Chatfield Hollow and The Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk

Chatfield Hollow and The Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk. . , History of Chatfield Hollow and The Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk , Chatfield Hollow State Park occurs within a glacial valley. It is named for the Chatfield Hollow Brook that flows toward Long Island Sound between two high ridges covered with oak, beech and hickory trees. Native Americans frequented the valley to hunt and fish. Artifacts found in the vicinity of Indian Council Caves indicate that Native Americans sought refuge and held tribal gatherings amid the rock recesses and overhangs., 1639 , Descendants of three Chatfield brothers arrived from England; They were believed to have operated a gristmill along the brook. Later settlers used waterpower to run an iron smelting furnace that worked native ores into metal for implements. Other artifacts from early colonial times include old building foundations, a restored waterwheel on the upper pond and the covered bridge reproduction spanning Chatfield Hollow Brook., 1933 , From 1933 to 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps began projects at Chatfield Hollow, including a horseshoe-shaped earth and stone dam across the brook, creating seven acre Schreeder Pond, a long swimming beach, an Adirondack-style lodge and a shaded picnic area, and planted many pine trees., 1949 , Chatfield Hollow was designated as a state park. Today, the land is managed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and provides a variety of recreational opportunities., 1988 , The Chatfield Hollow boardwalk was designed and built by a longtime DEEP employee, Paul F. Wildermann. It was subsequently rebuilt in sections over approximately 5 ½ years., 2006 , The DEP rededicated the boardwalk in memory of Paul F. Wildermann. It covers approximately 825 feet and allows visitors to walk through some of the most beautiful inland wetland habitat in the state without disturbing its natural beauty., "The Boardwalk was not intended as a means to get from point A to point B, the objective was the walk itself," said Tom Morrissey, former Chief of the DEEP's Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. "Birders say this is one of the premier spots to observe a large variety of birds in the area and in early spring you can see deer bedding down near the walk."