Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 101 !(9 !(5 !(3 !(4 !(2 !(1 !(13 !(12 !(10 !(8 !(7 !(6 !(11 !(9 !(5 !(3 !(4 !(2 !(1 !(13 !(12 !(10 !(8 !(7 !(6 !(11 & MILLER'S NECK ROAD DIRICKSON ROAD CAMP BARNES ROAD REFUGE REFUGE × OFFICE Æ 35 ACRE POND MILLER CREEK LITTLE ASSAWOMAN BAY MULBERRY LANDING MULBERRY POND STRAWBERRY LANDING SASSAFRAS LANDING 65 ACRE POND GOOSE POND ZIGZAG MARSH DIRICKSON CREEK Æ54 d[ Æ1 Ë !: Æ1 <DELAWARE STATE POLICE SUMMER YOUTH CAMP CAMP BARNES THE BOUNDARIES SHOWN ON THIS MAP ARE APPROXIMATE AND ARE ONLY TO BE USED AS A GUIDE. PLEASE OBEY ALL SIGNS POSTED IN THE AREA. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT A BOUNDARY, PLEASE CONTACT THE AREA MANAGER. 0 1,200 2,400 Feet E ! Wildlife Area Refuge Tour Stops Trail State Road Established Dirt Road !(9 The solid wood pavilion at Mulberry Landing is evidence of a 1930s Works Progress Administration economic stimulus package. to pull over, park and take walks and hikes. The first side road inside the entrance, bearing off to the left, takes walkers and drivers to Sassafras Landing, midway up Miller Creek. Around a bend farther upstream, the Delaware State Police operate a summer camp for disadvantaged youth known as Camp Barnes. Bald eagles nest along Miller Creek, so be sure to scan the shoreline trees for regally perched birds with their trademark, brilliantly white-feathered heads. Assawoman Wildlife Area also has separate areas in the region – one north of Miller Creek – where there are wilder hiking opportunities used primarily by hunters. Be aware of hunting seasons as you explore any of these areas. More information and maps for those areas are available at Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control website: www.dnrec.state.de.us. Walt Bryan photographs, Dennis Forney text.
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104 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 Chattering kingfishers enliven the quiet of this pretty, peaceful path The mile-long Assawoman Canal Trail in the Bethany Beach and Ocean View area provides a sweet introduction to this quiet waterway dug decades ago. It connects - via White’s Creek at its northern end - Indian River Bay and Little Assawoman Bay. Those in small boats, canoes, kayaks and on paddle boards enjoy the quiet waters of the shallow canal and its roughly two-mile length. The Assawoman Canal Trail is one of the latest in the Delaware Division of Parks extensive system of trails. A first-class trailhead on Town Road features parking and clean, well-lit restrooms. Town Road heads northward off Rt. 26 just west of the bridge over the canal. With a firm and fine gravel surface, the trail goes north from here, through quiet natural sections and residential areas. Tall loblolly pines sway over the trail and provide shade and relief from heat in the summer. A variety of shorebirds and songbirds accompany walkers and riders. The striking black, white and gray kingfishers - the size of bluejays - feed on the small fish in the canal and chatter distinctively as they flit from branch to branch celebrating their catches. The trail comes to an end on the north end where it meets the Ocean View Marina and where the canal opens up to White’s Creek. The Assawoman Canal Trail is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. ASSAWOMAN CANAL TRAIL The Assawoman Canal Trail connects Rt. 26 on the south end, and Ocean View’s Central Avenue near the north end. It parallels the recreational waterway from which it derives its name. Parking and restrooms for the Assawoman Canal Trail are available at the trailhead on Town Road near the Rt. 26 crossing of the canal.
