DNREC Extends Ocean Lifeguard Coverage to Weekends in September

 2024 Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol Tryouts to Begin Sunday.

 

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will continue to have lifeguards at two of its four Delaware State Parks ocean swimming areas after Labor Day, during weekends through Sept. 24. Lifeguards will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cape Henlopen State Park and Delaware Seashore State Park’s South Inlet beaches.

Delaware State Parks ocean swimming areas are typically unguarded after Labor Day. The extension of weekend lifeguarding for the 2023 season is made possible by the significant growth of the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol (DSBP) under new leadership; more than 70 lifeguards were hired this year. Those looking to swim at Delaware State Parks are encouraged to utilize guarded beach areas. After Labor Day weekend, all Delaware State Parks beaches will be unguarded during the week.

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation will hold tryouts for the 2024 summer season at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3. at the Delaware Seashore State Park South Inlet Day Area and Sunday, Sept 10 at Cape Henlopen State Park. Those interested in trying out can find registration information at destateparks.com/beachpatrol.

The Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol is an elite group of men and women responsible for ocean rescue and beach safety, who also receive nationally certified training and compete in local, state, regional and national lifeguard competitions.

More than a dozen DSBP lifeguards competed in the U.S. Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championship held Aug. 10 to 12 as part of the Sussex County Lifesaving team in Virginia Beach. Each DSBP guard was required to compete in three races per day, with several making the semi-finals and finals.

Two guards stood out for DSBP: Coleman Woodard and Josh McIntire. Woodard qualified and was selected for the USA Under 19 National Team and McIntire qualified and was selected for the USA Open National Team. They will now go on to compete at the International Lifesaving Competition from Sept. 18 to 25 in South Padre Island, Texas. Only eight men and eight women in the country are selected to represent Team USA at the event.

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; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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DNREC to Reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 1

The Point’s ocean beach will reopen Sept. 1 while the bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

 

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will reopen The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half-mile along the bay shoreline on Friday, Sept. 1. The bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

The area to reopen includes a stretch of ocean beach and dunes that was previously closed on March 1. Since 1993, The Point has closed annually each March for the benefit of threatened and endangered beach-nesters and migratory shorebirds, including red knot, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns and other species.

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. 

For more information, contact Cape Henlopen State Park at 302-645-8983, or stop by the park office.

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; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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DNREC Awards New Contract for Management of Deerfield and Garrisons Lake Golf Clubs

The par 72 William Gordon-designed course at Deerfield Golf Club encompasses 145 acres at White Clay Creek State Park in Newark and offers dramatic elevation changes.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today that the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation has partnered with Troon St. James, LLC to manage operations of the Deerfield and Garrisons Lake golf clubs owned by DNREC. Troon, which will assume operations under their affiliate Indigo Sports starting Jan. 1, 2024, is an international leader in providing golf and club-related services.

Weddings and other events already booked with the current operator Forewinds Hospitality LLC for 2024 or beyond will be honored by Troon under the new contract. Troon was awarded the contract by DNREC to manage operations at the clubs as part of a request for proposal (RFP), as the existing contract with Forewinds is to expire at the end of 2023.

“Forewinds Hospitality has been a terrific partner for nearly 20 years and we thank them for their valuable contributions over the years. They have done a tremendous job of managing and improving golf operations and event services for the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “We look forward to working with Troon as one of the top golf course management organizations in the country as they continue to build on the success of the Deerfield and Garrisons Lake golf clubs.”

Following state procurement requirements, DNREC released the golf course concession RFP with the goal of identifying suitable vendor(s) and executing a new contract. The division evaluated the bids received by utilizing criteria and scoring included in the RFP.

“We are thrilled about this new partnership with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and we’re very much looking forward to the future of Deerfield Golf Club and Garrisons Lake Golf Club,” said Troon Vice President of Operations Justin Smith. “As we move toward assuming management operations in 2024, we expect a seamless transition for employees, golfers, guests, pass holders and friends of Deerfield and Garrisons Lake.”

As part of the new management agreement, Troon will invest a percentage of their revenue into making capital improvements at both courses annually. The agreement with DNREC and the State of Delaware expires at the end of 2038 and may be extended for an additional 10 years.

The contract includes management of operations for the golf courses, pro shops, conference facilities, banquet rooms, restaurants and bars. Additionally, improvements are under way at Garrisons Lake that include a new cart barn and a 4,300-square-foot clubhouse. The clubhouse will feature a pro shop, restrooms, pub and grill, and indoor/outdoor dining.

Troon manages more than 825 18-hole equivalent golf courses around the globe, including nine in Delaware – they are: Bayside Resort Golf Club in Selbyville, Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club in Ocean View, Delcastle Golf Club in Wilmington, Ed Oliver Golf Club in Wilmington, Fieldstone Golf Club in Greenville, Heritage Shores Golf Club in Bridgeville, Plantation Lakes Golf & Country Club in Millsboro, Rock Manor Golf Course in Wilmington, and the Peninsula Golf & Country Club in Millsboro.

