Governor Carney, Mayor Purzycki join elected officials and school and community representatives at ribbon-cutting ceremony

WILMINGTON, Del. –  The City of Wilmington hosted a dedication ceremony on Tuesday for a new $339,000 playground in Kirkwood Park on East 11th Street—a project funded jointly by the City, State, and Christina School District. The Park and new playground are popular with students who attend the nearby Stubbs Early Education Center as well as by children and families in the local neighborhood. The improvements to Kirkwood Park are part of the City’s multiple-year and multi-million-dollar park enhancements program intended to make all City parks more attractive and enjoyable for residents.

“The future of our city and our state depends on our students’ success, and we believe firmly that their success in school and in life depends on their ability to read at a third-grade level,” said Governor John Carney. “That’s why this playground has different stations to encourage reading and learning. Investments being made in the Christina School District, in Kirkwood Park, and in projects across the City of Wilmington represent our hopes and aspiration for all children. These young students are our future.”

In opening the new playground, Mayor Mike Purzycki was joined by Delaware Governor John Carney, City Council Member Zanthia Oliver, City Parks and Recreation Director Ian Smith, Senator Darius Brown, and Christina School District Superintendent Dan Shelton, along with other school and community representatives.

The new playground was renovated by Landscape Structures/General Recreation and boasts several features that promote childhood literacy. These include a Custom Reading Shade section for public storybook readings and talking point panels developed by Too Small to Fail, a Clinton Foundation organization that promotes early brain and language development. The new Kirkwood Park playground also features a new Venti net climbing play structure that children can enjoy with their families, along with other “safe, age-appropriate and ability appropriate” play equipment.

“Research shows that simple, daily interactions like talking, reading, and singing with children from birth can boost their early brain and language development. Too Small to Fail is proud to partner with the City of Wilmington and Kirkwood Park Playground to help spark learning and language-rich moments between children and families through play,” said Too Small to Fail Director Jane Park. “This partnership is a powerful example of what’s possible when communities come together to help support families and set young children up for success in kindergarten and in life.”

Mayor Purzycki thanked the Governor, school district officials, Senator Brown, and Representative Stephanie T. Bolden for providing additional funding to support the City’s appropriation to improve Kirkwood Park.

“The new Kirkwood Park Playground is a welcome addition to Wilmington’s East Side and the Brandywine Creek education campus that also includes Stubbs Early Education Center and Howard High School,” said Senator Darius Brown, D-Wilmington. “I want to commend the City of Wilmington and the State of Delaware for making a strong investment in our community and our young people to create an inviting center of fun and learning that extends from Clifford Brown Walk to the Al O. Plant Bridge. Projects like this help to give our neighborhoods a sense of place and lift up families striving to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children.”

“Part of being a strong advocate for our youth is supporting the communities in which we work and live,” said Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden. “These renovations come at a crucial time for families who struggle to find beautiful amenities to enjoy, locally during a pandemic. As a retired teacher, I’m really a huge fan of the Custom Reading Shade section for public storybook readings. Every child deserves to play in a safe, clean, and fun environment, and Kirkwood Park playground will serve families for years to come.”

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Governor John Carney was joined by state and local officials in dedicating the recently opened Christina River Bridge at the Wilmington Riverfront in honor of former state senator Margaret Rose Henry.

“Senator Margaret Rose Henry’s proud legacy of service to the people of the eastside of Wilmington and the State of Delaware has made a lasting impact,” said Governor John Carney. “The Margaret Rose Bridge that will now carry her name serves as an important connector for our communities, and as a welcoming symbol to the city.”

“Few public servants have had such a profound effect on the lives of the people of Delaware – and her Wilmington constituents in particular – as Senator Margaret Rose Henry, the first African American woman to serve in the Delaware Senate,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “As a legislator, Henry was adept at building bridges, so it is only fitting that the City’s newest bridge now bears her name.”

“This new bridge is about more than simply helping people cross the Christina River. It’s about connection and opportunity. With pedestrian and bicycle lanes, this multi-modal bridge will expand access to new educational and job opportunities for drivers, bikers and pedestrians alike. By opening up the east bank of the Riverfront, this bridge will help to spur the redevelopment of the Riverfront to Southbridge and connect small businesses along the Christina River with a larger customer base. As we celebrate the ribbon cutting of this new bridge, we also celebrate what greater connection and more opportunity can do for the future of Wilmington and the people who call it home,” Senator Carper said. “For years, I fought to secure funding for this project, and I’ve been proud to watch its progress every step of the way. This is a great day for Wilmington.”

