FELTON –Fifty-eight Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) members spent 14,000 hours this summer in DNREC’s Delaware State Parks removing hundreds of acres of invasive plants, cleaning, painting, staffing park offices, planting, mulching, building displays at the Delaware State Fair, and even constructing stocks to be used at Dover’s 18^th Century Market Fair this fall, to name just a few. During an end of year celebration for their service, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin and others thanked the participants for all of their hard work in state parks this summer.

“This job may not have always been easy, but the impact you have made this summer is far greater than you will ever know,” said Secretary Garvin. “You have developed a stronger connection to the nature around you. We need you and the environmentally-based knowledge and abilities you have learned this summer. You have made a major difference and our collective hats are off to you. We could not have had such a successful summer season without you, and celebrating you is a small thanks for all you have done.”

The YCC fosters an interest in nature-related career paths, and figures bear this out. Before the program, 68.9 percent of this year’s YCC members were interested in environmental science or natural resource management. Following the program, 80 percent have indicated that they are interested in those careers.

DNREC’s Delaware State Parks YCC program provides high quality summer jobs and environmental opportunities for young people aged 16-21. Corps members conduct meaningful environmental and park-focused activities as a means of achieving personal growth. Through service, participants gain skills, confidence, and see first-hand the benefit their hard work makes in providing a lasting benefit for public lands and communities. YCC is committed to engaging young people in important conservation and park projects while providing learning that fosters teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

For more information on the YCC, contact Ashleigh McKinney, program manager,

DNREC’s Delaware State Parks Youth Conservation Corps, 302-538-1732, or visit: http://www.destateparks.com/ycc.

Vol. 47, No. 185

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New law will allow responsible redevelopment of 14 legacy industrial sites along coastline

CLAYMONT, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed into law House Bill 190 – bipartisan legislation that modernizes Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act. The new law will allow for the responsible redevelopment of 14 legacy industrial sites in the coastal zone, new job creation, and additional environmental clean-up of those legacy sites along Delaware’s coastline.

Representative Ed Osienski, Senator Bryan Townsend, Senator Brian Pettyjohn, Representative Debra Heffernan, and Representative Ron Gray sponsored the legislation, which passed the General Assembly with bipartisan approval.

Governor Carney – who called for responsible changes to the Coastal Zone Act during a joint address to the General Assembly in March – signed the legislation at the former site of chemical manufacturer General Chemical in Claymont, now owned by D2 Management.

“This spring, I urged members of the General Assembly to make responsible changes to the Coastal Zone Act that would allow us to create new jobs, while continuing to protect our environment. The responsible changes in this bill meet that test,” said Governor Carney. “By passing this legislation, the General Assembly recognized that we can clean up our abandoned industrial sites, responsibly redevelop them, and put them back to work for Delawareans. This new law will help create good-paying jobs, and help us ensure that Delaware’s economy works for all Delawareans. Thank you to Representative Osienski, Senator Townsend, and all members of the General Assembly for their leadership on this issue.”

“I strongly believe the 46-year-old Coastal Zone Act was – and still is – a landmark piece of legislation. It has limited heavy industry activity to only 14 sites, comprising less than 2% of our total coastal zone, and House Bill 190 does not change that,” said Representative Osienski, D-Newark. “House Bill 190 and the conversion permit it creates will achieve the balance between protecting our coastal zone and allowing responsible companies the opportunity to redevelop on the original 14 sites that were active when the CZA passed in 1971.

“If we are able to convert some of these abandoned brownfields into active industries, these sites could employ hundreds, even thousands, of Delawareans, offering good-paying jobs that could become careers for many. The process of remediating and building up an industry would mean more environmental cleaning and construction jobs. An active industry would contribute personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, and property taxes to our local school districts once again.”

Senator Townsend led the effort to approve the law in the Senate. He said the new law strikes a good balance between economic development and environmental protection.

“These changes to the Coastal Zone Act have been robustly debated, as well they should have been because, nationally, the CZA was and remains landmark legislation. I’m confident that the limited scope of the changes we’re making today and the regulations that will govern them will breathe new life into abandoned industrial sites while staying true to the principles underlying Governor Peterson’s vision,” said Senator Townsend, D-Newark. “It is a vision of balance and of environmental protection, of limited heavy industry along a largely undeveloped coast. We owe it to present and future generations to get that balance, and enforcement, right.”

“Let’s be clear, the protections for the vast majority of the Coastal Zone will remain in place and unaffected,” stated Representative Gray, R-Selbyville. “This legislation will appropriately channel development to sites which are best situated to support these types of operations. It provides some common sense flexibility, allowing for the clean-up and re-use of industrial brownfields in a way that will lead to the creation of new, quality jobs, while maintaining a commitment to environmental protection.”

House Bill 190 establishes a conversion permitting process, overseen by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), to allow additional industrial development on specific legacy industrial sites within the coastal zone.