The par 72 William Gordon-designed course at Deerfield Golf Club encompasses 145 acres at White Clay Creek State Park in Newark and offers dramatic elevation changes, while the par-72 Garrisons Lake Golf Club course encompasses 160 acres of well-bunkered, undulating greens in Smyrna.                                      

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; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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DNREC Designers Win National Award

DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation graphic designers Jamie Fritchman and Sarah Sellers show their national award-winning designs, which are part of a series of three commemorative posters that won the 60th Graphic Design USA InHouse Design Award this summer. Not pictured, Orlando Short, who also designed one of the commemorative posters in the winning series.

 

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is proud to announce the Division of Parks and Recreation’s Marketing and Creative Services team was awarded the 60th Graphic Design USA InHouse Design Award. The design team’s series of posters to commemorate division projects was chosen out of more than 5,000 entries into the InHouse Design Award competition.

The team of designers were recognized for their designs of commemorative posters to mark Division of Parks and Recreation capital projects and special events. “Delaware State Parks Commemorative Poster Series,” the three posters highlighted in the award, were created in 2022 and 2023 and are the latest in a series of 15. The posters include the Jason Beach Historical Marker Dedication at Trap Pond State Park by former Creative Services team member Orlando Short, the rehabilitated WWII Tower 3 at Delaware Seashore State Park by Jamie Fritchman and Fort Delaware State Park renovations and additions by Sarah Sellers.

 

Three posters are arranged from left to right. The first poster features the Jason Beach Historical Marker, the second features World War II Tower 3 along Route 1 in Delaware Seashore State Park. The third photo features Fort Delaware State Park's grounds and buildings.

 

“We are thrilled that DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation’s Creative Services team was recognized for this prestigious award. This recognition is a testament to the creativity, dedication and passion of our in-house artists,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The commemorative posters serve as visual tributes to the division’s capital projects and special events, capturing the essence of our beautiful state parks and the memories they create.”

The winning series was chosen out of more than 6,000 entries and was the only artwork by Delawareans to receive an award during this year’s competition. Most entrants are private corporations and brands, large institutional non-profits and educational institutions, which further highlights the talent of the three-person Creative Services team. The only other park, recreation or natural resources entity to receive recognition during this year’s awards was Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department in Florida.

The Creative Services team is a crucial function of the Division of Parks and Recreation and is behind many of the visual elements featured in Delaware State Parks. They produce projects like park signage, educational materials, digital design assets, banners, posters, advertisements, reports, decals and forms. The Creative Services team is managed by Shirley Blankers, who is also an award-winning graphic designer. In 2014, the team began to produce commemorative posters to give to guests at special events. The series has proven so popular the posters are now sold in select park gift shops. 

Graphic Design USA has been a source of news and information for graphic designers and the broader creative community since 1963. The GDUSA “has long sponsored competitions that focus on excellence and opportunity,” and their “lnhouse Design Awards is the original and premier awards program and showcase for excellence by inhouse designers and their departments.”

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; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo Welcomes Baby Pudu

 Clover, a southern pudu brought to the Brandywine Zoo as part of an AZA Species Survival Plan, recently gave birth to a male baby pudu.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Brandywine Zoo are thrilled to announce Clover, a southern pudu at the zoo, welcomed a male baby the night of July 12. The new fawn is a significant contribution to the North American pudu population. Both Clover and her baby are doing well.

Clover, who has been at the zoo since April 2021, was joined by Ande, a 1-year-old male southern pudu, at the end of November from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wash. Their pairing is part of an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), a conservation breeding program where vulnerable species in human care are optimally matched for genetic diversity to increase the population.

A name for the baby, who weighed in at 20 ounces – or four times the size of a hamster, will be chosen soon. Check the Delaware State Parks and Brandywine Zoo Facebook pages for updates as the baby progresses.

While they do have access to their exterior habitat at the zoo, Clover and her fawn are mainly keeping to their holding area for now, especially during hot summer temperatures. If they are seen in their exterior habitat, the public is asked to keep their voices down at this time.

Southern pudu are the second smallest deer in the world at 14 to 17 inches at shoulder height. There are fewer than 10,000 southern pudu left in the wild in Argentina and Chile. This pudu species is considered Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

While not currently endangered, the population in the wild is declining. Pudu face threats , including habitat loss due to logging and agriculture, feral dogs and poaching for the pet trade. AZA zoos, including the Brandywine Zoo, are working to maintain a long-term, genetically valuable population of southern pudu through their SSP program. There are only 45 pudu at 15 institutions in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan. Nine of these animals, including eight males are located at a facility in Argentina, so a new male in the U.S. population is a very welcome addition.

The Brandywine Zoo’s pudu were acquired as part of the zoo’s master plan, which was completed in 2018 and reestablishes the zoo’s commitment as an active contributor to the AZA’s conservation breeding programs.

Several other new additions have recently arrived at the Brandywine Zoo as SSP recommended moves and are visible to guests. These include a female Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, acquired in May. She is currently housed in the South American exhibit with the capybara, ducks and ibis. Hoffman’s sloth are currently listed as “least concern,” but their numbers in the wild are decreasing. Two yearling binturongs, which are also called southeast Asian bearcats, were acquired in June from a zoo in Michigan. These are tree dwelling animals and one of only two carnivores with a prehensile tail. Binturongs are listed as “vulnerable” and their populations in the wild are also declining.

The Brandywine Zoo, managed by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and is one of 238 accredited zoos and aquariums worldwide that meet the highest standard in animal care and welfare, and provide fun, safe and educational experiences.

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; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

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