The Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control announces it has issued 15,500 of this year’s 17,000 available surf-fishing permits. In 2019, the Delaware’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Council established a 17,000 cap on annual surf-fishing permit sales as the most equitable way to serve all beach users, manage a limited resource and protect against overcrowding of parks beaches.

Starting Thursday, the Division of Parks & Recreation will reduce the number of locations where surf-fishing permits may be purchased; online sales will be unavailable. The following locations will issue surf-fishing permits until the 17,000 cap is reached:

Bellevue State Park: 800 Carr Road, Wilmington

Cape Henlopen State Park: 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes

Killens Pond State Park: 5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton

Indian River Life-Saving Station: 25039 Coastal Highway, Rehoboth Beach

Surf-fishing permit transfers and replacements are also available at these sites. As a courtesy prior to reaching the 15,500 mark this year, the division issued an e-newsletter and contacted those who purchased surf-fishing permits in 2018 and 2019.

Novice surf anglers are encouraged to view the Surf Fishing at Delaware State Parks informational video that explains surf-fishing rules and regulations in Delaware, what equipment is needed, how to drive on the beach and what to do if a vehicle gets stuck in the sand. There are no current restrictions for non-vehicle, walk-on fishing for those with a valid Division of Fish & Wildlife fishing license. Walk-on surf anglers should only use pedestrian foot traffic access points to access surf-fishing beaches and should use caution near drive-on access points. 

Surf-fishing permits also serve as a Delaware State Parks Annual Pass that provides access to all 17 state parks. Park user fees, including surf-fishing permit fees, provide 65% of the Division of Parks & Recreation’s funding, and are used to operate and maintain the parks.

To learn more about fishing in Delaware State Parks, visit destateparks.com/Adventures/Fishing.

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 Division of Parks & Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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K-9 Vos has first drug alert while on patrol

DNREC Natural Resources Police Park Rangers arrested a Rehoboth Beach man on multiple drug and other charges Memorial Day at Cape Henlopen State Park after park rangers found two subjects in a closed primitive camping area.

At around 4 p.m. May 25, Rangers approached and questioned the individuals, who were burning a fire in a campsite fire pit, and found Ricky C. Garner, 37, of Rehoboth Beach to be in possession of marijuana. K-9 Vos then gave a positive alert for the presence of narcotics in Garner’s belongings, where Rangers found suspected powder cocaine and suspected MDMA (ecstasy).

The Rangers recovered 139 grams of marijuana, edible marijuana, marijuana vape oil, 1.9 grams suspected cocaine, 4.9 grams dried fungus suspected psilocybin mushrooms and 1.9 grams suspected ecstasy from Garner.

Garner was taken into custody without incident and charged with the following misdemeanors:

• 1 count of misdemeanor possession/consumption of marijuana other than for personal use quantity
• 3 counts possession/consumption of a controlled counterfeit substance without a prescription
• 3 counts possession of drug paraphernalia
• 1 count of illegal camping/trespassing under State Park regulations
• 1 count of possession of a prohibited item (BB gun) under State Park regulations

Garner was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and released on his own recognizance pending notification in the Court of Common Pleas.

This was K-9 Vos’s first drug alert on patrol. He recently graduated from the Delaware State Police K-9 narcotics detection training program, and now serves in both patrol and narcotics detection capacities.

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 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 DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

Event highlighted renovated campground, Seaside Nature Center and Fort Miles improvements and amenities

CAPE HENLOPEN – Governor John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin today announced renovations at Cape Henlopen State Park highlighting the newly improved campground and new amenities at the park’s Seaside Nature Center and Fort Miles Historical Area.

“Cape Henlopen State Park is a treasure – one of Delaware’s natural, recreational and historical gems,” said Governor Carney. “With more than 1.7 million visitors a year, this park is a major attraction and greatly contributes to the state’s $3.1 billion tourism industry. These campground improvements and new amenities will attract even more visitors, living in Delaware and outside our state.”

“Cape Henlopen is the place for campers and visitors to be this summer,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The improvements to the campground, the Seaside Nature Center and Fort Miles all serve to make the unique experience of visiting Cape Henlopen State Park better than ever. This would not have been possible without the partnership of the National Park Service, our state legislators and our parks visitors.”

The newly renovated campground is designed to improve the camping experience by fulfilling many visitors’ requests made over the years. Wide roads have now been narrowed to accommodate campsites with paved pads which are now available for 20-, 40- and 50-foot RVs. The new roads are designed to increase the amount of environmentally-friendly pervious surfaces.

