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Mr. O'Sullivan, a number of years ago, conceived the idea of establishing a public amusement place on the island at the end of Caroline Street, which has since become Island Park. To him alone is due the credit for the changes that have taken place there. The process was slow, discouraging, and at times burdensome, but Mr. O'Sullivan worked unceasingly with the purpose in mind of turning the island into a public park. He acquired possession of the island and sought to interest others in its development. Over several years he worked to carry out his plans, and, at length, was successful in having a road built from the end of Caroline Street connecting with the island. Much of this work he did with his own hands and under the greatest difficulties the new road passed under the trestle and, at the time, the railroad company was not any too anxious to grant its permission. At length, the connecting road was finished and Mr. O'Sullivan then commenced the task of trying to interest people in a public park. A racetrack was built on one part of the island and several driving races were held there. The lower part of the island he transformed into a field for baseball and football and this became known as O'Sullivan Field. The difficulties which beset Mr. O'Sullivan's efforts continued even after he had constructed the road to the island and had laid out time and money to make the island a public park. During the past few years, however, the island has increased in popularity and is now the playing field for most of the leading baseball and football teams of the city besides being used for the same purpose by the Derby High School teams. It was Mr. O'Sullivan's purpose to make the island a public park along the lines of he old Housatonic Park, but financial support was lacking, and he was content during the last few years to rent the island to traveling carnivals and athletic teams.


DERBY MEADOWS - Tidal, flood-prone land that was unusable for permanent activity until the flood-control measures begun in the 1950s allowed much of the land to be put to use. It extended from the mouth of the Naugatuck River, all the way to Ansonia. It formed a natural barrier between East Derby and BIRMINGHAM. The land, when dry, was used for activities ranging from horse racing to baseball and football to a drive-in movie theater. It was also responsible for one of the first commercial activities in Derby's history in the 1600s - the growing of hops. The area also included O'Sullivan and Hog islands, and for a number of years there was a football field on O'Sullivan's Island. This was sometimes called ISLAND PARK.

ISLAND PARK (Derby) - Better known today as O'Sullivan's Island. This tidal "island" lies at the confluence of the Housatonic and Naugatuck rivers. Over the years it was used for large gatherings such as fairs, carnivals, much the same way as DERBY MEADOWS.



CREDITS:EXCERPTS:Derby Historical Society