“The Senator Margaret Rose Henry Bridge will have a lasting effect on the city of Wilmington, and I’m so glad that we can honor Margaret in this special way,” said Senator Coons. “This bridge is the product of years of work, planning, and building from Senator Carper, from DelDOT, and from people across Delaware. This project improves access for walkers and bikers, and, in turn, makes Wilmington a more vibrant and safer city for all.”

“Senator Margaret Rose Henry is a personal role model and icon in the State of Delaware. Her groundbreaking work and accomplishments in the General Assembly have touched and improved the lives of countless Delawareans and the impact of that work will be felt for generations to come,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Today’s unveiling of the Senator Margaret Rose Henry Bridge in Wilmington is a fitting tribute to her work and an exciting addition to the city of Wilmington. Senator Henry spent her entire career building bridges to connect Delawareans and I’m confident this bridge in her namesake will do the same.”

Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan commented, “The Senator Margaret Rose Henry Bridge and new approach roads are a game changer for the south side of Wilmington, improving access and traffic flow and making the entire area safer and more user-friendly whether you are on foot, bike, or in a car. It is a beautiful bridge named after a beautiful lady!”

The nearly $82 million project, which broke ground in June 2017, includes a 470-foot multi-modal bridge over the Christina River that includes two 12-foot travel lanes and a separated 14-foot wide bicycle and pedestrian path, and more than 1.5 miles of new and improved roads, sidewalks, parking, and drainage. The new access road for the Russel W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge will begin construction later this summer.

Senator Henry became the first African American woman to serve in the Delaware Senate in 1994, and has a decades-long career of public service, working in nonprofit administration and championing legislation for causes such as education, autism, health, housing, gun control, mental health, medical marijuana and expanded services for seniors. She last served in the General Assembly in 2018.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that the new Christina River Bridge and approach roads at the Wilmington Riverfront has opened to pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle traffic as of 2:00pm today. The new access roads and bridge improve multimodal traffic flow around the Wilmington Riverfront and provides direct access to Route 13 and the southeastern side of Wilmington.

The nearly $50 million project, which broke ground in June 2017, includes a 470-foot multi-modal bridge over the Christina River that includes two 12-foot travel lanes and a separated 14-foot wide bicycle and pedestrian path, and more than 1.5 miles of new and improved roads, sidewalks, and parking. The new access road for the Russel W. Peterson Wildlife Refuge will begin construction later this summer.

An opening event will be announced in July.

NEW CASTLE (June 1, 2020) – As a way to reach vulnerable populations, the State of Delaware will begin coronavirus testing at 10 Wilmington high-rise buildings on Tuesday, June 2, with the bulk of the testing being conducted by the Division of Public Health starting Wednesday, June 3.

On Tuesday, June 2, the State, in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority, Westside Family Healthcare and the Saint Francis LIFE Center will provide viral tests to seniors from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and distribute care kits and educational materials at Baynard Apartments, 309 W. 18th St.

Then beginning on Wednesday, June 3, 20-person teams, including members of Delaware’s Medical Reserve Corps and the Delaware Association of Physician Assistants, will go door-to-door at a total of nine high-rise buildings over three separate days. At each location, there will be a Division of Public Health lead. The medical providers will bring nasal swab testing to people who typically may not be able to leave their homes.

This testing is being done in partnership with the City of Wilmington, the Delaware Medical Reserve Corps, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Delaware Association of Physician Assistants.

“We know that seniors and low-income communities in our state are experiencing disproportionate rates of coronavirus infection,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and a practicing family physician. “Meeting communities where they are through this targeted testing in Wilmington’s high-rises will help us identify individuals who are positive for COVID-19, provide them with the supports and resources they need to isolate from others, and, ultimately, slow the transmission of this disease.”

“We are on a mission in Wilmington to protect each other from COVID-19 and to keep the virus from spreading,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “The State has been providing invaluable guidance to us since the start of the pandemic in Delaware and we appreciate these additional efforts to reach our City’s most vulnerable population through more and more testing.”

“From the start of this health crisis, Wilmington City Council has been expressing the need for more testing locations here in the city for our most vulnerable populations,” said Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz. “I am so glad that we have been able to work with partners to provide this much-needed service. “

The schedule for the Division of Public Health testing is:

Wednesday, June 3: Terry Apartments, 2400 N. Broom St.; Park View Apartments, 1800 N. Broom St.; and Compton Towers/Apartments, 325 E. Fifth St.

Thursday, June 4: Windsor Apartments, 500 N. Walnut St.; Ingleside Apartments, 1005 N. Franklin St.; and Luther Towners II, 1420 N. Franklin St.

Monday, June 8: Luther Towers I, 1201 N. Harrison St.; Lincoln Towers, 1800 N. DuPont St.; and The Antonian, 1701 W. 10th St.

