Planted:             November 3, 2005

Length:             Derby Greenway; 1 ¾ miles    

                             Division Street north; 0.3 miles

                             O'Sullivan's Island Spur; 0.2 miles

                             Shelton Canal Locks detour; 1 mile                     

Difficulty:          Easy. Paved path.

                            Note; O'Sullivan's Island Spur and Division Street North are unpaved dirt trails.

From Route 8 northbound, take exit 16 to Pershing Drive. At the second set of lights, take a right onto Division Street. Cross over the railroad tracks and take a right at the next set of lights just before the bridge. You will see a parking area on your left next to the dike.

From Route 8 southbound, take exit 17. Turn left at end of ramp onto Seymour Ave and then a quick right down Atwater Ave. Turn right when you reach Division Street and follow over the railroad tracks. Then take a right at the next set of lights just before the bridge. You will see a parking area on your left next to the dike.

The Derby Greenway runs along both the Housatonic and Naugatuck Rivers. It currently runs from the Derby/Shelton Bridge to the Division Street Bridge in Derby. Future plans call for extending the trail into East Derby across the Naugatuck River and also north from Division Street into Ansonia. The trail mostly runs on top of the dikes that keep the rivers at bay (the great flood of 1955 devastated the area), however, one section does take you down along the riverbanks and a dirt trail takes you out to the end of O'Sullivan's Island where the two rivers meet. For more information visit; DERBY GREENWAY . You can also access the Shelton Canal via bike from the end of the trail. See below for directions. Another bike trail is located close by in Shelton. See; Shelton Lakes Greenway .

Starting from the Division Street Parking Lot; From the fountain, the paved trail heads south from the Division Street Bridge on top of the dike next to the Naugatuck River.

Note; You may also head north along the dike on a dirt trail for 0.3 miles to where the active railroad tracks cross the river. This is part of Ansonia, which hopefully will extend the trail into their town.

Continuing south, split rail fencing runs the entire length of the dike and steel gangplanks jut out towards the river at a ¼ mile and a ½ mile. A switchback takes you underneath the Route 34 Bridge where you emerge next to some active railroad tracks to your right at 0.9 miles. You now travel alongside the riverbank and then pass underneath a railroad bridge at 1.1 miles. This brings you to a T in the trail. You need to head right, but first take a left for a quick detour to a cul-de-sac. From here you have a great view of a railroad trestle over the river. After checking out the trestle, head back to the T and continue straight as the trail runs through a floodplain. To your left is O'Sullivan's Island and a cove. At 1.3 miles you come to junction. Straight ahead is a boat launch area, to your left is an old fire training area, behind and to your left is a dirt trail that takes you out to O'Sullivan's Island and on your right is where the trail continues.

Note; To check out O'Sullivan's Island, take the dirt trail, which can be muddy and follow it for 0.2 miles to the end. Here you have a nice view of where both the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers merge.

Continuing onward, the trail heads up a slight incline underneath Route 8. Notice the split rail fencing on both sides of the trail. Follow the fence on your right to its end and then continue up the trail for 7 paces (2 steps = 1 pace). Look to your right up the rock embankment for a V-shaped shrubby tree. Don't confuse this small tree with a second one to its right. Behind this tree is a small rock on top of a flat rock. Lift the flat rock to reveal the Derby Greenway Letterbox.  Continuing onward, pass beneath the Commodore Hull Bridge (Route 8) and up to the dike overlooking the Housatonic River. There is access her for the boat launch. Follow the dike east until you come to the new pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks at 1 ½ miles. Here a railroad trestle crosses over the river into Shelton. Cross the bridge and the trail will bring you to the Derby/Shelton Bridge at 1 ¾ miles. Look right to spot the old brownstone Birmingham National Bank, built in 1892. From here, you can head right to access Main Street in Derby or head left over the bridge into Shelton and over to the Shelton Canal Locks.

To check out the Shelton Canal Locks; Head left over the Derby/Shelton Bridge (Bridge Street) utilizing the sidewalk. After crossing over the bridge note that Bridge Street continues straight up a ramp to downtown and Route 110. You need to take one of the side ramps (both sides of Bridge St) down to Canal Street and head right. This is on-road, but lightly traveled. Note the old railroad ties embedded in the road. You'll see parts of the old canal along your left. Some sections have been covered. After 3/4 miles you'll pass through a gate and come to one of the remaining canal locks. A signboard is located here with some history of the canal. For more information visit; SHELTON CANAL . The canal and railroad tracks run along your left, while the Housatonic River is down along your right. Duck Island is out in the river. The road ends after a mile near the Derby-Shelton Dam.