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108 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 Meander through boardwalked woods to beach and marsh views The James Farm Ecological Preserve is an oasis of wild land in Ocean View, Delaware located along the southern shore of Indian River Bay just a short drive from Bethany Beach. In 1992, the Preserve property was given to Sussex County by the late Mary Lighthipe, a descendant of the James family who farmed the land for generations. This generous donation was made in memory of her son, Harold, on the condition that the property be used for educational and recreational purposes. The Preserve has been managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays on behalf of Sussex County since 1998. At this 150-acre retreat, you can relax on calm bayside beach, observe native plants and animals, and hike a variety of trails through seven different habitats. Near the parking area, the meadow hosts native milkweed that is aflutter each fall with migrating monarchs. In the nearby maritime forest, whitetailed deer and foxes make their home among the loblolly pines and American holly. Interspersed within, small patches of hardwood forest feature hickories, oaks and wild black cherry. Small freshwater wetlands absorb flood water during storms, while bayside salt marshes support salt marsh cordgrass, glasswort, and mussels. Sandy beaches are critical nesting habitats for Diamondback Terrpins and Horseshoe Crabs, and are feeding JAMES FARM • Distance: Six different trails cover approximately 2.5 miles. • Calories burned: About 225 walking. • Parking: From Route 1 south of Indian River Inlet, turn west on Fred Hudson Road and then north on Cedar Neck Road. Turn left into James Farm Ecological Preserve and parking will be immediately evident. • Trail Highlights: Hikers will find a variety of coastal habitats to explore at James Farm with wellmarked trails and educational signs. One of the trails ends at an Inland Bays beach where clear water reveals a number of oyster farming experiments in progress. Birdwatchers will appreciate elevated blinds that look over forest and marsh. Dogs are welcome and must be on leash. Please pick up after your dog. James Farm is equipped with restrooms, and it is a carry in-carry out preserve. JAMES FARM ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE Well-marked and maintained trails give great natural access to this special place donated to the people and visitors of Sussex County by Mary Lighthipe and managed by the Center for the Inland Bays. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 109 grounds for shorebirds. In the mud of the adjacent intertidal flats, fiddler crabs, mollusks, and shrimp are adpated to the harsh environment that is overwashed by salty tides twice daily. The Inland Bays support 100+ species of fish and 40+ species of shellfish. These three bays are a brackish estuary, receiving fresh water from rivers and creeks and saltwater from the Atlantic. In 2021, the Center launched a major campaign to expand the organizations mission to enhance and preserve Delaware’s Inland Bays and educate the public about recreational and environmental benefits of these amazing natural resources. Learn more at www.inlandbays.org. 0 200 400 Feet Boardwalk Pasture Point Cove Indian River Bay Education Area Info Kiosk Beach Cove Event Area Beach Red Trail Orange Trail Green Trail Yellow Trail Blue Trail Purple Trail Unmarked Trail Parking Areas Lookout Platforms Restrooms An observation platform gives visitors a birds-eye view of the marsh. Mark Carter contributed this article. He is currently the Director of Development at inlandbays.org.
110 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 Walking Wisdom Walking gets the feet moving, the blood moving, the mind moving. And movement is life. – Carrie Latet Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow. – Anita Desai After a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value. – George Macauley Trevelyan When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking. – Arthur Conan Doyle A walk in nature walks the soul back home. – Mary Davis The world is not in your books and maps, it’s out there. – J.R.R. Tolkien Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time – Steven Wright To ride a bicycle is in itself some protection against superstitious fears, since the bicycle is the product of pure reason applied to motion. Give me two spheres and a straight line and I will show you how far I can take them. – Angela Carter Nature is also great fun. To pretend that nature isn’t fun is to miss much of the joy of being alive. – Diane Ackerman 201-232-8566 mobile 302-539-1777 office [email protected] 89 Atlantic Ave. Ocean View, DE 18870 Serving the Delaware Beaches Operated by a coldwellbanker.com subsidiary of NRT LLC Robert Fitzgerald REALTOR® • No Memberships Required • 1-to-1 Attention in Private Studio • Convenient Location - Free Parking • Senior Fitness Certified • First Session FREE with this Ad CHRISTOPHER SELITTO 302-362-3333 • 1521 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958 Bountiful Bowls *33809 Dreamweaver Lane *412 E. Savannah Rd (by beach) 2 Locations in Lewes, DE: (302) 490-1287 Açaí Bowls, Cold-Pressed Juices, Smoothies, Salads, & More… www.BountifulBowlsDE.com
