Lowes Home Improvement donated four picnic tables for O’Sullivan’s Island along the Derby Green.
The tables were unveiled Tuesday morning.
It’s the latest improvement for O’Sullivan’s Island — once a contaminated waste site marked by signs urging people to stay away.
A federally-funded clean-up ended last year. Staffieri’s administration has been applying for and receiving grants to continue beautifying the spot.
Today the contamination is gone and the area is a field with fresh grass and young trees. It’s actually a peninsula, stretching out into the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers.
Mayor Anthony Staffieri said it’s the perfect place for passive recreation.
“Last year I told Derby residents that the next step will be to create a park-like atmosphere for all to enjoy,” Staffieri said in a prepared statement. “Today, Lowes is bringing us one step closer. They are generously donating picnic tables to be enjoyed by those who pass by on the greenway and walk onto the Island. We have come a long way and now it is finally nearing the time when we will be able to fully enjoy the beauty of our new recreational area.”
“We are pleased to donate genuine Lowes material and labor to help Derby transform O’Sullivan’s Island. Lowes is proud to contribute to the community in which they do business in and we are excited to put these picnic tables to good use.” aaid Miriam Krieger-Slen, store manager at the Derby Lowes on Route 34.
Derby’s Public Works Department worked with Lowes to install the picnic tables. The DPW also maintains and cleans the island.
More Improvements To Come
The Valley Council of Government secured a grant which will include building a handicapped accessible fishing pier, improvements to the current (make-shift) boat launch, the planting of non-invasive species of plants and creating a culvert around the island. The City of Derby continues to pursue additional funding for a number of improvements to come.
Note: Shelton Trails has a great write-up of O’Sullivan’s Island on its blog. Check it out.
