DERBY — O’Sullivan’s Island has a new recreational hub where people can bike, kayak and paddle board on and along the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers.
Scoot and Paddle, a kayak, stand-up paddleboard and bicycle rental shop, opened for the season on June 9.
Owner Christina Pritchard is looking forward to folks taking advantage of exploring the scenic views, while enjoying outdoor activities.
“We are focused on active and healthy lifestyles and fun for the whole family,” Pritchard said. “Derby is a hidden gem with so many areas to explore by bike or boat. The Derby Greenway is an off-street bike trail along the river allowing for a stress-free ride with lots of wildlife, nature and history to explore.”
The original Scoot and Paddle is located in Milford, where visitors can take advantage of 17 miles of coastline along Long Island Sound. The Milford business has been around for 11 years, according to Pritchard. The business also operated for a time off Roosevelt Drive in Derby.
“I was very interested in having a river location which is traditionally calmer and more predictable than the conditions in Long Island Sound,” Pritchard said. “Many people are afraid of the ocean and prefer the relative safety of the river. Derby has so much to offer with not one but two rivers to explore as well as coves and a myriad of interesting bird watching, fish and wildlife.”
Pritchard said she was particularly drawn to O’Sullivan’s Island because it sits on the confluence of both the Naugatuck and Housatonic rivers, allowing kayakers, paddle boarders and those riding bikes on the Derby Greenway to experience nature at its best.
“Derby is a vibrant community with a deep appreciation for outdoor recreation, and we are excited to offer our customers a chance to experience the natural beauty of this area firsthand,” Pritchard said. “Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that every visitor has an unforgettable time.”
Pritchard said along with herself, the Derby location will have one employee on weekdays and two on hand on weekends. She said because the O’Sullivan’s Island location is new and not well-known yet, she’ll make adjustments with staffing and hours as demand calls for it.
In addition to rentals, Pritchard said a variety of accessories, including life jackets, helmets and other outdoor gear will be available for purchase. She said her staff will assist in helping people choose the right gear for their needs, as well as provide guidance and advice on the best routes and trails in the area. Pritchard noted the equipment is available for all levels, from novices to those more experienced.
Alderman Gino DiGiovanni said Pritchard reached out to him back in 2021 to help scout out a location. DiGiovanni advocated on Pritchard’s behalf to his fellow Aldermen and Alderwomen, who approved a $1 per month lease for Pritchard’s business for one year at the BOA/BOAA meeting on April 17.
“I think it’s a great addition to the area and will draw a lot of people down there,” DiGiovanni said.
Derby’s Chief of Staff Walt Mayhew explained how the city came up with the lease.
“The city has long held a vision of seeing O’Sullivan’s Island used for passive recreation,” Mayhew said. “This use fits perfectly with that vision, and hopefully is a catalyst to more entrepreneurs with dreams looking to help fulfill that vision. Because the use was consistent with that purpose, an unproven or experimental business launch, which cost the city nothing to permit, it was desired to keep the cost to the business owner as low as possible for the initial season.”
Rental pricing for single person kayaks and paddleboards are $25/one hour, $40/two hours and $60 up to four hours. Double kayak are $40/one hour, $55/two hours and $75 up to four hours. Bicycle rentals are $10/one hour, $25 for up to 4 hours and $35 for a full day. Full day pricing is also available for all rentals, Pritchard said.
Scoot and Paddle is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. More information can be found on their website, www.scootandpaddle.com.
O’Sullivan’s Island reopened to the public in 2009 after two decades being closed, due to clean-up of brownfields and PCB removal.
Passive recreation is allowed on the site, though digging of any kind is prohibited.
A new fishing pier/viewing platform is currently under construction in the area. The platform will be 80 feet across, 16 feet wide and extend out 30 feet into the river and will be handicapped-accessible, creating even more passive recreation opportunities.