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112 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 This long and easy trail passes through bald cypress swamps The Bob Trail at Trap Pond State Park, near Laurel in western Sussex County is, at 4.6 miles, one of the longer trails in the county. It starts near the large picnic and pond area at the western end of the park and then heads southeast around the southern side of the cypress-studded pond. Near the beginning of the trail, make sure to stop into the nice nature center, an impressive structure designed by state employees and constructed from native woods. The trail, which includes long, winding stretches through hardwood forest, also skirts Wootten and Whaley’s roads at the park’s eastern end, crossing a scenic dam at Raccoon Pond. Bethesda Church and its associated cemetery along Whaley’s Road are worth a stop and a closer look, especially for the headstones that feature artwork from a century gone by. A few hundred yards past the church, the trail dives back into the forest off of Whaley’s Road and leads eventually to the 130-site Trap Pond camping area where visitors will find tent sites, yurts and cabins for rent on a nightly basis or for up to two consecutive weeks between May and the end of November. Just before the camping area, the Bob Trail goes past Cypress Point where there are good views of the extensive stands of bald cypress trees, which thrive in the freshwater of the 90-acre pond. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes and ears out for the elusive but grand pileated woodpeckers that inhabit freshwater marshes with stands of cypress. Walter Lantz fashioned his Woody the Woodpecker character after pileated woodpeckers. Those with a good ear for rhythm and sound may hear the pileated’s distinctive song, which Lantz also copied for his character. The size of a large crow, the pileated woodpecker hammers into the bark of cypress and other trees with the deep, resonating thumping of a jackhammer. If you see a large black bird winging through the trees with white flashes on its wings, take a closer look and follow its flight. If you see it land on the side of a tree, you will be rewarded with the unforgettable sight of its huge, red-crested head. The Bob Trail continues through the campground, and then skirts around the western end of Trap Pond and another larger and scenic dam before turning back into the picnic area where it started. Walkers should count on an hour and a half to complete the circuit while bicyclists can make their way around in less than an hour. The trail has an excellent walking and riding surface. Boardwalk bridges in places provide a closer view of the freshwater swamp that gives way in places to the pond. Those who walk this trail and the trails in Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge will gain a better appreciation for the difference between salt- BOUNDARY TRAIL water marshes and freshwater swamps. • Distance: 4.8 miles. • Calories burned: 400 walking, 250 biking. • Parking: Picnic area or campground area, Trap Pond State Park. • Tour Highlights: Trap Pond State Park is located in southwestern Sussex County, just off Route 24 east of Laurel. The Bob Trail encircles Trap Pond, home of the northernmost, natural stand of bald cypress trees in the U.S. The freshwater swamp studded with these stately trees is home to the elusive pileated woodpecker. The park also features a marked canoe trail on one of the waterways flowing into the pond. The park offers camping with cabins and yurts from May through November. The nature center at Trap Pond offers great displays about the birds, animals and plants of the unique ecosystem. There’s plenty of parking near the center and trails head out from this point. TRAP POND STATE PARK • BOB TRAIL
Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 113 Trap Pond State Park offers a canoe trail for those who want to explore from the waterside and there are also horse trails for those who arrive with equine friends. Not far from Trap Pond is Trussom Pond which, opposed to the more open Trap Pond, is filled with the curious bald cypress trees. Those who take the time to visit Trussom Pond will think they have crossed the border into a far more southern state. Trap and Trussom ponds feature the northernmost natural stands of bald cypress in the United States. Both ponds have landing areas where people can launch canoes and kayaks for intimate exploring. Trap Pond was created in the late 1700s to power a sawmill for processing large bald cypress cut from the area. The Federal Government later purchased the pond and surrounding farmland during the 1930s and the Civilian Conservation Corps began to develop the area for recreation. Trap Pond became one of Delaware’s first state parks, in 1951. Maps and park information are available in the Bald Cypress Nature Center at the park. Walt Bryan contributed this article and photographs. The Bob Trail is marked in red on this map, courtesy of Delaware’s Division of Parks. Canoe, paddle board, kayak on Trap Pond, or walk or cycle on the great trails to enjoy a wonderful outdoors experience.
