ENFIELD--"The sound of the water, it's so calm, it's so refreshing,” Enfield resident Laureat Grondin told Fox CT as he sat on the river bank in Scantic River State Park.
Grondin is one of many residents who want to keep the Powder Hollow location pristine, but this small state park is experiencing big problems.
"Throughout the last couple of summers there has been a dramatic increase in the number of visitors,” said Enfield Deputy Mayor Bill Lee.
Visitors who stay all day and leave their trash, including large amounts of diapers, are causing issues.
"The people are actually in the trails, so you can't even walk you have to say excuse me can I get through?” said Enfield resident Carolyn Martinelli.
Another issue is the parking lot only holds 10 cars, which causes dozens to line the curb illegally.
It prompted town leaders to join the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and air out concerns with residents at the park on Tuesday.
Certain measures are already in place. Trash barrels sit at the entrance, the state added a port-a-potty, posted restrictions and banned alcohol consumption.
But another challenge is enforcing the rules. The state owns and patrols the land, but on any given day there are five environmental officers spread thin over around 30 state parks and forests in northeastern Connecticut.
Local police regulate parking on the road.
"We've been trying to put a stronger focus here,” said DEEP Spokesman Dennis Schain. "We're talking with the local police that's part of what's happening here about how we can work more effectively together."
Ideas were thrown out at the gathering, such as charging per person, or for parking; creating parking time limits; or closing down the park when it reaches capacity.
Either way, residents want to see this local treasure preserved and not abused.
"It's very enjoyable and I don't want to lose this,” said Martinelli.
Schain said the gathering was a great exchange of ideas and solutions, all of which leaders will consider as they keep an open dialogue with the town.
