DNREC Announces New Superintendents at Several Delaware State Parks

Lisa McHugh, Lums Pond State Park; Scott Borino, Delaware Seashore State Park; Alana Delaney, Bellevue and Fox Point state parks; and Patrick Thompson, Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks. /DNREC photos

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is pleased to announce four new superintendents at Delaware State Parks. Lisa McHugh is now the superintendent at Lums Pond State Park, Scott Borino is the superintendent at Delaware Seashore State Park, Alana Delaney has been named superintendent of Bellevue and Fox Point state parks, and Patrick Thompson is the superintendent of Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks.

Lisa McHugh was previously the assistant park superintendent at Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks from March 2020 to December 2022. McHugh started her career with the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation as a conservation technician at Wilmington parks in November 2006 and held that position until she was promoted to assistant park superintendent.

Scott Borino was promoted from his assistant superintendent position at Delaware Seashore State Park. He was first hired by the division in 2013 as the assistant superintendent at the Indian River Marina. He previously held positions as the community services manager and then executive director of the Edgemoor Community Center in Wilmington. Borino also served in the AmeriCorps VISTA program with the American Red Cross in Delaware and Maryland.

Alana Delaney transferred to Bellevue and Fox Point state parks after serving as the superintendent of Alapocas Run and Wilmington State Parks since 2018. She previously served as the assistant superintendent of Alapocas Run and assistant superintendent of Bellevue State Park. Prior to those roles with the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, she worked in several others with the division including as naturalist and park patrol officer at White Clay Creek State Park, and volunteer coordinator for the northern and inland ponds regions of the Delaware State Parks system.

Pat Thompson moved from his position at the helm of Auburn Valley State Park to take Delaney’s place as superintendent of Alapocas Run and Wilmington Run state parks. Thompson started his DNREC career in 2004 at Bellevue State Park as a park patrol officer and assistant superintendent before becoming a conservation technician. He briefly left Delaware in 2009 to work for the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Bellingham, Wash., and returned to work in Delaware State Parks in 2010 as a conservation tech at Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks. Thompson worked at Brandywine Creek State Park from 2015 to 2017, when he was promoted to assistant superintendent of Bellevue. Thompson then became the assistant park superintendent for Alapocas Run and Wilmington state parks before his promotion to superintendent of Auburn Valley State Park in 2020.

McHugh, Borino, Delaney and Thompson are responsible for all daily operations at their respective state parks, including supervision, scheduling and evaluation of staff; coordination of maintenance and visitor service programs; development and continuation of relationships with partners, adjacent landowners and community groups; and fiscal, programmatic and infrastructure planning.

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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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DNREC to Launch Drive-On Surf Fishing Reservation System May 16

For annual and two-year surf fishing permit holders, reservations will be required weekends and holidays starting May 20.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will launch the pilot surf fishing program reservation system for Delaware State Parks drive-on, multi-use beaches next week. Reservations are required during peak times this summer season.

In 2022, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation worked with stakeholders and used public input to develop a program to provide access to surf fishing on state park multi-use beaches during peak times while protecting natural resources.

For annual and two-year surf fishing permits, reservations will be required weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Saturday, May 20, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, a total of 36 days in 2023. 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 system will open for reservations beginning Tuesday, May 16 for reservations on Saturday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 17 for reservations on Sunday, May 21. Reservations for each weekend will open weekly beginning Tuesdays for the upcoming Saturday and Wednesdays for the upcoming Sunday and will be available until sold out for that weekend.

Reservations may be made at www.destateparks.com/surftagsales and will be first come, first served. The website also includes frequently asked questions and other drive-on surf fishing resources. Annual and two-year surf fishing permit holders may access the beach without a reservation on peak weekends and holidays after 4 p.m. but must be off the beach by 8 a.m. the next morning.

Reservations can be made online via desktop and mobile 24 hours a day once the weekly reservation window opens 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 cannot be made in person at state parks or at the DNREC Central Office in Dover.

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

Other details:

A fee of $4 per reservation will be charged to reserve drive-on access. This fee is non-refundable.
One reservation will be allowed per annual and two-year surf permit holder per day. Reservations are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Those with more than one Surf Fishing Permit who would like to use multiple vehicles on the same day will require the driver of the vehicles to make a reservation under their customer account.
Reservations may be made for any of the drive-on multi-use beaches in Delaware State Parks.
Once a reservation is made, it cannot be changed. If the person who made the reservation wishes to drive onto the beach at a different location from where they reserved, they must cancel and make another reservation for the correct beach based upon availability.

