Upgrades expected to bring in additional campers; generate more funding for DE State Parks

BEAR – Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Deputy Secretary Kara Coats, EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin, state legislators, and other partners and stakeholders were on hand today to welcome visitors to the reopening of the newly transformed campground at Lums Pond State Park.

With annual camping numbers at record highs, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has added key infrastructural improvements and amenities to the park, which are designed to draw new campers to the only campground in New Castle County.

Delaware State Parks served a record number of campers and cabin guests in 2015, higher than at any other time in parks’ history, with a 19 percent increase over 2014. Parks officials expect the improvements at Lums Pond State Park will draw hundreds of new campers to help boost those numbers even higher in 2016.

“This is great news for campers and the strategic location, close to I-95 and Route 40, makes it a great stop for travelers headed to the beaches and other vacation destinations,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “The success of this campground is good for tourism, for our economy and for the enjoyment of the people of this state. This project is an investment that will bring more visitors to the state and support the many jobs and businesses in the area.”

Major improvements to the expanded, 70-site RV campgrounds include three-point hookups that provide water, sewer and 50-amp electrical service to the campsites – three of which are also fully-accessible – and paving of all of the sites. Other improvements include a new bathhouse and five new walk-in tent sites.

As the only state park campground in New Castle County, the Lums Pond State Park campground is expected to become a major attraction with amenities that include an extensive trail system and the Go Ape high adventure zipline course. It is close to many other Brandywine Valley attractions and serves as the official campground of the University of Delaware. The closest state parks campgrounds with similar amenities are more than an hour away.

“Lums Pond State Park is a must- see for visitors in and outside of Delaware,” said DNREC Deputy Secretary Kara Coats. “The improvements to the campground showcase the park as a major Delaware camping destination. The investment made by federal, state and local partnerships will enable hundreds of additional families to enjoy the camping options that this marvelous park offers.”

The campground improvements are projected to generate more than $300,000 for state parks in 2017. That’s more than double the current revenue, all of which helps support state parks’ 65-percent self-funded business model. The revenue will enable the Division to make payments on the loan funding.

The campground has been closed all winter for the $5.6 million renovation, funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund, the federal-state partnership that provides low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. The program is funded by annual Environmental Protection Agency capitalization grants and the required 20 percent state matching funds appropriated through the state Bond Bill.

“These park upgrades, aided by EPA’s State Revolving Fund, will provide the infrastructure improvements that enable more visitors to enjoy the many environmental amenities that Lums Pond State Park has to offer,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Delaware’s decision to expand and improve the facilities at this park will greatly improve the outdoor experience for the many visitors, especially the campers.”

“Delaware is a destination for its world-class beaches and tax-free shopping, but it also has beautiful parks and recreational amenities for residents and visitors alike,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper. “By utilizing a federal assistance program like this one, the state has improved one of its most popular recreational attractions that will prove to be not only a wonderful upgrade for those who visit, but an economic driver for the state as well.”

“Our family loves Delaware’s great state parks, and we’re lucky to have such a great park system in the First State,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “When asked about the quality of life where they live, people invariably mention the quality and character of parks, and this investment into Lums Pond State Park’s new amenities will draw campers and outdoor enthusiasts to this location and will entice past campers to return. I want to thank and congratulate Governor Markell and the EPA for the new additions that will only serve to compliment the beauty and accessibility of Lums Pond State Park.”

“Summer’s in full swing,” said Congressman John Carney. “We’re expecting a record number of campers visiting Delaware State Parks this year, including at the newly renovated campground at Lums Pond. We have some of the most beautiful and fun campgrounds in the area, and I’m glad Delawareans will get to enjoy camping at Lums Pond once again! Our parks are an important part of the state’s tourism economy, and great places for Delawareans and visitors to enjoy.”

“We had to get creative to make this project happen,” said Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens, “to find a funding source that hadn’t been used for this purpose before. Some of the improvements we see today were identified as far back as the 1970s, but were never funded until now. There is already a tremendous amount of excitement about the improvements from the camping community. We know that adding utilities and other amenities could draw thousands of new visitors to the park. In fact, the campground is completely booked for the upcoming weekend.”
“Tourism is a major economic driver for our state, and knowing that camping numbers are at record highs means that this is a smart investment for our state,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, whose district borders the park. “By making these upgrades, we are making Lums Pond more inviting and more attractive for new visitors and encouraging new campers to stay here.”

“Lums Pond is one of the 12th District’s true jewels – an amazing oasis for recreation in our most populous county,” said Sen. Nicole Poore. “This new campground will allow new visitors from Delaware and beyond to discover this jewel and all it has to offer to families and those who love the outdoors.”

“There are a lot of great activities that draw visitors to Lums Pond: hiking, biking and horse-riding, trails, boating opportunities, and of course, the Go Ape zipline course,” said Rep. Earl Jaques, whose district includes the park. “These improvements to our campgrounds will make visitors feel more welcome. We want everyone to enjoy their stay here, and I believe DNREC has done a great job with these amenities to make sure all campers have a great time and then come back and visit us again.”

Other key campground improvements include:

• A brand new heated and fully-accessible bathhouse that includes four showers, four family bathrooms with showers, and standard toilet facilities.
• A modernized lift station to manage additional wastewater. The lift station pumps wastewater to the sewage treatment plant.
• Grouted manholes to prevent any environmental contamination.
• An environmentally-friendly pervious parking lot for tent campers, with a five-car capacity.

