DERBY — U.S. Senator Peter Welch joined local leaders, participants of Derby’s Senior Summer Day Camp, and community members this week to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Derby Park project. The initiative will transform acres of unused land into a new community outdoor park.
Welch secured federal funding for the project through the FY22 Community Project Funding (CPF) process during his last year in the House of Representatives.
“The Derby Park project is a commitment to Derby’s future. It will make an impact on many generations all at once—from the folks with the Senior Summer Day Camp who will get to use the pickleball court to kids who will get to play, learn and grow,” Welch said at the event. “These are tax dollars coming right back to Derby.”
The project will upgrade Derby’s decades-old basketball and tennis courts and convert nearby unused land into a park featuring:
- Basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts
- Walking paths
- 10 fitness stations
- Landscaping
- Parking
- Benches and tables for public use
The pickleball courts are expected to be particularly popular with Derby’s Senior Summer Day Camp, which has over 160 members.
Welch emphasized the project’s importance in creating a space for community members to gather and enjoy Vermont’s natural beauty.
He also noted that this year, as a Senator, he has secured $42.34 million in federal investments to support 19 projects across Vermont, aimed at improving local infrastructure, accessibility, economic revitalization, community landmark preservation, and affordable housing development.
