Derby Greenway
aka Derby River Walk
1.7 mile paved path


Click photos to enlarge

Kudos to Derby for this wildly popular path (it became crowded before it was even finish) for pedestrians, bikers and rollerbladers.

The paved walk starts at the Derby-Shelton Bridge over the Housatonic River (Bridge Street) and ends near BJ's on Division Street along the Naugatuck River. There is parking at both ends. Once you're on the path there are no traffic crossings to worry about since the path crosses roads and railroads via underpasses or bridges (the one exception is the boat launch under the Route 8 bridge, but traffic is extremely light here).

This is very hot path during the summer and a very busy one during the early evening hours, so the best time use it during the summer is in the morning before the sun gets too hot.  The pavement is exposed to full sun everywhere except on O'Sullivan's Island (see photo below).

The most unexpected aspect of the path is the section along the park-like O'Sullivan's Island, which is no longer really an island, but rather the point of land separating the two rivers where they join.  The path skirts an estuary cove (saltwater from Long Island Sound reaches here at high tide), surrounded by tall trees.  It is surprising to find such a place hidden below Routes 8 and 34.   Some sections of the "island" are off-limits due to concerns over hazardous materials previously dumped there (for more info on that see the EPA's Cleanup & Reuse Page for O'Sulivans Island ).

While using this type of path it is especially important to keep to the right and pass on the left, even if you think no one is around you (bikers can come up from behind very fast and quiet).  

The Derby Greenway page has more information about the River Walk, including lots of photos, a description of future plans, a page on greenway etiquette, and information about wildlife. 

The photo at left shows Turkey Vultures sunning themselves along the path near BJ's - these are same birds that are often seen circling above Route 8.  (Click to enlarge.)