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

Vol. 46, No.218

Upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend booked solid for campgrounds, cabins and cottages

DOVER – As Memorial Day weekend nears with the unofficial start of summer boasting the best weather forecast in recent memory, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is preparing for another banner year after serving a record number of campers and cabin guests in 2015. Camping last year was higher than at any other time in parks’ history, with a 19 percent increase over 2014. According to reservation data, the newly-renovated North Inlet campground at Delaware Seashore State Park played an instrumental role in the record 86,200 nights that people camped in a state park last year.

“Investments in state parks provide long-lasting recreational and educational benefits to Delawareans and enhances our quality of life,” said Governor Jack Markell. “These investments also help drive our thriving tourism industry and bring additional revenue to our state. The results of the camping survey bear this out. Campgrounds in Delaware State Parks are world-class, and that’s why Delawareans and visitors alike rate them so highly, and why campers return year after year.”

“These survey results reinforce the fact that we have the best state parks in the nation, for which Delaware State Parks was awarded the prestigious 2015 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Our parks offer unique, varied and memorable experiences not found in other state parks in our region. We expect that plans for new amenities and other improvements will only enhance the enjoyment of our campers and further increase visitation.”

Just don’t try getting into a parks’ campground, cabin or cottage for the upcoming holiday weekend – since Monday, every campsite, cabin and cottage statewide has been booked solid for the weekend. But Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens advises campers to be proactive for the future and go online now to make reservations for other popular holidays like July 4, Labor Day and Halloween weekends, since bookings for these dates also are filling fast.

“We are delighted to find out that state parks’ campgrounds are more popular than ever,” Director Bivens said. “Residents and visitors alike are coming in increasing numbers to relax, connect with nature and spend time with family and friends. Our visitor surveys and reservation data show that campers appreciate the investments we are making to improve and modernize Delaware State Parks campgrounds.”

Several of the Delaware State Park campgrounds have seen improvements over the past two years:

• Killens Pond — New fire pits for the cabins and 50-amp electrical service for campsites have been added, and the largest waterpark renovation in the history of the facility is underway.
• Cape Henlopen – Two new bathroom facilities and six cabins have been added. This winter, electric service will be added to campsites.
• Lums Pond – A $5 million-plus renovation to add full hookup sites and new bathrooms is underway. Reservations can be made now for the opening, expected in mid-June.
• Delaware Seashore – The North Inlet campground has opened with full hook-up sites, new bathroom and laundry facilities, a playground, and a promenade walkway that allows access to both sides of Indian River Bridge.
• Trap Pond – The Trap Pond Partners originated a free borrow-a-bike program.

To learn more about the improvements happening in Delaware State Park campgrounds or to make a reservation, visit www.destateparks.com, or call the state park call center at 1-877-98-PARKS.

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

Vol. 46, No. 194

DOVER – Delaware State Parks and Cape Henlopen State Park have kicked off a fundraising campaign this month through Kickstarter.com to raise money for new camping cabins at the popular beach vacation spot.

Kickstarter, a popular crowdfunding site, boasts a global community built around creative projects where people from around the world can find the resources needed to transform ideas into reality. To date, tens of thousands of projects – big and small – have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens is hopeful that backers will help fund the project, giving the gift of great family memories to more Cape Henlopen State Park visitors at an affordable price. “I am always happy to hear visitors tell me they look forward to bringing their family to our parks each year, spending camping trips with us as their annual family vacation,” Bivens said. “We are proud of this Kickstarter campaign as it will increase the opportunity for more families to share in an enjoyable, educational, relaxing and most of all, affordable vacation.”

Delaware State Parks made the decision to add additional camping cabins to the park after realizing the popularity the original six cabins saw during the peak season in 2015. “With a 97 percent occupancy rate and more than 1,500 people enjoying the cabins last year, we saw a need to give more visitors the opportunity to enjoy what Cape Henlopen has to offer,” said Cape Henlopen State Park Manager Paul Faircloth. “According to last year’s numbers and the projected numbers for 2016, these cabins will allow us to host around 2,000 people throughout the peak season.”

Campaign backers who have yet to secure plans for Memorial Day weekend will have the opportunity for special rewards by donation levels. A $500 donor, for example, would enjoy being the first to stay in the new cabins over Memorial Day Weekend. Other rewards include annual park passes, a week-long stay in the new cabins and even the opportunity to be “Parks Superintendent for the Day” at Cape Henlopen, including a behind-the-scenes tour with Director Bivens.

Contributions can be made to the campaign at www.Kickstarter.com until Wednesday, May 11 by searching “Cape Henlopen Camping Cabins.”

For more information about Delaware State Parks, the Kickstarter campaign or camping in the parks, please visit www.destateparks.com.

Media Contact: Caroline Foltz, Enterprise Development Coordinator, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9185, Caroline.Foltz@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 149

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will host a public open house to review renovation plans for the Cape Henlopen State Park campground. The open house will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the park’s Officer’s Club/Youth Camp 3,15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.

In 2015, two state-of-the-art bathhouse facilities were added. This year, six new camping cabins are under construction. The existing cabins, combined with the new structures, are designed to create a “cabin village.” Cabins are expected to be available for occupancy in May.

The campground will close in September for the next phase of renovations. Improvements are expected to include:

• Reduction of asphalt
• Installation of landscaping
• Creation of back-in, pull-through and pop-up RV sites
• Installation of electric service
• Vehicular circulation improvement and paths linking the bathhouses within the campground
• Construction of a camp store with laundry and utility sinks

Completion of these renovations is scheduled for May 2017.

Visitors at the open house are invited to view the proposed renovation plans and provide comments to DNREC program staff.

For more information on the open house, contact Cindy Todd, Division of Parks & Recreation, 302-739-9210 or Cindy.Todd@delaware.gov.

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

Vol. 46, No.79