Derway Island is actually not an island, but a peninsula! The park is a nature preserve acquired with help from The Nature Conservancy, who maintains a conservation easement over the land. A loop trail leads to the Derway Cove while an out and back trail travels across the peninsula. Nearby Mayes Landing is a popular location for fishing and birding right at the mouth of the Winooski.

Defined by the meandering and flooding Winooski River, these natural areas at the northern-most point in Burlington offer a grand opportunity to stroll through the wetlands and watch for wildlife, especially birds. If you fancy a sunny spot to sit and watch the world go by, Mayes Landing’s grassy slope down to the river from the Burlington Greenway bike path will meet your needs. If you’d rather be immersed in shrub swamps and a forest of towering trees, then the Derway Island Trail is the side to be on.

The diversity of wildlife is high because of the varied plant communities found in a relatively small area. Songbirds are numerous, and it is an important area for wading birds. Osprey and other birds of prey have been sighted as well as a variety of ducks. Larger mammals, such as beaver, muskrat, raccoon, fox, otter, mink and deer are also known to use the area.

The watery channels within this Nature Preserve are important breeding areas for several species of fish from Lake Champlain such as northern pike and chain pickerel. The isolated nature of the land makes it an important stop for migrating birds.