A shelter on the bank of a lake reflecting trees and sky (Instagram@kaitlyncasso)

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Osbornedale State Park

Derby, CT

Visit Osbornedale State Park for a hike or fishing expedition, then relax with a picnic or visit the Osborne Homestead Museum and its historic gardens. Environmental science plus changing local artist exhibits are found at the Kellogg Environmental Center. Those looking for another recreational activity during the wintertime, head to Osbornedale where you can skate across the huge frozen pond found within the park — the only area within the state that is constantly tested for safe ice!

Located in the Naugatuck Valley Hills just east of the Housatonic River in Derby and Ansonia, the land was once the lushly forested hunting grounds of the Paugussett Tribe. Colonists began arriving in the late 1650's and gradually traded items such as clothing or cooking utensils for land. Because the Europeans concept of property rights was not embodied in the Indian culture, the Indians often sold the same parcel of land several times.

In 1956, Osbornedale State Park was willed to the people of Connecticut by Frances Osborne Kellogg, granddaughter of John W. Osborne, one of the Naugatuck Valley's early industrial entrepreneurs. By adhering to the belief that one should always buy land but never sell it, Mrs. Kellogg gradually acquired the numerous separate farms which now comprise the 350-acre Osbornedale State Park, an unusually large property in the Derby-Ansonia area. Within the park, Kellogg Environmental Center offers teacher workshops, art exhibits, family nature activities, and general public programs throughout the year.

Views from the Park

A person posing on a picnic table (Instagram@its_benji_bish)

A person sleeping in a hammock near the lake (Instagram@madeyoulookwellness)

A closeup of mushrooms (Instagram@spored_outta_my_mind)

pond water reflecting fall trees (Flickr@Nd-Onyeaso)

Hiking boots in fall leaves (Instagram@beth_scanion)

Three children posing for a picture (Instagram@stjohnstunner)

A group of people under a shelter at the park

A sunset over the pond and fall leaves on the grass (Flickr@Sunday-Drive)

Winter fog on the lake (Instagram@thepatriciaclark)

Location

43 Chatfield Street
Derby, CT 06418

Get Directions

Details

Open Daily
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

Park Maps

Contact

Main (203) 735-4311

Aerial view of fall trees and town (Instagram@valley_aerial_optics)

Activities

Overview

Know Before You Go

An alcohol ban is in place at Osbornedale State Park - alcohol is prohibited
If planning a bus trip, please contact park directly
Trail Map
Trail Map - Mobile

Places To Visit

Fishing

Field Trips

The Kellogg Estate is found within the southwestern part of the Park, at 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby. It is comprised of the Kellogg Historical Gardens, Kellogg Environmental Center and Osborne Homestead Museum. Educational programming provided for schools, youth groups and community organizations. Our skilled education team offers hands-on, engaging educational programs and investigations to encourage students to develop critical thinking skills, explore environmental issues and historical questions. Programs designed for grades 3 - 12 and lifelong learners.

Programs meet NGSS standards, CT Social Studies Standards, and implement Common Core materials in science, math, and language arts for grades 3-12. Programs may be presented either at the Estate, within the Park, and/or at your school/group site. Custom programs are available. To schedule a program, please contact staff at (203) 734-2513 Tuesdays - Saturdays.

Program at the Estate/Park
Length: 2 ½ hours
Fee: $125.00 per classroom (any group of 25 students)
Buses are required to stay on site for the duration of the program.

Program at School/Group Site
Length: 1 hour
Fee: $70.00 per classroom (any group of 25 students)

Grades 3 through 5

Resources: Then, Now and Tomorrow
Students look back in history to compare resource use when Mrs. Frances Osborne Kellogg (1876-1956) lived to current day activities. Students will investigate the museum for changes in technology, evaluate and categorize natural resources through trash investigations and calculate their environmental footprint to understand how our use of resources has changed. Students will identify ways to improve conservation efforts through green technology and personal action. (NGSS: 4-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-1)

Water on the Move
Understanding the role of water in Earth's processes begins with understanding its limits and availability. Students will explore the movement of water in the built and natural environment through hands on simulations and activities that focus on the water cycle, groundwater, watershed mechanics and distribution of water on the globe. Knowing how water behaves is the first step to water conservation and protection. (NGSS: 3-5-ETS1-2, 4-ESS2-2, 3-5-ESS2-2, 5-ESS3-1)

Measuring the Environment
Students participate in citizen science investigations to learn about the methods of science and evaluation used to quantify environmental issues. Activities are provided that are seasonally appropriate and allow for real hands-on participation in data collection. Simulations are dependent on age, group size and season, but can include lichen monitoring, bee behavior, population counts and carrying capacities. (NGSS: 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2, 4-LS1-1 5-LS2-1)

Food for Thought
Explore the history and technology of food and natural resources. Students use historical and scientific information to compare and contrast changes in our food system. Students will look at consumption, availability, and technology in food production from the 1800's to present day. (NGSS: MS-LS2-1, 5-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 5-PS3-1)

Grades 6 through 12

What Color is the Air?
Monitoring of environmental quality is important to help apply methods that reduce human impacts. Students will receive information on what scientists look at to understand air quality. They will use biological indicators and simple particle sensors to see how to monitor air changes. (NGSS: 5-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-LS2-1)

Testing the Waters
We are all drawn to water, but sometimes we harm what we love. Students will make simulated systems and conduct qualitative water tests to evaluate the health of a water environment. Learning how to reduce impacts has resulted in many new materials and design applications. Students will learn about these and how to apply them to reduce impacts in our communities. (NGSS: MS-LS2-1, MS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4)

Our Environmental Footprint by the Numbers
Students investigate the impact humans have on the planet by calculating their own "environmental footprint," thereby showing them the amount of land and water they need to support their lifestyle. Students compare their own environmental footprint to footprints from people around the world. We will focus on the area of carrying capacity, first through wildlife management and then as it applies to human condition. Students will be asked to identify ways to redesign an aspect of needs and wants to help improve resource use as related to lifestyles and consumption of materials. (NGSS: MS-ESS3-4, HS-ETS1-1)

Geology

Osbornedale State Park is a great place for any geology enthusiast. Not only are there several different rock types exposed in the park, but also within the park's boundaries there are geologic folds, quarries, and abandoned mines. Additionally, families can enjoy the wonderful Kellogg Environmental Center that is on the park's property.

Rock Types Found on Main Trail:

Igneous (Diabase), Metamorphic (Schist, Gneiss)

Rock Units:

Carrington Pond Member (Ordovician): Interlayered rusty weathering schist and light gray gneiss; Harrision Gneiss (Ordovician): Medium-grained foliated gneiss