DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, and Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), invite the public to #OptOutside this Black Friday by visiting Delaware State Parks. This year, visitors can enjoy free entry to 15 state parks on Black Friday, Nov. 24, and the Brandywine Zoo is joining in on the outdoor fun and will also be waiving admission all day.

“The ‘Opt Outside’ event has become a tradition at DNREC’s Delaware State Parks, and the numbers of visitors are increasing each year,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Between the Brandywine Zoo and 15 parks across the state, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Those willing to forego marathon shopping and opt instead for a day of hiking, biking, and adventuring will find more than 100 miles of trails to explore throughout Delaware, spectacular locations for bird and wildlife watching, scenic beaches, and much more.”

The Opt Outside movement, started by REI in 2015, encourages families and friends across the nation to ditch the retail madness and get outdoors on Black Friday. The 16 million-member outdoor co-op sets an example by shutting its doors, and giving its 12,000 employees a paid day off.

This is the third year that DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will be participating in the event, along with more than 700 organizations and seven million people nationwide.

All Delaware State Parks’ gates will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, with the exception of Fort Delaware State Park, which is closed for the season. In addition, park offices will be closed. The Brandywine Zoo will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The public can use the hashtag #OptOutside on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to show support and invite family and friends to join the movement.

Visit destateparks.com for park locations and more fun ideas on how to get outside on Black Friday.

Vol. 47, No. 246

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will hold a live auction for low-digit surf fishing tags at 2:30 pm, Saturday, Oct. 21 at Delaware Seashore State Park. The auction will take place during the third annual “Boo-Que by the Sea,” a two-day barbeque cook-off competition that begins Friday, Oct. 20 at the park.
The Boo-Que by the Sea features a wide variety of family-friendly activities including a 5K race on Saturday, Oct. 21. All proceeds from the Boo-Que event will benefit the John and Linda Hollis Delaware Children in Nature Endowment Fund, which enables opportunities for children to participate in outdoor experiences.

This year’s auction will feature the opportunity to bid on surf tag #6 as well as Division of Motor Vehicles black tag #6898 with a matching low-digit surf fishing tag. The live auction will also include a select number of other low-digit surf tag plates. Tag numbers available for auction can be found at http://www.destateparks.com/lowdigittag/ or http://www.usgovbid.com/

The DMV black tag #6898 and matching low-digit surf fishing tag are being auctioned with proceeds to benefit the endowment fund.

The black and white tags have a unique, vintage look with raised letters. Bidding for the tags will open at $250. The winning bidder for each tag will receive a certificate of authenticity. Once purchased, owners will retain the tag as long as they have a valid surf fishing permit. Revenue raised will directly benefit DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and surf fishing beach access.

Since the first Low Digit Surf Tag Auctions held in the fall of 2015, 145 tags have been sold. Revenue from these sales totaled $431,799, with an average of $2,978 per tag.

There is a $5 admission to the Boo-Que which includes the live auction.

For information on the Boo-Que BBQ competition and Family Festival visit http://www.boo-que.com/.

Vol. 47, No. 228

CONTACT: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

DOVER – Governor John Carney was joined by DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Kent County Tourism Director Wendie Vestfall, other state and city officials, and members of the conservation community, to break ground for the new Fork Branch Trail in Dover.

“Our state’s trails are not just good for trail users, they’re also good for our economy,” said Governor Carney. “Trails in the First State are drawing more and more visitors to Delaware, where tourism accounts for $3.1 billion in economic activity. Trail-related activities are the number one outdoor recreation activity in the First State, and we’re taking another step forward as we break ground on the new Fork Branch Trail.”

The Fork Branch Nature Preserve is one of Dover’s last remaining natural areas – a 247-acre property that contains a unique stand of old growth American beech, a wooded stream corridor, and several rare and threatened plant species. The preserve is located at the corner of Kenton and West Denneys roads, along the Maidstone Branch in the St. Jones River Watershed.

“The Fork Branch Trail will offer an excellent opportunity for families and children to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and be physically active,” said Secretary Garvin. “The trail offers users an urban oasis of nature located within the city limits of Dover. Soon, everyone will have the chance to marvel at the natural gifts of a large, mature forest in this densely populated area.”

The Division of Parks & Recreation will construct, manage, and maintain the accessible, pedestrian-only trail. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year or spring of 2018, depending on conditions. The new trail will be 5-feet wide, and loop approximately 1 mile through the pristine preserve providing opportunities to experience native fauna and beautiful landscapes. Depending on conditions, the trail may be open as soon as the end of this year.

More trails for walking, hiking, biking, jogging and related activities have ranked consistently as the highest outdoor recreation need identified by Delawareans throughout the state. The Fork Branch Trail adds to the growing need for recreational opportunities for the city of Dover and Kent County.

Vol. 47, No. 221

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Park’s pedestrian bridge over Brandywine River to be closed Oct. 12-27

WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today that the southern section of Alapocas Run State Park along the Brandywine River will be closed Sunday, Oct. 15 for the implosion of a smokestack at the former Bancroft Mills site.

Parks Natural Resources Police will have a cordon in place Sunday from 6:30 a.m. until noon keeping spectators and park visitors 1,000 feet away from the demolition site. The safety zone distance for the smokestack implosion includes trails in and around Alapocas Run State Park. Trail areas impacted are the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail access points in Brandywine Park on North Park Drive, in Alapocas Woods on Alapocas Drive, and at the Alapocas ball fields trailhead located behind the DuPont Experimental Station.

The pedestrian bridge over the Brandywine River in the vicinity of Bancroft Mills will be closed from Thursday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 27 for the demolition of a building adjacent to the bridge and debris removal. Commuters and park visitors will need to plan alternatives routes until the bridge is reopened.

For more information, contact Alana Delaney, Alapocas Run State Park manager, at 302-577-1164.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No. 222

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Fort Miles Historical Association, will host an open house for the public review and comment on proposed capital improvements to the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area in Cape Henlopen State Park. The open house will feature informative exhibit boards on the proposed updated master plan for Cape Henlopen’s Fort Miles facilities and surrounding areas, and opportunities for the public to get information from DNREC staff and provide written feedback.

The open house will be held 5 -7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE, 19958.

Proposed capital improvements include upgraded and expanded parking areas for the museum complex, as well as an outdoor venue area at the north end of Battery 519.

Funding for the project comes entirely from foundation grants and private contributions raised by the Fort Miles Historical Association.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902