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Chatfield Hollow Picnic Shelter sits upon Chatfield Hollow Brook, an ideal place to swim, fish, picnic, or hike. Reminders of early history include several old building foundations, a restored waterwheel on the upper pond, and a covered bridge reproduction spanning the brook. Chunks of oddly shaped metal fragments found near the watercourse are evidence that an iron smelting furnace worked native ores into metal for implements. Artifacts found in the vicinity of Indian Council Caves indicate that Native Americans once gathered amid the rock recesses and overhangs. An Indian trail once paralleled the brook, along what is now the park road. Early settlers made use of the stream for waterpower. Descendants of three Chatfield brothers, who arrived from England about 1639, were believed to have operated a gristmill along the brook.
Location: Chatfield Hollow Brook flows toward Long Island Sound between two high ridges covered with oak, beech, and hickory. In 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps built an earth and stone dam across the brook, creating seven acre Schreeder Pond. Pines planted at the same time now form a green setting around the pond.
Recreation: Chatfield Hollow is a designated Trout Park, so pond and stream fishing are available. Other activities include swimming, picknicking, and hiking.
Nearby: Nearby parks include Haddam Meadows State Park, Hammonasset Beach State Park, and Wadsworth Falls State Park.
Picnic Shelter Cancellation Policy: Refund amounts will be determined as follows: • Cancellations made 30 days or more prior to the picnic shelter reservation: full refund less the $9.00 non-refundable reservation fee and $9.00 cancellation fee • Cancellations made 6 - 29 days prior to the picnic shelter reservation: refund of $145.00 less $9.00 cancellation fee • Cancellations made within 5 days of the picnic shelter reservation: Not eligible for a refund. You can now make a reservation for the day before your arrival and up until 11 months in advance All Parking fees are additional and will be collected on arrival at the gate. Park opens 8:00 a.m. and closes at sunset daily. Pets must be on a leash at all times. Heavy weekend use at each park may lead to gate closures if the park fills to capacity. In the event of this happening, no more cars are allowed to enter. Guests should plan to arrive as early as possible to avoid being turned away. (Picnic shelter rental does not guarantee entry to the park.)