Derby opens new footbridge at Witek Memorial Park

Lower spillway at Witek Memorial Park was recently repaired. / Contributed photo

DERBY – Just in time for the arrival of the fall hiking season, the new footbridge at Witek Memorial Park is officially opened to the public.

The project was the result of successful collaboration among city staff, Derby aldermen, and community business partners including D’Amico Associates, DiGiovanni & Sons Construction, and A Quick Pick Crane and Rigging Service.

The nine-foot by 22-foot wooden bridge will enable hikers to now safely travel over the spillway and around the lower reservoir without having to traverse the steep hill below the dam and enter Academy Hill Road. 

The bridge includes aprons at either end to allow for wheelchair access.

The footbridge is only one of the projects Derby Public Works recently completed at Witek Memorial Park, a 144-acre park on Derby’s east side. 

The park features two reservoirs, several walking and hiking trails, and two soccer fields.

“Because the bridge was built by DPW employees, labor and materials only cost the city about $8,000,” said DPW Director Anthony DeFala. “If we had outsourced the job, it would have probably cost about $50,000,” DeFala said. Additional improvements recently completed at Witek Park include:

• Replacement of the roof on a small accessory building near the spillway

• Installation of new fencing

• Newly landscaped entry way 

• Repairs to the parking lot and drainage system along Academy Hill Road 

• Improvements to the parking area near the soccer fields

• Repairs to the lower spillway in accordance with mandates by state dam inspector

Mayor Anita Dugatto praised the improvements. “The work done at Witek Park was motivated by a concern for public safety and persistent maintenance needs. By doing as much work as possible in-house, we controlled our costs and were able to maximize our investment in this community asset,” she said.

This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office.