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116 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 This low-maintenance park offers western Sussex hiking and biking Sussex County opened a new park at the site of a former par-3 golf course near Woodland about five miles southwest of Seaford in July of 2015. The 20-acre park near the Nanticoke River and the Woodland Ferry crossing features nearly a mile of trails, two ponds, and is open dawn to dusk. The land was purchased for $580,000 in 2010 by the county as a spoils site for the Nanticoke River dredge project. Only 21 acres of the total parcel were needed for the dredge spoils. County council then approved $143,000 to construct the park which is on the site of the former Woodland Golf Park. The park’s design, with its emphasis on passive recreation such as hiking and birdwatching, is intended to keep maintenance costs low. No golfing facilities remain and most of the park’s design is being left up to nature. There is no fee charged for use of the Woodland Park and parking is available near the entrance area. The nearby Woodland Ferry, also free, provides a crossing of the Nanticoke River for those who want to add a fun twist to their explorations of the westernmost reaches of Sussex County. Woodland Park offers a great opportunity for a hiking and biking adventure including the park trail, the Woodland Ferry and flat, peaceful roads. Those roads carry south along the river and westward into the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The only other county-owned park in Sussex County is the James Farm Preserve located near Ocean View, which is managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. (See an article elsewhere in this guide about the James Farm Preserve.) WESTERN SUSSEX • WOODLAND PARK Entranceway to Woodland Park trail, not far from the historic Woodland Ferry and the new kayak launch and fishing pier on the Nanticoke River. WOODLAND PARK NEAR THE NANTICOKE RIVER • Distance: One mile. • Calories burned: Walk the onemile trail three times at a moderate pace and burn more than 300 calories. • Parking: Free parking near entrance on Woodland Road. • Trail Highlights: This low-maintenance, passive recreation area is one of only two county-owned parks in Sussex. Located just north of the riverside hamlet of Woodland.
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Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 119 Bethany 302-537-2616 Dewey 302-227-6554 Lewes 302-645-6661 Rehoboth 302-227-6101 ©2024 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. PenFedRealty.com | BeachRentalsDelaware.com Sunset on Gordons Pond Trail in Lewes, DE. From trails to tides, you will find what you’re looking for at the Delaware Beach Resorts. Explore properties for sale and vacation rental homes today. We cover it all. Upgrade your views.
120 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 Nanticoke Conservancy protecting land, providing four miles of trails For over 30 years, the Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy has been working to preserve important natural lands in the huge Nanticoke River watershed. That watershed drains almost a quarter of Delaware’s total landmass, primarily in western Sussex County. The Nanticoke starts in Delaware and crosses over into Maryland before making its ways southwestward into Tangier Sound and Chesapeake Bay. The river is considered one of the most pristine rivers on the Delmarva Peninsula. In the heart of the watershed, just west of Seaford, the Nanticoke Conservancy manages the 300-acre Chapel Branch complex of woods, meadows and wetlands. From its parking lot at 492 Woodland Road, the Conservancy maintains a four-mile system of intersecting trails. Some cross meadows, others work their way along the clean waterway known as Chapel Branch that flows southward before emptying into the Nanticoke. In 1991 the DuPont Company, which operated a major nylon plant in Seaford, announced it planned to timber the Chapel Branch acreage. That spurred the formation of the Nanticoke Conservancy which raised money to match what DuPont would have earned from timber sales. The conservancy then entered into a perpetual conservation and management easement for the property. The trails of Chapel Branch are both well-established and developing. Some have been used as a cross country course by area schools for decades. Others are being added and expanded by volunteers who love being outdoors and the camaraderie of working together. Marlene Mervine, executive director of the Nanticoke Conservancy, said in 2018 eight and a half acres of pollinator meadows were prepared and seeded with a National Fish and Wildlife Service grant. They are part of a contiguous 19-acre parcel on the west side of Chapel Branch where chicken houses once stood. The trail surfaces are cleared and natural with directional signs provided by volunteers. An observation deck with a bench is constructed over the clear waters of Chapel Branch. In the early spring, river herring can be seen in the shallow waters there making their annual spawning run. Hikers of all ages will enjoy the beautiful upland terrain with three ponds and much more. CHAPEL BRANCH NATURE AREA This map gives a sense of the trail system in the Chapel Branch Nature Area. Google Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy for information. Bench Locations Woodland Road 5K Beaver Pond Trail Beech Tree Trail Chapel Branch Trail Service Road Three Ponds Upland Trail Parking Lot Chapel Branch N 500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 ft Made by Colton H. Phillips for Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy November 14, 2018 Chapel Branch Nature Area is marked by this sign donated by Dogfish Head Brewery. River herring spawning in the clean waters of Chapel Branch.
