Rain fails to deter visitors from Wadsworth Falls State Park on Memorial Day

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — Despite the rain and dark clouds, families were outside enjoying the weather at Wadsworth Falls State Park on a Memorial Day Monday.

The weather was warm enough to attract Mike Yunga and his family all the way from Brooklyn, New York.

“Connecticut is a beautiful place for me,” he said. “We’re trying to have fun, play some volleyball with the family.”

The state park, located on the Coginchaug River, is a halfway point for two families from coming from New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Daniel Backenroth, coming all the way from Highland Park, New Jersey, said the drive was rainy, but it cleared up just as they pulled into the parking lot on Wadsworth Street.

“[We] thought about other options, but everything is closed so it made sense to be outside,” he said. “I think we’re lucky it stopped raining.”

Wadsworth Falls has 4.5 miles of trails and picnic space. Some visitors set up tents to stay dry. But for one couple, the rain was too much to handle.

“We put up a tent, we cooked for a little bit, but now we have to leave because it got a little wet,” said Aley Villalongo of Meriden.

Jose Martinez-Velez of Middletown was running through the trails, taking in the sights of the park.

“For me, it was very therapeutic because I love the rain,” he said. “It’s very calming, but also being in nature it gives me time to think and reconnect.”

Wadsworth Falls State Park is free to state residents and is open until sunset year round.

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