By JP Akter
Osbornedale State Park is something that Derby High School students all know about, but few take advantage of its proximity to the school. It is a park that has many trails and beautiful scenery. Derby students who are on the track or cross country teams, in addition to any student who enjoys being outdoors, could benefit from using this park as an after-school activity in the fall and spring.
The land that is now Osborndale State Park originally belonged to the Paugussett tribe of Connecticut, but with the rise of fur trading beginning in the mid-1600s, permanent settlers of European descent gradually moved into the area, purchasing land from the Paugussetts. This land was eventually acquired by John W. Osborne, one of Naugatuck Valley’s first successful industrialists. His granddaughter, Frances Osborne Kellogg, was also a successful businesswoman. She left her land to the state of Connecticut after her death in 1956.
The park is 350 acres large, most of which was acquired later by Osborne Kellog herself. The main house on the property was built in 1840 and was redesigned in the colonial style by Osborne Kellogg’s husband Waldo Kellog in the 1920s. The Osborne house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The home hosted such guests as Amelia Earhart and Eleanore Roosevelt, and is one of fourteen sights along the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail.
In the fall, Osbornedale’s pond reflects the changing colors of leaves. There are many forms of wildlife visible, including deer, ducks, and Canadian geese. There are several picnic tables available, as well as a covered picnic pavilion next to Louise Lake. The smell of smoke from the pavilion’s stone fireplace welcomes visitors. This pavilion can be reserved online for public use at Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection website.
One member of the DHS community who is very familiar with Osborndale is Freshman Coordinator Nick DiLuggo. In addition to supervising the 9th graders, DiLuggo is the track coach and former cross-country coach. He commented “The park is very scenic and there is a nice pond there. There are lots of trails there and it’s challenging terrain, there’s hills, there’s flat parts, there’s brooks and lots of places to explore.”
Osbornedale State Park is a crown jewel of the valley and holds a lot of local history and culture. It is highly encouraged that Derby High School students take advantage of this area.
The Raider Press 