To find answers to frequently asked questions and other surf fishing resources, go to www.destateparks.com/surftagsales

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

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DNREC Honors Volunteers of the Year on The Green in Dover

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, center in second row, presented 2023 DNREC Volunteers of the Year awards Thursday, April 20, at a ceremony on The Green in Dover. /DNREC photo.

For National Volunteer Week, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) celebrated the thousands of volunteers statewide who support the department’s mission throughout the year. DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin recognized the 2023 DNREC Volunteers of the Year in a ceremony on The Green in Dover.

“Our volunteers are vital to DNREC’s mission, expanding our staff’s reach by helping with scientific research, enhancing our natural and cultural resources, outreach and countless other tasks in our state parks and wildlife areas throughout the state,” said Secretary Garvin. “Today, during National Volunteer Week, we recognize some of our most dedicated volunteers who join us in serving the people of Delaware and caring for our environment.”

This year’s DNREC Volunteers of the Year and their award categories are:

William (Bill) Albright, Education/Historical/Cultural, is known for constantly going the extra mile and greeting every visitor with kindness and respect to make sure their visit is enjoyable at Fort Miles Museum, Cape Henlopen State Park.
Amanda Cinque, Administration/Coordination/Education, runs First State Heritage Park’s volunteer youth group, First State Club, which reported more than 800 hours in 2022; besides ensuring community outreach, Amanda is also known for teaching her students life skills to help prepare for college, internships and jobs.
Ruth Williams, Conservation/Education, was recently given the title of lead docent for her enthusiasm and commitment to events programming at the Brandywine Zoo, from Traveling Zoos to Little Nature Explorers.
Richard Pesce, Restoration/Coordination, contributed 216 hours of maintenance services at Auburn Valley State Park in 2022, and is known as “driven and goal-oriented” and willing to do any task put in front of him at the park.
Sara Anderson, Research, has served as a dedicated horseshoe crab survey team lead at North Bowers Beach for nearly 20 years, providing knowledgeable expertise and reliable data as well as assisting with educating other volunteers.
Daniel Millman, Youth Research, age 15, has volunteered with the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife for several years assisting Delaware’s deer population survey for chronic wasting disease, and is a huge asset to the program, putting in many hours during the season.
Wren Rust, Youth Administration/Coordination/Conservation/Restoration, age 16, has spent dozens of hours volunteering weekly at Brandywine Creek State Park, a park she grew up loving and visiting, including trail clearing, trash pickup, maintaining rock walls and helping with large events.
BlackRock Corporate Volunteers, Business Partner, an investment, advisory and risk management solutions firm, performed more than 70 hours of service in two 2022 events at Bellevue State Park and also made a group donation of $1,750 to the Friends of Bellevue State Park.
Delaware Kestrel Partnership Volunteers, Research/Community Action Group, assisted the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife in 2022 by conducting most of the monitoring of 76 kestrel nest boxes across the state, totaling 140 hours and contributing significantly to research on these state-endangered birds.
Friends of Wilmington State Parks, Conservation/Restoration Community Action Group, launched a native habitat restoration program several years ago in Brandywine Park; in 2022, a small group spent 86.5 hours nurturing nearly 70 trees and shrubs at Habitat Hill, today an oasis of native flora beginning to thrive, and a budding bevy of biodiversity attracting returning fauna.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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Governor Carney, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Open WWII Tower 3 to Public

Gov. John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin joined WWII Veterans Ernie Marvel and Herb Faulls, U.S. Army Commander Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson II, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens, Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation Members and other state and local officials cutting the ribbon for public access to the rehabilitated World War II-era Tower 3 at Delaware Seashore State Park. Left to right in photo: Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation President Chairman Larry Brown, Sussex County Councilman Mark Schaeffer, Delaware House of Representatives Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf, Maj. Gen. Edmonson, State Senator Russell Huxtable, World War II Veteran Ernest Marvel, State Sen. Gerald Hocker, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, WWII Veteran Herbert Faulls, Gov. Carney, Sussex County Council President Michael Vincent, DNREC Secretary Garvin, State Rep. Ronald Gray, Dover Air Force Base Col. Jason Holcomb, and DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens. /DNREC photo

New Access to Top of Rehabilitated Coast Defense Tower Offers Panoramic Views of Atlantic Ocean, Inland Bays

Gov. John Carney joined Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the newly-rehabilitated World War II Fire Control Tower 3 in Delaware Seashore State Park (DSSP). Visitors to Towers Beach along Route 1 in the park can now walk up the nearly 100 spiral steps to the top of Tower 3, which was built to help protect the Delaware coastline during the Second World War.