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122 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 NANTICOKE WILDLIFE AREA More than 4,500 acres offer lots of opportunities to get outside The Nanticoke Wildlife Area’s 4,510 acres on both sides of the Nanticoke River and Broad Creek west of Laurel and southwest of Seaford offer extensive opportunities for outdoor activities including hunting, hiking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching and more. For those who enjoy history, the Phillips Landing picnic, fishing and launching area near the confluence of Broad Creek and the Nanticoke River presents an impressive stone marker commemorating the early 1600s exploration of this area by Capt. John Smith. This is one of the few places in Sussex County and Delaware where visitors get a Chesapeake Bay perspective. The Nanticoke River drains all of western Sussex County and empties into the Chesapeake between Maryland’s Dorchester and Wicomico counties. Studded with dozens of osprey and bald eagle nests, the Nanticoke is considered the most pristine river in the gigantic Chesapeake watershed. Seaford stands near the headwaters of the Nanticoke, Laurel at the headwaters of Broad Creek and the historic shipbuilding village of Bethel lies along Broad Creek between Laurel and the mouth of the creek. In the midst of it all is the free Woodland Ferry which crosses the Nanticoke while remaining connected to a thick, braided metal cable to help it stay on course whilst fighting the strong ebbing and flooding tides. Area headquarters for Nanticoke Wildlife Area is located along the Old Sharptown Road which runs west from Laurel. It is located in what is known as the south area of the wildlife area. The west section of the Nanticoke Wildlife Area lies on the other side of the river. Most of the trails and hunting and fishing opportunities lie along both sides of Broad Creek. A dirt-road multi-use trail used by horseback riders, bicyclists and walkers winds its way through the woods and cutover feed plots between the Old Sharptown Road and Phillips Landing Road. This road had been open to drivers but due to vandalism and illegal dumping it has now been gated off and closed to motorized vehicle traffic. A number of deer-stand trails branch off this multi-use trail. Check Delaware hunting regulations to determine which might be the best times to hike in the Nanticoke Wildlife Area public lands. Other than for spring turkey season, hunting seasons are also closed from March 1 through Aug. 31 although special hunting seasons such as the conservation order to help thin the snow goose population can also be Visitors to the Nanticoke Wildlife Area may want to include a crossing of the Woodland Ferry in their trip. A commemorative marker to Capt. John Smith’s visit to Broad Creek in the late 1600s.
Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 123 in effect. When in doubt, it’s best to contact the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife at 302-739-9912 for further information on when it’s best to access these wild lands. There is ample parking at Phillips Landing and limited parking at gates and along the multi-use trail. There are picnic areas at Phillips Landing and the smaller but no less beautiful Edward Koch Wildlife Area. They are both along Broad Creek and offer scenic views of the creek beneath towering loblolly pines. The hard banks of the creek also offer good fishing opportunities. Much of the Nanticoke Wildlife Area was dedicated in 1988 to honor the hard and fruitful work of Robert L. Graham of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and formerly of the Delaware Fish and Game Commission. Graham spent many years working to acquire the Nanticoke lands for the state and is also credited with reintroducing the wild turkey in Delaware. Nanticoke Wildlife Area is open to the public from sunrise to sunset except for those lawfully engaged in hunting or fishing. In nearby downtown Laurel, a picturesque waterfront park with a pleasant walkway runs along the headwaters of Broad Creek.
