Mill Pond Falls
Encyclopedia
Mill Pond Falls is a waterfall
located in Newington
, Connecticut
. It is the smallest natural waterfall in the United States
. The falls are located inside Mill Pond Park and is celebrated each fall during the Waterfall Festival.
In the park, residents are able to fish, walk, bike, and swim in the public pool. A gazebo provides a view of the pond's drop off into the falls. In the summer, the Newington Extravaganza allows patrons to ride boats around the pond and past the falls. A well maintained landscape and small garden close to the falls make it a very popular location for weddings and other ceremonies. During the Christmas season, the bridge and observation area are decorated with Christmas lights and other decorations.
Mill Pond Falls is 5 meters (16 feet) high. Its water flow is 16 liters (4 gallons) per second as of February 24, 2002.
On April 17, 2010, the Newington Waterfall Committee planted a Crimson Maple in front of the falls. They dubbed it the "Thankful Tree" and it gives residents the opportunity to express their thanks.
and its economy was based on the production of pipestaves, metal rings that cover whiskey barrels. Saw mills were involved in the production of pipestaves, and therefore essential to town economy. The falls were used as a source for energy for the mill, and their beauty and fame were overlooked for the time being. Mill Pond Falls' contribution to Newington's economy is honored by the Newington Town Seal, on which the falls are the focal point.. Today, the sawmill is replaced by the town garage, yet the falls remain. Over the years, the town has taken advantage of the falls' natural beauty by surrounding it with Mill Pond Park, a facility that allows residents to visit and view the falls.
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
located in Newington
Newington
Newington is the name of several places, districts, a school, and a house.* England:**Greater London*** Newington, London *** Stoke Newington, a district in London*** Newington Green, a district in London**Kent*** Newington, Swale, Kent...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. It is the smallest natural waterfall in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The falls are located inside Mill Pond Park and is celebrated each fall during the Waterfall Festival.
Description
Mill Pond Falls is located under Mill Pond inside Mill Pond Park. A walking path surrounds the pond and runs through the woods down to the falls. A wooden footbridge spans the top of the falls and an observation area is located in front of it where benches offer a view of the falls.In the park, residents are able to fish, walk, bike, and swim in the public pool. A gazebo provides a view of the pond's drop off into the falls. In the summer, the Newington Extravaganza allows patrons to ride boats around the pond and past the falls. A well maintained landscape and small garden close to the falls make it a very popular location for weddings and other ceremonies. During the Christmas season, the bridge and observation area are decorated with Christmas lights and other decorations.
Mill Pond Falls is 5 meters (16 feet) high. Its water flow is 16 liters (4 gallons) per second as of February 24, 2002.
On April 17, 2010, the Newington Waterfall Committee planted a Crimson Maple in front of the falls. They dubbed it the "Thankful Tree" and it gives residents the opportunity to express their thanks.
History
Mill Pond Falls was named for a saw mill built on Mill Pond in 1860. At that time, Newington was still a part of the town of WethersfieldWethersfield
Wethersfield may refer to:* RAF Wethersfield, a British Ministry of Defence training facility in Essex, England* Wethersfield, Connecticut* Wethersfield, Essex, an English village near RAF Wethersfield* Wethersfield, New York* Wethersfield, Vermont...
and its economy was based on the production of pipestaves, metal rings that cover whiskey barrels. Saw mills were involved in the production of pipestaves, and therefore essential to town economy. The falls were used as a source for energy for the mill, and their beauty and fame were overlooked for the time being. Mill Pond Falls' contribution to Newington's economy is honored by the Newington Town Seal, on which the falls are the focal point.. Today, the sawmill is replaced by the town garage, yet the falls remain. Over the years, the town has taken advantage of the falls' natural beauty by surrounding it with Mill Pond Park, a facility that allows residents to visit and view the falls.
Celebration
Beginning in 2000, the Newington Waterfall Committee decided to honor the falls' fame and contribution to town history by starting the Waterfall Festival. The festival is held every fall in the center of town. It features over 70 vendors, as well as music groups from local public schools. Town organizations and local companies sponsor the event each year. The event also includes the famous "Artist's Chalk Walk". This contest invites artists in two groups; adult and children; to compete for prizes. Residents take part by voting for their favorite creation.External links
- http://www.newingtonct.gov/ Official Newington Town page
- http://www.newingtonchamber.com/index.htm Newington Chamber of Commerce history page
- http://www.newingtonwaterfallfestival.com/ Water Fall Festival's page