Park Service Promotes Naugatuck River Greenway

These cyclists completed a 56 mile bike trip from Torrington to Derby to promote the Naugatuck River Greenway.

Click here for more pictures or here to watch some video.


Latest Derby Announcement Steals the Show!

The National Park Service conducted a 56 mile bike ride along the proposed route of the Naugatuck River Greenway on a spectacular fall weekend with the highlight of the day being the announcement of some great news on Derby's O'Sullivan Island at the end of trip.

While speaking to the cyclists and members of the Park Service, Derby Mayor Anthony Staffieri announced that the Derby Greenway, the first completed section of the Naugatuck Greenway, is about to get an extension. The Mayor announced that the City has signed a contract with Hammonassett Construciton Company to complete Phase III of the project which will be a 1,050 foot trail along O'Sullivan's Island including a dramatic footbridge over one of the inlets on the Island. Work should begin in the next two weeks and be completed in spring 2013. Click here to see more on the plans for the extension.

He also announced that the City's proposed Phase IV has been prioritized and is under review by the Connecticut Department of Transportation prior to a formal announcement of funding. Phase IV will  extend westward along Rt. 34 and the Housatonic River commencing at the Derby/Shelton Bridge and will eventually connect with Osbornedale State Park.

Derby officially broke ground for the first phase of the Greenway on June 21, 2005. Though people flocked to the Greenway while it was being constructed, the official opening did not take place until Derby Day (June 25) 2006. Phase II which included the installation of benches and the Hall of Fame Plaza took place on September 1, 2007.

Today's event was planned by John Monroe of the National Park Service planned the Explore the Naugatuck Even in recognition that the planned Greenway is one of 101  projects selected by the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar as part of the America's Great Outdoors Initiative. The City of Derby is pleased to be the model for what can be accomplished as one of the most environmentally damaged rivers in the country continues its remarkable comeback as a natural resource to serve the public in ways unimaginable only a few short years ago.

 

 Story posted on September 23, 2012

Updates March 3, 2013


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