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126 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 Three walking trails, playground, waterfront views and history The City of Seaford has four walking trails within city limits. The Seaford Sports Complex Walking Path has two sidewalk trails of one-quarter mile and one-half mile lengths. The trails are located next to athletic fields, the popular Jay’s Nest playground, the Seaford District Library and the historic Gov. Ross Mansion. The trail is located off Virginia Avenue and Pine Street Ext. The Soroptimist Park Walking Trail is one-quarter mile of crushed gravel in a park that includes playground equipment, a pavilion and great views of William’s Pond. The trail is located off Middleford Road. The Hooper’s Landing Fitness Trail is the longest of the city’s trails and is popular with runners and cyclists as well as walkers. The 1.8-mile trail goes around Hooper’s Landing Golf Course in the middle of the city. The trail includes sections of newly installed sidewalk and roads that have marked shoulders. Williams Pond Park is located off Stein Highway, about ¼ mile East of Nutter Park. It is primarily used in the Spring and Summer seasons to host youth baseball and softball games for the Nanticoke Little League. Surrounding the fields is an access road for vehicles, but can also be used as a track for walkers/joggers. For more information about Seaford’s trails, phone 302-629-9173. Ron MacArthur contributed this article and photographs with information also sourced from seafordde.com. CITY OF SEAFORD • WALKING AND BIKING The City of Seaford uses this Google Earth map to show the layout of the Hooper’s Landing Trail. Seaford’s three trails are marked with signs detailing the course and mileage. The Acorn Club of Seaford sponsors this trail.
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130 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 Rotary will build accessible playground Project will enhance Sussex County Land Trust’s Hudson Park trailhead amenities A partnership between Rotary clubs and Sussex County Land Trust will provide the first Can-Do Playground in the county. The announcement was made Nov. 4 at the 30-acre Hudson Park during the land trust’s fall festival. Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club playground project organizers Jack Riddle and Pete Booker said the county’s six Rotary Clubs will be involved in the project estimated to cost $700,000 to $800,000. The park is located at the intersection of Cool Spring Road and Route 9 in Cool Spring east of Harbeson. Riddle said Rotary members identified a need for an accessible playground, but it took them three years to find a partner. Riddle said land trust board member Judy Schwartz was instrumental in making a connection between the two organizations. “We are excited and anxious for this to happen. It will make a difference in the county,” Riddle said. Without the land trust’s help, the project wouldn’t have happened. Riddle said raising funds for the playground will be hard enough, but if they also had to purchase property, the project probably would’ve been nixed. Now, land is not an issue, as it will be built at the land trust’s Hudson Park trailhead for the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail. Booker, who helped build the first Can-Do Playground in Delaware in Wilmington, said the playground will have four separate spaces for: 2- to 5-year-olds, 5- to 12-year-olds, a swing area and, for the first time, a sensory play area. “Because we have the room to do it, this playground will have a quiet play area for kids with cognitive issues,” he said. “The playground will be designed for families who need special accessibility.” Rotary has been working on Can-Do Playgrounds for 20 years. Booker said at least 70% of the playground equipment will be available to all children. In addition, he said, Rotary members involved in the project will bring together stakeholders who deal with special-needs children to discuss their ideas for the playground. Mark Chura, land trust executive director, said they expect the trailhead to be used extensively. “One thing we didn’t expect was this partnership with Rotary. We are thrilled to work with them to meet their goal of an accessible playground,” he said. Another Can-Do Playground was built in Milford on Patriots Way. Land trust update Heidi Gilmore, land trust chair, said Hudson Park is the first land trust park project to come to life. She said work on Hopkins Preserve along Sweetbriar Road near Lewes will begin next year. And the county and land trust have partnered to preserve the 300-acre Forest of the Broadkill site near Milton. “The county is partnering with us to bring public access to these sites,” Gilmore said. Board member Mike Dickinson said the land trust exists because of people who want to preserve the beautiful places in the county that are not at the beach. The land trust has expanded its preservation program across the county, including Nanticoke Crossing near the Woodland Ferry near Seaford. Board member and Sussex County Councilman John Rieley said the partnership with the land trust is important to the county. And the county has been able to devote more and more funds to land preservation because of its strong financial situation. However, he said, the Hudson Park PENNONI ASSOCIATES GRAPHIC A draft plan for Hudson Park contains several additions including a CanDo Playground, paved parking, restrooms, pavilion and meadow.
Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 131 Planning today to protect your family’s tomorrow. WE HELP FAMILIES: Create Wills and Powers of Attorney Utilize Trusts for probate avoidance Shelter assets from long term care costs Apply for Medicaid & VA long term care benefits Preserve public benefits for persons with special needs Administer their loved ones’ estates 1519 Savannah Road Lewes, DE 19958 Tel. 302.628.4140 •••••••••••••••••••••••••• www.pwwlaw.com Serving Delaware Families Virtually or In-office Lewes, DE or Seaford, DE project will take more money than the county could possibly commit to. Hudson Park was purchased in 2019 through a partnership with Sussex County, Delaware Open Space Council and Delaware Division of Parks. The county allotted $450,000 toward the purchase. Chura said the trailhead is constructed to offer a safe stop on the trail. A section of the trail from the trailhead to Fisher Road has been constructed with a signalized crossing at the Fisher RoadHudson Road intersection. “I know a lot of people remember crossing Route 9 here when there was a rail line. We are trying to eliminate that memory and provide a safer crossing,” Chura said. A ribbon was cut Sept. 26 to open Phase 1 of the project, which includes trail access and parking. Phase 2 will include more parking and a perimeter trail around the property, with work expected to begin in spring 2024. Phase 3 will include the playground, pavilion, restrooms, parking, shade structures, bike racks and a bicycle repair station, in addition to converting the existing farm field into a pollinator meadow. Ron MacArthur contributed this article. He offers local insights in his column Around Sussex, available in the Cape Gazette. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO The Sussex County Land Trust Fall Festival at Hudson Park highlights the new trailhead for the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail. In addition, Rotary volunteers announced a plan for an accessible playground at the park.
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Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 135 JOIN US SUNDAYS 9 & 10:30AM You're invited to join us at Discover Church! Centrally located in Georgetown, DE, each weekend you’ll experience a welcoming atmosphere and a powerful message of hope. The kids will have a blast with activities designed specifically for them! Be part of our gatherings every Sunday at 9 & 10:30 am! Stay connected with DC on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube Visit Our Website www.discoverchurch.cc 406 S Bedford St. Georgetown, DE 19947 Curtis & Amy Jones Lead Pastors Nursery PreSchool Elementary DC KIDS (6 weeks - 5th grade) 302 STUDENT MINISTRY For Middle & High School Students
136 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 360 Property Solutions .................................................102 All Mobility Store ............................................................88 AMX................................................................................88 Atlantic Aluminum Products ...........................................58 Atlantic Chiropractic........................................................92 Atlantic Liquors...............................................................68 Avery Hall........................................................................58 Backyard Works..............................................................27 Baird, Mandalas, Brockstedt & Federico .........................65 Baker Petroleum ...........................................................102 Bayhealth Total Care........................................................39 Beach Time Distilling.......................................................70 Beebe Healthcare ..........................................................111 Berkshire Hathaway – The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group ...139 Bershire Hathaway – PenFed Realty..............................119 Best Shot ......................................................................114 The Blue Water House...................................................132 Bonnie M. Benson, P.A....................................................38 Bountiful Bowls.............................................................110 Brick Works ....................................................................23 Bryton Homes...............................................................107 Cape May-Lewes Ferry..................................................137 Capstone Homes...........................................................127 Chesapeake Wellness Advisors.......................................80 City of Lewes ..................................................................26 Coldwell Banker Realty – Robert Fitzgerald...................110 Community Bank Delaware ...............................................5 Compass RE – Christine Macysyn ..................................22 Compass RE – Val Ellenberger........................................11 The Cultured Pearl ........................................................129 Delaware Bay & River Authority ......................................89 Delaware Center for the Inland Bays ...............................80 Delaware Electric Cooperative.........................................12 Delaware Public Media....................................................85 DiPietro Law .................................................................118 Discover Church............................................................135 DRB Homes ....................................................................95 DryZone ..........................................................................33 Eagle’s Nest Church ........................................................87 Fifer’s ............................................................................114 Fine Day 102.3 FM ..........................................................55 FitWell Personal Training – Christopher Selitto .............110 Floral 302........................................................................22 Georgetown Chamber of Commerce .............................105 Graulich Builders.............................................................93 Grotto Pizza.....................................................................31 High Five Creative ...........................................................71 Historic Lewes Farmers Market.......................................34 Hosmane Cardiology & Eye Care ....................................72 Hudson Management....................................................121 Hyatt House ....................................................................12 The Inn at Canal Square ................................................124 Insight Homes...............................................................115 The Insurance Market .....................................................17 Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant ...........................................47 Jack Lingo Realtor ..........................................................35 Jimmy’s Grille ...............................................................140 Johnny Janosik .............................................................118 Just Comfort Shoes ............................................... 