The Story Behind The Paris Love Locks Tradition That Made Its Way To This Historic Bridge In Connecticut

The love lock trend stated in Paris in the early 2000s and has now spread all over the globe. It's not uncommon to find bridges or light posts that have been covered in colorful metal locks. Ever seen these love lock bridges and wonder what they meant? They are meant to serve as symbols of the permanence of couples' love. However, many localities treat the act of "locking down" your love as littering and will remove these locks. Not many people know that we have a love lock bridge in Connecticut at Lovers Leap State Park. Read on to learn more about this trend, including why it's such a controversial topic!

Lovers Leap State Park in New Milford, CT is one of the state's most popular parks, and it's easy to see why. Its 126 acres straddle the Housatonic River, and you'll find amazing views and plenty of fun here.

One of the most-visited landmarks here is the big red bridge that spans the river. It was built by the Connecticut-based Berlin Iron Bridge Co. in 1895.

If you've stopped by in the last few years, you may have noticed seemingly random locks appearing all over the bridge.

The locks are left by well-meaning romantics who demonstrate their love by locking up a metal padlock then throwing away the key (most often into the river below).

The tradition seems harmless enough - after all, a lock doesn't weigh much. However, the combined weight of many padlocks can cause severe structural damage to buildings.

The Pont des Arts in Paris actually had railings collapse a few years ago due to how many locks had been placed on the iconic bridge. It's no surprise, then, that many cities have begun to remove the locks if they see them placed there.

Leaving locks is technically littering, and as the metal rusts, it can cause corrosion to the structures it's locked onto.

It's just as important to follow the "leave no trace" principle on bridges as it is when hiking in the woods.

Next time you think about locking up your love on a bridge, you might want to reconsider!

Have you ever seen this love lock bridge in Connecticut, or placed a love lock anywhere? Share your thoughts on the trend in the comments! While you're in New Milford, check out this acclaimed rustic bed-and-breakfast.