More than 100 RV sites now have electrical and water connections, including the first 100 amp electrical service in any state park. In addition, some pull-through sites were added for larger RVs. Every campsite includes a picnic table and fire ring, all on a concrete pad. In addition, a new trail connects the campsites, enabling safer bicycle and pedestrian access.

A larger, new camp store in the center of the campground includes an expanded laundry and camper washing accommodations. The store will supply campers with many of the essentials they may have forgotten as well as morning coffee. A new playground between the bathhouse and camp store creates a hub in the center of the campground. The playground offers space where children can play while parents shop for groceries, do laundry or socialize with other campers.

Tent campers can enjoy 20 walk-in sites adjacent to the Walking Dunes Trail. The walk-in campsite area is a first for the park, already popular at Lums, Killens and Trap Pond state parks.

Visitors can also enjoy a renovated Seaside Nature Center, the most visited nature center in any state park. The wall that previously separated the retail from the exhibit space has been removed to add an open feel to the building.

The centerpiece is a new, 495-gallon, two-level touch tank with viewing windows. The windows allow visitors to watch sting rays, horseshoe crabs and other species in the tank while they’re underwater. The touch tank will serve as an educational tool for school groups, scouts, teachers and families.

The aquarium hallway has new lightboxes with updated information about species and habitats. An improved exhibit for the Friends of Cape Henlopen’s Osprey Cam is installed. New flooring and lighting have also been installed.

Fort Miles will showcase a new 90 millimeter gun which is being restored by the Fort Miles Historical Association’s “Bunker Busters.” The gun was the model used at Fort Miles at the end of WWII in 1944 and was used for top-secret research projects. This gun adds to the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area’s new artillery park.

Funding for the renovations and new amenities came from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, state bond bill funds, state parks fees and donations from the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park and the Fort Miles Historical Association.

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

Vol. 47, No. 117

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Wilmington– Officials from DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation and the Friends of Wilmington Parks invite the public to join in the grand opening of the newly restored Sugar Bowl Pavilion, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2. The iconic architectural feature is located in Brandywine Park. The park is one of six that make up Wilmington State Parks, managed by Delaware State Parks.

“The restoration of the iconic Sugar Bowl Pavilion – years in the making – is a real testament to the dedication of so many people, most notably, the Friends of Wilmington Parks,” said DNREC Deputy Secretary Kara Coats. “Our strong partnership with the Friends of Wilmington Parks, their commitment to the conservation and stewardship of our historic and cultural resources, has brought about a new – and better – Sugar Bowl Pavilion, restored beautifully for all Delawareans and visitors to enjoy.”

The rebuilt pavilion is the culmination of more than 10 years of work. The project was originally discussed in 2004 as a partnership project between the Division of Parks & Recreation and Friends of Wilmington Parks. The planning and bid process continued through 2006 and the Friends began fundraising in 2007. The stock market crash in 2008 resulted in difficulty obtaining foundation grants for restoration projects, which slowed the Sugar Bowl renovation progress. The final phase of the project was completed in July of 2016, with the installation of the 40-foot dome, which was custom-fabricated from a special fiberglass mold.

The historic structure provides visitors a unique vista from a rock cliff, a “gateway” to the city of Wilmington offering panoramic views of the Brandywine Creek and Brandywine Park. It stands near the WWI Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, the African American Medal of Honor Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial in Brandywine Park.

The pavilion will be used for community and family gatherings, ceremonies, concerts, theatrical performances, park programming and historic interpretation. “We are again realizing the dream of the park commissioners of a multifunctional observatory for generations to enjoy,” said Mike Porro, former president of the Friends of Wilmington Parks.

In addition to the new dome, the structure’s concrete deck has been replaced and the stone wall rebuilt. The pavilion has been restored with steel columns. A ramp is in place to ensure accessibility for everyone. And, new electric and lighting has been installed.

Altogether, Friends of Wilmington Parks raised close to $650,000 for the restoration. Delaware State Parks provided $84,560 from grants through the Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program (formerly the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund), and $100,000 came from other state park funds. State Representatives Gerald Brady and Harris McDowell each contributed almost $50,000 through Community Transportation funds, and $45,000 came from the City of Wilmington.

Originally completed in 1902, the pavilion became known as the Sugar Bowl due to its lid-like domed roof. It served as a meeting place and venue for musical programs for several decades. However, the pavilion fell into disrepair following the devastating Hurricane Hazel in 1954, which led to a decades-long decline and deterioration process that left the Sugar Bowl behind.

Now, the freshly renovated pavilion will once again be a special place where visitors can gather to enjoy performances, concerts, park programming and other activities.

Vol. 46, No. 358

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