A piping plover fledgling explores its newfound independence along The Point’s shoreline. Dozens of species of birds call this area home during the warmer months.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen a stretch of oceanside beach at The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sunday, Sept. 1. The Point’s bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The Point has closed annually since 1993 each March for the benefit of threatened and endangered beach-nesters and migratory shorebirds, including piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns, red knots, and other species before reopening in the late summer-early fall for beachgoers and anglers.

The DNREC Divisions of Parks and Recreation, Fish and Wildlife, and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to increase beach-nester and migratory shorebird populations. Closing The Point to park visitors provides an area of undisturbed beach and intertidal habitat for a host of shorebirds, gulls, terns and other waterbirds to rest and feed after the breeding season, one of only three in the state.

During this year’s closure, eight piping plover chicks successfully fledged from nests at The Point. At least 11 least tern chicks hatched, but observers were unable to observe how many successfully fledged. While piping plovers nest in isolation and their nests can be enclosed with protective fencing, least terns are colonial nesters and individual nests cannot be enclosed to protect them from predators.

Thus far in 2024, 24 species of shorebirds, 10 species of terns including the federally threatened roseate tern, and seven species of gull are among the species observed at The Point.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

 Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Delaware State Parks hunting permits can be purchased online and at more than 40 licensing agents statewide alongside Delaware hunting licenses. These special park permits will no longer be available for sale at Delaware State Parks offices.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that special hunting permits for Delaware State Parks can now be conveniently purchased wherever hunting licenses are sold in the state. The special permits are available online at Digital DNREC, at DNREC’s main campus in the Richardson and Robbins Building in Dover, and at more than 40 licensing agents statewide.

The special permits, which cost $10 for residents and non-residents, were previously sold at state park offices, but can now be purchased when buying a Delaware hunting license. These park permits will no longer be available for sale at Delaware State Parks offices. License-exempt hunters who want to hunt at any of the nine Delaware State Parks where hunting is allowed are required to purchase the special permit.

Deer hunting is permitted in Auburn Valley, Brandywine Creek, Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, Holts Landing, Killens Pond, Lums Pond, White Clay Creek and Trap Pond state parks. Waterfowl hunting is permitted in Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks. Squirrel and rabbit hunting is permitted in Trap Pond. All hunting seasons for game animals and waterfowl in Delaware’s state parks adhere to daily bag limits established by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Once hunters purchase their Delaware State Parks hunting permit, it is their responsibility to become familiar with each state park’s specific rules and regulations prior to hunting in the parks. Maps and rules for each park that allows hunting can be found on destateparks.com’s hunting webpage.

Hunting in Delaware State Parks is more restrictive than in DNREC’s wildlife areas. Not all methods of take or seasons allowed on private or other public lands are permitted in Delaware State Parks. Hunting rules, permitted seasons and methods of take also vary between parks.

For more information about hunting in Delaware State Parks or the special hunting permit, email DNREC_stateparks_hunting@delaware.gov, call the Division of Parks and Recreation Administrative Services Section at 302-739-9220 or stop by the recreational licensing office inside the Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Hwy., Dover.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

 Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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The Cape Henlopen State Park Community Workshop will give the public a glimpse of the park’s future.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host a community workshop at the Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) Officer’s Club Wednesday, July 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to give community members and park visitors the opportunity to share feedback about the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation’s planned capital projects in the park.

Community members can drop in any time during the workshop to review informational display boards for the capital plans in CHSP. Division staff, along with several consulting firms, will be on hand to discuss active park projects that are in the planning and design phases. The plans featured at the workshop are part of the division’s continued effort to improve amenities and services provided to Delaware State Parks visitors.

Projects to be featured at the workshop include:

• Traffic data analysis 
• Entrance reconfiguration
• Construction of a new park office
• The Point Trail
• An addition to Battery 519
• Campground Improvements
• A beach bathhouse with larger capacity
• The Cape Henlopen fishing pier
• CHSP’s Wolfe Neck Loop Trail
• The Biden Environmental Center

The workshop will give the public a glimpse of the park’s future. Contractors available at the meeting include Bernardon – an architecture firm, and Century and GPI engineering firms.