“The amending of the Coastal Zone Act continues to realize the original intent of the Act in striking a balance between protecting the natural resources and environment of Delaware’s coastal zone, and spurring our state’s economy,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin.

Companies seeking a conversion permit must submit an application that details the environmental and economic impacts of previous uses and planned redevelopment of the site, a proposal to offset any negative environmental impacts of industrial redevelopment, and a plan to prepare the site for the long-term effects of sea-level rise.

“At D2, we’ve always known the site had great potential, but this legislation was crucial to attract larger industrial tenants,” said Keith Delaney, President of D2 Management, who hosted Wednesday’s signing event at the former General Chemical site. “The passage of this bill is a transformative first step toward revitalizing Delaware’s manufacturing industry and creating many new construction and permanent jobs in the region. We thank the Governor and the legislators for their tremendous vision and support.”

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WILMINGTON – On the heels of its 10th anniversary celebration, the Can-Do Playground at Alapocas Run State Park has been selected to be featured on the national crowdfunding site, “Fund Your Park,” by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The crowdfunding campaign launched this week by the NRPA, to raise $10,000 for the expansion of the unique playground administered by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation.

The Can-Do Playground was chosen to be featured through the NRPA’s competitive grant process. “Fund Your Park” is a crowdfunding platform designed by NRPA exclusively for park and recreation agencies and donations can be made through a secure site at: http://www.fundyourpark.org/campaign/detail/4892.

“Strong partnerships have brought great results for the Can-Do Playground,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Working with community partners such as the Wilmington Area Rotary Clubs and the NRPA, we have the opportunity to expand and enhance recreational experiences for Delaware residents and visitors of all abilities. The Can-Do Playground is a shining example of what ongoing support and dedication can accomplish.”

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and six greater Wilmington area Rotary Clubs — Brandywine Hundred, Brandywine Naamans, Caesar Rodney, Wilmington and Wilmington West Rotary Clubs — conceived and developed the playground a decade ago, and have reunited to revitalize and expand the state’s first barrier-free public playground for children of all abilities.

The Can-Do Playground promotes cooperative play between children with and without disabilities, and engages them in a wide range of activities essential to their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.

The money raised for the project will:

• Expand the project’s footprint by 5,000 square feet, adding additional pieces of nature-themed interpretive equipment aimed at improving the play experience of children with intellectual disabilities and those with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder;
• Enhance the parent-child bonding experience with “expression swings,” configured with a face-to-face design;
• Replace play components worn by weather and use with panels that add auditory, tactile, and visual experiences throughout the playground;
• Optimize the rubberized surface to ensure ease of access for children with mobility disabilities; and

• Add an accessible area for picnic tables and ground level music activities.

The NRPA is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space.

Vol. 47, No. 167

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WILMINGTON – The Swinging Bridge located in Wilmington State Park’s Brandywine Park will be temporarily closed for repairs beginning 8:30 a.m., Monday, July 24 through 4 p.m. Friday July 28.

During the repairs, the bridge will be closed during the day from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. but open each day after 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the Wilmington State Parks office at 302-577-7020.

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WILMINGTON – Bellevue State Park is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and the staff and the Friends of Bellevue State Park invite the public to join the celebration with all kinds of family-friendly activities and fun for all ages noon – 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2. The park will waive its entry fee for the day.

The celebration will feature concerts by Kategory 5 and the 85-member Chester County Concert Band; a park-wide scavenger hunt with prizes; face painting; sand art; food trucks; an open house at Bellevue Hall (staged for a wedding); tennis and disc golf clinic; dog training and mounted police demonstrations; and exhibits from the Brandywine Zoo and Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. The evening will include a craft beer garden on the patio, live music, a guided hike through the estate, and an introduction to observing the night sky.

Bellevue State Park was established in 1977, and was previously the estate of William DuPont Jr., a bank executive and prominent figure in thoroughbred horse racing and breeding. The estate features a large mansion home, a nine-furlong racetrack, the Figure 8 Barn, extensive stables and paddocks and a first class clay court tennis center used by DuPont’s wife, Margaret Osbourne, a champion professional tennis player.

In addition to the DuPont mansion and estate, Bellevue State Park also includes the mansion and grounds of the Daniel Cauffiel estate and the historic Mount Pleasant Meeting House, parsonage and cemetery.

Walking and biking are very popular around the park’s mile-long trail, which circles a catch-and-release fishing pond. Hiking and riding trails, including a portion of the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail, allow for leisurely exploration of other parts of the estate by foot, bike, or horse.

Bellevue also boasts a modern, privately-run equestrian facility with arenas and full-service stables. Year-round, the park provides a variety of public programs for visitors of all ages, including tours, guided hikes, and nature-themed educational programs. Youth day camps are also available for children of all ages, along with a popular concert series during the summer. Hayrides are available in the fall, and outdoor ice skating on the pond is available during the colder months, conditions permitting.

For more information, visit www.destateparks.com or call 302-761-6963.

Media contact: Beth Shockley, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No.150

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