Kent Falls State Park repairs trails

KENT — Kent Falls State Park has been a magnet for both local and long-distance visitors for decades. According to the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website, acquisition of the park land began in 1919 and the current 295 acres were developed in the 1930s. The 70-foot waterfall is one of the main attractions of the park. In addition, there is also a popular hiking trail that leads to the top of the falls.After some accidents on the trail, the Department of Environmental Protection has begun a program to improve safety and repair erosion along the Kent Falls trails. Josh Rimany of Kent, a DEP Environmental Protection Maintainer III, is supervising these renovations and repairs. “We have finished installing a handrail along the trail all the way to the top,” Rimany said.After July 4, erosion along the trail will be repaired. That part of the project should be completed by this fall.Rimany noted that the trail will be rerouted around closed sections, where erosion repairs are being made. “That way there will be no inconvenience to park visitors,” he said. “They will still be able to hike all the way to the top.”With the park and trails so heavily used, Rimany said the DEP wants to get the job done right for both the safety and enjoyment of park visitors.On a recent Friday afternoon, there were visitors from towns including near and far parts of Connecticut and New York.One group of about 20 people was using the park as a laboratory for a geology class at York College in Queens.Sisters-in-law Karen Medeiros and Tabea Taylor were visiting the park from Danbury and Newtown with their five children. Medeiros said, “We love coming here. It is just beautiful and gives the kids and us a chance to enjoy nature — and it’s only a 45-minute ride from home.”Andrea Gette, who was visiting the park with her mother, Norma, said, “We live in New Milford and often come here. We love the trees and water and it’s close to our home.”Scattered around the park were other families with young children, couples and some adults enjoying the weather and the scenery on their own.

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