The Officer’s Club is located at 14628 Officers Road, Lewes. Parking is across the street in the grass. Park entrance fees are waived for vehicles attending the workshop.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

 Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Jared Towery, who became paraplegic while attending the First State Military Academy and training for enlistment into the U.S. Marines, demonstrated the new Action Trackchair that will be used in Delaware State Parks. He is pictured with, from left to right, his grandmothers Linda Lopez and Joanna Wilson, East Coast Trackchairs owners Chris and Wendy Caldwell who delivered the Trackchair to White Clay Creek State Park, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Park Superintendent Laura Lee and DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens. /DNREC photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control unveiled its new Action Trackchair, an all-terrain wheelchair donated through the Ford Bronco Wild Fund July 12 at the Deerfield Clubhouse at White Clay Creek State Park. The event highlighted accessibility improvements statewide for the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation and featured the first publicly accessible all-terrain wheelchair available for public use in the state of Delaware.

Delaware was the recipient of a nationally competitive grant for one of seven AXIS model Trackchairs provided through the Bronco Wild Fund Access Grants and the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).

The Action Trackchair enables individuals with mobility challenges to explore and enjoy the beauty of nature. Its “Tilt on the fly” feature allows for adjustable angles that fit each user’s preference. It can also be operated in mud, sand, snow and water.

“Like DNREC, the Bronco Wild Fund aims to connect people to the outdoors by increasing access, and the Trackchair does just that,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “We are grateful to Ford for granting us this chair to allow even more visitors to enjoy the great outdoors.”

On hand to demonstrate the Action Trackchair’s features was Jared Towery, who became paraplegic while attending the First State Military Academy in 2021 and training for enlistment into the U.S. Marines. His grandmother, Linda Lopez, has become a tireless advocate for people with disabilities throughout the state and gaining accessibility upgrades for them.

The Division of Parks and Recreation’s Strategic Plan includes a goal of adding or improving more than 70 accessible amenities in Delaware State Parks. These updates include mobility mats, beach wheelchairs, adaptive kayak launches, paved paths, accessible hunting stands, additional all-terrain wheelchairs and campsites specifically designed for individuals in wheelchairs.

The Bronco Wild Fund aims to responsibly connect people to the outdoors by increasing access, preservation, and stewardship of the great outdoors. Through collaboration with America’s State Parks and America’s State Park Foundation, Bronco Wild Fund targets projects and creates events that inspire and enhance outdoor recreation.

NASPD brings together state park leaders and professionals to foster collaboration, share best practices, and advocate for policies that support the sustainable management and enjoyment of each state’s treasured public lands.

The Action Trackchair will be housed at White Clay Creek State Park, which has the largest trail system of Delaware’s state parks. To reserve the Action Trackchair for use in Delaware State Parks, call the White Clay Creek State Park Office at 302-368-6900.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Reservations to drive-on surf fish on Delaware State Parks multi-use beaches Thursday, July 4, open Thursday, June 27.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds those who plan to drive-on surf fish at one of the seven Delaware State Parks multi-use beaches that reservations are required during summer weekends and holidays. Drive-on surf fishing reservations for Thursday, July 4, open Thursday, June 27, at 11 a.m.

Drive-on reservations for each weekend open weekly beginning Tuesdays for the upcoming Saturday and Wednesdays for the upcoming Sunday, and are available until sold out for that weekend.

Reservations are required for annual and two-year surf fishing permits to drive onto Delaware State Parks beaches weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Reservations are not required Monday through Friday, except for holidays. Reservations for holidays will become available the Thursday prior. Off-peak surf fishing permits do not qualify for reservations because they are for use during only non-peak times.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation advises those who reserve a spot on Delaware State Parks beaches to cancel if they cannot attend so that spot opens up for another anger to use.

Reservations may be made at www.destateparks.com/surftagsales or via phone at 800-499-8221 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and from 8 a.m. to noon on weekends and holidays. Reservations are first come, first served.

Reservation confirmations must be printed and displayed in the registered vehicle for enforcement verification. Annual and two-year surf fishing permit holders with reservations are allowed access into the park for surf fishing, even if a park gate is closed, when day use parking capacity has been reached.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

 Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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