Tower 3 is one of 15 fire control towers built as part of Fort Miles, now part of Cape Henlopen State Park, during World War II. Eleven towers were constructed in Delaware while another four were across the Delaware Bay in New Jersey. While Fort Miles never had to engage enemy warships during World War II, the soldiers stationed at this tower practiced regularly to be thoroughly prepared.

“These World War II era towers are iconic landmarks of Delaware’s coastline,” said Gov. John Carney. “I’m glad that Tower 3 has been preserved so future generations can learn about Delaware’s history while enjoying our beautiful state parks. I want to thank DNREC, the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, Delmarva Veterans Builders, and members of the General Assembly for making this landmark accessible to the public.”

The project highlights the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation’s strong partnerships with volunteer groups like the Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation (DSPF) and the Fort Miles Historical Association, local legislators and various area stakeholders, all of whom came together to bring this project to fruition.

The endeavor to open the tower to the public began more than 15 years ago when the DSPF the non-profit organization that supports Delaware Seashore State Park, launched its “Save the Tower” fundraising efforts. Donations started to take off just before being delayed by The Great Recession, and the project was delayed. The DSPF continued to raise funds to bring Tower 3 back to life and by 2019, enough money had been raised to commence construction.

“Many people have been waiting for the day they can walk to the top of Tower 3. We are honored and proud to preserve this piece of Delaware’s World War II history and excited for visitors to learn about and enjoy it,” said. DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “A trip to the tower makes a great excuse to get outside on Earth Day and enjoy views of the ocean, beach, dunes and inland bays. The wetlands visible to the south are some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, right here in Delaware.”

The rehabilitation project cost approximately $1.7 million, of which $500,000 was raised by the DSPF from multiple sources, and with $300,000 contributed via Community Transportation Funds from all Sussex County Legislators who served during the 151st Delaware General Assembly.

Construction was led by Delmarva Veterans Builders and included installation of modern features along with restoration of the tower’s ships ladders; installation of an entry ramp and sidewalk; a metal spiral staircase to the top; lighting; a fire alarm system; replacement of windows on the bottom level; a handrail and netting system at the top of the tower for safety; and interpretive elements that will enable the public to understand the important role fire control towers played in World War II. A separate project to pave the Towers Beach parking lot and replace its bathhouse ramp was also recently completed.

Following today’s ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed an ice cream social as they waited their turn to go to the top of Tower 3. Honored guests included WWII Veterans and Delawareans Ernie Marvel and Herb Faulls; the family of the late Dr. Gary Wray, Fort Miles Historical Association co-founder; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert L. Edmonson II, and William C. Grayson, author of the book “Delaware’s Ghost Towers: The Coast Artillery’s Forgotten Last Stand During the Darkest Days of World War II.”

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation manages more historic structures than any other entity in the state. The rehabilitation of Tower 3, a long time in the making, was a unique project to tackle, and will serve as a tourist destination for years to come. Tower 3 also is the second fire control tower the division has opened to the public in Delaware State Parks, following Tower 7, known as The Observatory, and located within Cape Henlopen State Park near Fort Miles.

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

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Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol to Host Tryouts April 16 and 30, and May 7

The Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol is an elite group of men and women responsible for ocean rescue and beach safety at Delaware’s award-winning state park beaches.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s new Beach Patrol Capt. Bailey Noel is actively recruiting lifeguards for the summer 2023 season. Tryouts will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. Sundays, April 16 and 30, and May 7, at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach. Lifeguards are sought for Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island state parks.

Noel, a recent hire by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, is a 15-year veteran lifeguard who has worked in Fenwick, North Bethany and most recently as a lieutenant with the Sea Colony Beach Patrol.

Those 16 years of age and older interested in joining the Beach Patrol must sign up for and successfully complete a 2023 Beach Patrol tryout, fill out an application on-site and interview with Beach Patrol officers and senior staff following the tryout.

No experience is necessary, but Beach Patrol members must meet required physical fitness and swimming standards. The patrol also competes in various local, state, regional and national lifeguard competitions. Tryouts include a 500-yard swim within 10 minutes, freestyle stroke only, and a 1-mile beach run within 10 minutes.

The starting salary is $18.75 and bonuses of $250 to $500 are available for meeting various milestones throughout the summer season. A limited number of subsidized housing options are available to qualified applicants.

Beach Patrol members receive paid Delaware State Parks Ocean Rescue Training, Nationally Accredited DOT Emergency Medical Responder Training, CPR/AED, oxygen administration, and trauma/medical care at the professional level, and advanced certification through the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

For more information about joining the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol, go to https://destateparks.com/beachpatrol.

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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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