Wharton Brook State Park reopened on January 14 after completing a $350,000 construction project to repair damage from a microburst that uprooted many of the park’s trees struck last May. Located off Route 5, three miles from campus, this 96-acre park was established in 1918 as a “wayside” park for travelers looking for a rest stop. Today, it’s one of eleven official Trout Parks in Connecticut, designated by the Fisheries Division of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for its accessibility to the general public and appeal to novice and seasoned anglers alike. The park offers a beautiful area to enjoy nature through swimming, fishing, and hiking, and it is frequented by many community members.
“In 8th grade, my cross country team and I went to the park in the fall for practice,” said Peter DiNatale ’21, a day student from Wallingford. “The grounds were well-maintained and the park itself was a very tranquil and peaceful environment.”
Sarina Kapoor ’21, who also lives in Wallingford, spent time with her family at Wharton Brook. “My brother and I used to play with our remote control boats at the pond,” she said. “It’s scenic and near a variety of restaurants, making it a great place to have a picnic.”
The tornado-turned-microburst snapped the trunks and branches of the park’s trees or uprooted them completely, creating a safety concern that resulted in the closing of the park last spring. DEEP spent the past couple of months repairing the damage.
“Hundreds of downed or damaged trees were removed from the property, stumps removed, holes filled, and other projects to make the park safe for the public again,” said Mr. Tom Tyler, Director of State Parks at the DEEP.
Park officials, concerned about erosion and runoff, worked to prevent further damage through methods such as hydroseeding, a process by which a mixture of seeds and mulch are used to replant. No major setbacks occurred during the approximately eight-month construction period, allowing DEEP to reopen the park on schedule.
Unfortunately, much of the damage had an irreversible impact on the park, and certain elements could not be restored. “When park visitors return to Wharton Brook State Park they will find a park that has been significantly altered by Mother Nature and the impacts of climate change,” said DEEP Commissioner-Designate Ms. Katie Dykes in a statement. The clearing of much of the forested land has created more open space, and fallen branches can still be found in areas of the park. But, with its century-old history and widely-appreciated offerings, Wharton Brook State Park is sure to weather this storm, too.
