See bridge crossing plans here:
http://nvcogct.org/content/derby-shelton-bridge-enhancements

Thank you planner. I did a lot of searching and found Shelton's plans for the river walk but not this. Understand I don't want to cross the rail road bridge but every day I see it being used to get from the Derby river walk to Shelton's. There is no "official" path but you can easily walk down from the pedestrian bridge right under and across. There is nothing to stop people. I agree crossing that bridge looks a little scary. Saw a man and little boy yesterday. Yikes!

Planner, can you clear something else up? Is THIS picture part of the Shelton river walk? I think the document you posted said something about Avalon giving right of way to this walkway to Shelton... meaning it's part of the river walk but while it is a similar brick path with similar lighting it's not marked as such as comes to a dead stop at the end of Avalon's property meaning you have to trespass to get back to Canal Street. There is also no "link" from one side of Bridge Street to another so ...

It IS part of the Shelton Riverwalk and available for general public use. I do not know the exact legal arrangement that allows non-Avalon residents to get to the Riverwalk over Avalon property (Right of Way?, Public passway?, easement?) however, Shelton's long-range plan is to connect all existing sections and extend the Shelton Riverwalk up to the locks on the west side of the Derby Dam.

The Shelton Economic Development Corp http://sheltonedcorp.org is the implementing agency for the Shelton Riverwalk. You should check with them for specifics about phases and funding, but Shelton has reallocated a federal grant it previously received (originally to connect to the southerly section to the area north of Bridge Street), now State Project # 0126-0163. When ultimately completed, all sections, regardless of who paid to build (state/fed, city or private developer) will be contiguous and open to all members of the public. It is anticipated that the existing grants will be used in combination with other development to connect and extend the two sections of the Riverwalk.

The NVCOG plan to connect the Naugatuck River Greenway in Derby with the Shelton Riverwalk is already funded by the state and will seek to create access from the NRG across the Derby/Shelton Bridge section of Bridge Street, down to Canal Street, the Shelton Riverwalk and eventually somehow cross the rail and connect to Howe Ave. Unfortunately, the Viaduct Bridge section of Bridge Street will not support dedicated bike/ped, so other future means over the rail line must be explored.

Thank you again planner. I was in that area with friends today and while I enjoyed our walk between Avalon and the water Shelton has not installed a single sign to indicate that's the continuation of the Riverwalk. If not for you we would be unsure. It's also over growing with weeds which we think Shelton would want to keep in good condition. Perhaps this post will get us a sign or two. Looking at the collection of abandon factories from the Derby Dam that need to be demolished I don't see the extension to the damn happening anytime in the near future sadly

You should contact SEDC regarding signage and maintenance.

Planner I near you but no one should have to contact anyone about maintenance of the river walk. The agency employs staff who are not going their jobs if they are not inspecting the walk weekly and cleaning, checking for weeds and broken lights and making repairs. Derby replaces portions of its fence weekly (should have used composite for the fence instead of untreated wood that needs endless replacement) but no one has to ask the staff to be the staff.

SEDC does not employ staff. They are the city's arm for development.
I referred you to them because they should be able to answer your questions about access, ownership and Maintenence.

Derby specifically assigned their greenway to DPW from the time it opened and the city purchased equipment to mow, plow and perform emergency rescue. Unfortunately composite split rail was not available when it was built (split rail because wildlife must be able to get through). They would like to do total replacement of the fencing but the cost is astronomical - close to $1 million for composite!

Thank you again planner. It's a shame the risen to the central website people could visit and post questions about the Riverwalk regardless of what city. Ansonia seems to have forgot to finish theirs, Shelton is a patchwork of partly finished projects. Only Derby seems to have it under control and is the most popular with residents.

I do see your point about composite fence for Derby's walk. I'm on it several times a week and I can see that they actively keep going out to replacing pieces of fence that have deteriorated with new pieces of lumber. However, they seem to be stuck in a vicious circle. Composite is too expensive and what they're using has a very short life before it needs replacement again. I wish they could find something in between that would last longer and they could use to replace pieces as needed instead of the same old product that has been proven to fail after a season or so.

To be fair, every town makes investments in pieces. There is a Naugatuck River Greenway website that shows all phases and status of the Greenway from Derby to Winsted. Ansonia is designing their crossing over the rail to Bridge Street. They just got the money to build it.