

Geology

The park's bedrock ledges consist of a type of gneiss called Monson Gneiss, a medium- to coarse-grained rock, light in color, mainly composed of plagioclase, quartz and biotite; trace amounts of garnet, epidote, magnetite can be observed in places. The park sits in a glacial valley, with steep declines on either side and an abundance glacial erratics. The erratics are smooth with sharp edges removed; the majority are composed of Monson Gneiss. Examples of other rock types can be found in the park, since erratics can sometimes be moved great distances.[4]

Activities and amenities

Hiking

The 825-foot (251 m) Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk allows visitors to cross an inland swamp without disturbing it.[2] In addition, some 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails, including the blue-blazed Chatfield Trail, originate within the park and extend into adjacent sections of Cockaponset State Forest.[5]

Mountain biking

The park offers some of the most difficult technical cross-country mountain biking trails in the state, among them are the Lookout Trail and the Pond Trail, which is a side trail that loops off the Deep Woods Trail.[6]

Rock climbing

The park's ledges and cliffs include one of the most popular rock climbing routes in the state along the southern end of the Deep Woods Trail adjacent to Route 81.[7][8]

Trout fishing

Chatfield Hollow State Park is one of Connecticut's eleven Trout Parks, with pond and stream stockings throughout the season and easy accessibility for young and novice anglers.[9]

Other

The park offers swimming on Schreeder Pond and areas for picnicking.[1][10]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chatfield Hollow State Park". State Parks and Forests. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. July 18, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Connecticut DEP rededicates Chatfield Hollow State Park boardwalk in memory of longtime DEP employee Paul F. Wildermann". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. May 19, 2006. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  3. ^ Mary E. McCahon (June 1985). "Connecticut Historical Commission Historic Resources Inventory: Oak Lodge". National Park Service. and accompanying photo from 1985
  4. ^ "The Geology of Chatfield Hollow State Park". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  5. ^ "Chatfield Hollow State Park". Connecticut Explorer's Guide. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  6. ^ "Chatfield Hollow State Park". Mountain Bike Review. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  7. ^ "Chatfield Hollow Main Wall". Mountain Project. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "Chatfield Hollow Climbing Area". Climbing and Bouldering. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "DEEP Trout Parks". Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  10. ^ In addition to the park's other features, the Oh Ranger! website states that Oak Lodge Nature Center is open seasonally and offers nature programs and information about the park. "Chatfield Hollow State Park". Ohranger.com. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
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