16 & 30 KSI..................................................................................13 Lane Builders ................................................................124 Lewes Chamber of Commerce ........................................61 Lewes Cycle Sports.........................................................69 Lightship Overfalls ..........................................................84 Marriott (Fairfield Inn & Residence Inn)........................121 McDonald’s .....................................................................72 Meineke ............................................................................2 Meticulous Ladies Cleaning ..........................................134 Midway Motion & Fitness ...............................................73 Monument / Sotheby’s International Realty ....................59 Moore & Rutt, P.A. .........................................................50 Morris James, LLP..........................................................75 Nassau Valley Vineyards .................................................96 NextHome – ErinAnn & Craig Beebe ...............................46 Nicola Pizza.....................................................................99 Northrop Realty – Nitan Soni Group ...............................30 Old World Breads............................................................70 Parcel Plus......................................................................96 Passwaters Landscaping...............................................103 Patio Systems ...............................................................106 Preston Automotive Group............................................133 Prime Lending – Paul Santumo ......................................34 Procino-Wells & Woodland...........................................131 The Quiet Resorts .........................................................138 Rääs................................................................................43 Race 4 Warriors ..............................................................42 Races 2 Run..................................................................128 Redner’s Fresh Market ....................................................51 Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce..81 RSC Landscaping............................................................76 Schagrin Home Comfort Products ..................................77 Schell Brothers ...............................................................97 Sherman .........................................................................84 Starboard Claw ...............................................................54 State Farm – Jeanine O’Donnell ....................................134 Sussex County YMCA .....................................................37 Techno Goober................................................................22 ThinkSecureNet...............................................................64 TidalHealth ........................................................................3 Towers Signs ................................................................132 Village Volunteers ...........................................................16 Vogue on 24 Salon & Med Spa .........................................7 Warrior Community Connect.........................................125 WBOC – Draper Holdings................................................19 Wellers............................................................................55 Western Sussex Chamber of Commerce.......................117 WGMD ..........................................................................128 WSFS................................................................................9 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
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138 • Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 An Event For All S easons A popular summer destination, the fun continues throughout the year in the Quiet Resorts. Enjoy seasonal events showcasing the area’s year-round beauty, from the beaches, bays, and beyond. Bethany Beach | Clarksville | Dagsboro | Fenwick Island | Frankford | Millville | Ocean View | Roxana | Selbyville | South Bethany JANUARY Visit the Quiet Resorts the last weekend of January to enjoy ice sculpture tours, live sculpture carvings, beach bonfires, family-friendly activities, drink tasting tour and more! Fire & Ice Festival fireandicede.com APRIL Hosted annually the last weekend in April, the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour and Coastal Cruise offers beautiful views on rides of all lengths. Come cycle through Sussex County’s scenic beaches, bays and beyond. This ride starts and ends in downtown Bethany Beach. oceantobaybiketour.com Ocean to Bay Bike Tour & Coastal Cruise JUNE For over 67 years, visitors and locals alike spend the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend strolling down Church Street in Selbyville to take in a display of classic cars. Fun for all ages; enjoy live music, outdoor beer garden, delicious food, & children’s activities! Old Timers’ Day Classic Car Show & Family Festival oldtimersdayde.com SEPTEMBER Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival Hosted annually the Saturday after Labor Day, more than 100 juried artists – both local and from around the country – display their works of art in downtown Bethany Beach, where the beach is the backdrop. bethanybeachartsfestival.com 36913 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944 (302) 539-2100 | www.thequietresorts.com | [email protected]
Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County 2024 • 139 FIND THE PATH THAT LEADS YOU HOME. #1 BHHS NATIONWIDE #1 IN DE HOME SALES #1 TEAM IN COASTAL DE
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