Valerie Chandler, 12, from Oxford.
DERBY – Fisherman and outdoor enthusiasts alike have a great new place to get hooked on.
The long-awaited opening of a new handicapped-accessible fishing pier and viewing platform happened Thursday (July 13) at O’Sullivan’s Island.
Federal, state and local officials, along with several Valley residents, gathered at the new pier to officially cut the ribbon and welcome anglers and others to the tranquil spot overlooking the Housatonic River.
Located on O’Sullivan’s Island, just past 1 Caroline St., the new pier and platform is 80 feet long, 16 feet wide and extends 30 feet into the river. It includes benches, a lowered railing for ADA-accessible casting, a bait cutting station with flowing water to keep it clean, and a collection station for discarded fishing lines.
The project has been about a decade in the making.
Thanks to funding from various sources over the years, including a $200,000 grant from the state Department of Economic and Community Development for site assessments and soil remediation; a $325,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an additional $204,252 from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Federal Sport Fish Restoration program, the project was able to come to fruition.
“This is a significant part of the fulfillment of a decade-long vision for the use of O’Sullivan’s Island as a location for passive recreation in our city,” said Mayor Richard Dziekan. “The pier offers universal accessibility features to ensure everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, can enjoy the thrill of fishing in a scenic and comfortable environment.”
Dziekan lauded his former Chief of Staff Andrew Baklik, who now works for Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments, which administered the grants for the project and collaborated with Derby and HRP Associates on the engineering and project design.
“A big part of this project was to make it handicapped-accessible,” said Dziekan. “Drew’s dad was in a wheelchair so Drew took this project on, and I’m so glad people with disabilities can use this platform.”
Baklik was sure his late dad was looking down over the pier and smiling.
“This project is very near and dear to my heart,” Baklik said. “I grew up with a father who was a paraplegic from the time I was three years old. When we were doing the initial planning and public outreach for this project I was pleased to be able to add some input on the design from a real-world, ADA perspective. I know my dad would have really, really loved to see this project come to completion, especially having grown up about a mile west of here and spending his childhood on the river.”
Baklik thanked the many agencies involved in making the project happen, including NVCOG, DEEP, U.S. EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, mayor’s office past and present, the Derby Board of Aldermen/Alderwomen, HRP Associates and others for a job well done.
Oxford resident Valerie Chandler, 12, was on hand to try her luck fishing for stripers. She was with her dad, Rich Chandler, who is an engineer with HRP Associates.
“I fish all the time and have been doing it since I was about seven-ish,” Valerie said. “I think it’s awesome and I’m really excited to fish here. I’ll probably come here a few times a month with my dad.”
Chandler, an avid fisherman himself, said he’s fished in this area “a million times,” and is thrilled people now have the new pier and platform to further enhance their experience.
“Locally in the Valley, this was always the spot to come to fish for sure,” Chandler said. “This is a lot better now, with places to sit and better access to the deeper water.”
Carlos Arrindell, of Oxford, cast the first official line off the pier with Dziekan.
“I’m an avid fisherman and have been fishing here for more than 10 years,” Arrindell said. “This new pier is awesome and it’s very beautiful what they’ve done here. My son caught his first striped bass here, a monster.”
DEEP Deputy Commissioner Mason Trumble, on hand for the ribbon-cutting, said standing on the new pier brought back fond childhood memories for him.
“I remember the first fish I caught when I was six years old and it was off a dock,” said Trumble.
Trumble added that DEEP has been focusing its efforts on providing equitable access to the outdoors for everyone.
“The cool thing about this project is you don’t need a $50,000 boat or a house on the water to experience the outdoors. This dock makes it easy and accessible to get out there and catch some fish and enjoy the outdoors.”
The new pier and platform is located nearby one of Derby’s newest businesses, Scoot and Paddle‑a kayak, bike and paddleboard rental place to enjoy passive recreation on O’Sullivan’s Island.