On May 8, Governor John Carney announced a significant statewide expansion of Delaware’s community-based testing program, conducting 80,000 tests per month. The State of Delaware is prioritizing testing under the program for:

• Any symptomatic individual.
• Anyone with known exposure to COVID-19.
• Vulnerable Delaware populations, including elderly Delawareans and members of low-income communities.
• Certain front-line essential workers.

For more information on Delaware’s testing program, including a testing calendar, go to:
https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing/

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Social service agencies will partner with law enforcement to prevent gun violence

WILMINGTON, Del. – State of Delaware social service agencies will partner with law enforcement to prevent gun violence in the City of Wilmington under a Group Violence Intervention (GVI) project announced by state and city leaders on Tuesday.

Governor John Carney joined Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki, Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Wilmington Police Chief Robert Tracy, and Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Kara Walker to announce their shared commitment to launching the evidence-based GVI strategy in Wilmington.   

Evidence shows that gun violence is concentrated among a small number of people at very high risk for both victimization and violent offending. The GVI strategy is intended to help these high-risk individuals avoid involvement in the criminal justice system, keep them safe, stabilize their lives, and create accountability for violence. DHSS, the Delaware Department of Correction, and the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families are among the agencies that will provide intervention services under the partnership.

“For any city to be successful, it needs to be safe,” said Governor John Carney. “Under the leadership of Mayor Purzycki and Chief Tracy, we’ve seen a significant reduction in gun violence in our city. But – as there are in all cities – there are still communities that are disproportionately impacted by gun violence in their neighborhoods. Those shootings traumatize children and families, and tear apart entire communities. We know that this gun violence is concentrated among a small group of people who are at very high risk for offending – but also at a very high risk for being victims of gun violence. We believe we can make a real difference if we are able to reach those at highest risk, and help them avoid involvement in the criminal justice system, keep them safe, and stabilize their lives. Thank you to Mayor Purzycki, Chief Tracy, Attorney General Jennings, Professor David Kennedy and many others for their partnership on this important work.”

“Wilmington is making significant gains regarding public safety,” said Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki. “We are a safer City today because we are policing the City differently, and that difference is largely because of the trust that has been built between the police department and our citizens. Chief Tracy has introduced new and effective layers to our policing methods in Wilmington and today we add another layer that can continue to improve lives and further reduce crime. My thanks to the Governor, to the Health and Social Services Secretary and to our criminal justice leaders for embracing this effort and to David Kennedy, Chief Tracy and former Chief Cummings who are deeply invested in making sure this initiative works for all of us.”

“This is a new day in Wilmington’s efforts to curtail violence in our neighborhoods,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. “Through this initiative, we are recognizing the social and economic dynamics that so often drive violent crime, and we are disrupting those dynamics at their source. This program has shown remarkable promise in sharply reducing group violence and I am committed to its missions: protecting public safety, addressing the causes of anger and hopelessness that exist in our most underserved communities, and providing meaningful alternatives to those who would build a better life for themselves.”

The intergovernmental initiative will bring together state-level social service agencies with the Wilmington Police Department, the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and community leaders in an effort to further and more significantly reduce homicide and shooting incidents in Wilmington. Intervention will be based on frontline knowledge, and real-time data on violence and individuals who face the highest risk of violence.

The GVI work will be led by Bobby Cummings, the former Wilmington Police Chief who has been appointed Director of Group Violence at the Department of Health and Social Services. The National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, led by Professor David Kennedy, will provide technical assistance.

“Over the past several years, the Wilmington Police Department has embraced a range of proven, evidence-based policing strategies, with focused deterrence being key,” said Wilmington Police Chief Robert J. Tracy. “Implementing Group Violence Intervention – the next phase of our layered, comprehensive approach – carries the promise of achieving continued reductions in violent crime, while simultaneously offering support and wraparound services to those who embrace an alternative to engaging in gun violence.”

“We’re extremely excited to be working with Delaware and Wilmington to prevent homicide and gun violence,” said David Kennedy, Director of the National Network for Safe Communities at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “We’ve known and worked with Chief Tracy for years, and the commitment of the Governor’s Office puts Delaware amongst a small but growing number of states making an executive commitment to evidence-based public safety approaches. This work saves lives, keeps people out of the justice system, and builds trust between police and communities. We’re honored to be part of it.”

“As leaders, we all have a responsibility to alter the cycle of poverty, trauma and violence in order to keep individuals and families safe and healthy,” said Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. “The newly appointed Director of Group Violence Intervention in the Department of Health and Social Services will have the resources and the staffing support to meet the social services needs of the small number of people in Wilmington who are at a very high risk for both victimization and for violent offending.”

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