Volunteers sought to help monitor beaches

KENT — A public hearing was held on Friday, April 21, for residents to voice ideas and opinions about the installation of lockable gates on River Road and North Kent Road in an effort to prevent large and often messy crowds from gathering on the beach areas along the Housatonic River.

The hearing was held in response to the substantial public attendance at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on April 7, following an informational email sent to residents by First Selectman Bruce Adams notifying them of the plan to install the gates.

Adams opened the hearing by briefly speaking about the history of the issue. Bull’s Bridge recreational area and Kent Falls State Park had become magnets for large crowds of people from out of the area, who came to visit these scenic spots. Many of them brought trays of food, coolers, grills, stereos and lawn chairs and left in their wake large amounts of garbage. 

Safety was also a concern as some visitors were unable to swim or were unaware of the power of the river; there have been drownings in the past.

The state of Connecticut intervened at Kent Falls State Park to bring the problem under control. Concerned local citizens formed the Bull’s Bridge Task Force to monitor the Bull’s Bridge recreational area and remind visitors of the rules. The volunteer task force has proven successful in controlling the large gatherings at that location.

However, in the summer of 2016 the crowds moved north. They discovered the natural beach areas along the Housatonic River that are accessible by River Road and North Kent Road. In a proactive effort to mitigate the problem before summer arrives this year, Adams convened a meeting in early February with representatives from multiple organizations and agencies to brainstorm possible solutions.

The result of that meeting was the decision to install lockable gates. On River Road, the gate would be placed 1.8 miles in from Skiff Mountain Road with a sign at the beginning of the road notifying vehicles of restricted access. 

On North Kent Road, the gate would be placed just before the railroad tracks with “No Parking” signs placed all the way to Route 7. These gates do not restrict pedestrians, hikers or bicyclists from accessing these roads; they are free to go around the gates and continue on. 

The floor was then opened to public comment. Consensus among residents was that education and people power are the keys to successfully managing the crowds.

Music, cars, trash

Many residents who own homes and property near the affected areas were glad that the town had called a hearing to address this problem. 

Jane Martin, whose house is located off of North Kent Road, said, “We’ve been dealing with these crowds for years. We’ve had people try many times to park in our driveway, and they don’t like being told not to.” 

Martin went on to note that the lack of restroom facilities creates a sanitation issue. She also said that loud music can often be heard playing late into the night.

Roger Hatch, whose property abuts the south border of Kent Falls Sate Park, cautioned, “We need to be careful when we talk about these visitors so as not to think of them as ‘the other.’ It is refreshing to me to see so many people of diverse ethnicities enjoying Kent Falls.” 

He went on to say that his family is interracial, and they have always felt welcome in Kent. He wants to see that openness extended to visitors as well.

A resident in attendance wondered if the trash that visitors leave behind could be attributed to cultural differences in the way people enjoy recreation. Another responded by saying that littering is not part of any culture. 

Austie Brown, whose property is near North Kent Road on the west side of the river, observed, “People only know what they have been taught. We need to educate these visitors so they know what is expected.”

Clear expectations

The National Park Service, which owns the land on both sides of River Road, has a “carry in, carry out” policy in regard to garbage. They do not install trashcans on their properties. It was suggested that signs in multiple languages detailing the garbage policy and other rules be posted at the beach areas. Representatives from the Appalachian Trail Committee indicated that signs of this nature were currently in the works.

Even more powerful than education in the success of controlling the crowds and garbage is people power: active monitoring of these sites by people who are trained to effectively educate and interact with visitors.

The Bull’s Bridge Task Force model of using volunteers to greet visitors, remind them of the rules, watch for illegal fishing and check coolers for alcoholic beverages has been extremely successful. The task force is hoping to have enough volunteers this year to expand their service to the River Road location.

The possibility of hiring additional law enforcement was also brought up as a way to monitor activities at the beach areas.   

Anyone interested in volunteering with the Bull’s Bridge Task Force should contact Ray Bracone at ray.bracone@gmail.com for more information.