DNREC Adopts White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan After Significant Public Input

White Clay Creek State Park offers scenic and recreational open space among 3,689 acres and nearly 40 miles of trails in northern Delaware.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has adopted the White Clay Creek Master Plan after significant input from the public. The plan will provide a vision and a framework for White Clay Creek State Park for the next 10 years.

The master plan, created by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation, includes 10 implementation strategies that group individual action items by theme or location. Top strategies include infrastructure improvements to the White Clay Creek Nature Center area to meet the demand of programs and relocation of the park office to the Maxwell House. Other strategies include development of partnerships to help with stewardship of the park, adaptive reuse of historic structures, protection and enhancement of ecology and natural resources, reconfiguration of some vehicular ingress/egress and parking areas, programming and signage, trails and camping. The division also created a calendar, which will be available publicly, with dates when Creek and Thompson Station road segments are open to vehicular traffic.

The public was integral in the creation and approval of the master plan. Signage, social media, emails, a kickoff event and press release were used to get the word out about the process. The division held four open houses and conducted an online survey to gather public input prior to drafting the plan. The division encouraged and maintained an open dialogue with park users and individuals interested in the park, held an open house on the preliminary draft master plan, and welcomed written and electronic comments. A final public meeting was held in August. More than 1,200 participants provided feedback through the process and all comments received were thoroughly evaluated for inclusion in the plan.

White Clay Creek State Park offers scenic and recreational open space among 3,689 acres and nearly 40 miles of trails in northern Delaware. The park is popular for hiking, bicycling, trail running and fishing, and includes accessible fishing docks, a disc golf course, a pavilion, bandshell, playground, agricultural concessionaires, public golf course, diverse natural areas, and is adjacent to the University of Delaware and City of Newark. 

The park’s master plan can be viewed at www.destateparks.com/whiteclaymasterplan.

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, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation to host open house July 30 on White Clay Creek State Park draft master plan

The Pomeroy Bridge within White Clay Creek State Park

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation has created a draft master plan for White Clay Creek State Park, and will host an open house for the public to provide comments and ask questions. The open house will be held from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced in May 2018 that the Division of Parks & Recreation would create a master plan for the future of the park. The Division of Parks & Recreation previously held four open houses and also provided an online survey in 2018 to gather public input. More than 1,300 participants have provided feedback to date.

The draft master plan is available online at www.destateparks.com/whiteclaymasterplan. This webpage will be updated as the process moves forward.

More than 60 items are proposed in the draft master plan. Focus areas include:

  • The Nature Center and programming complex: Facility improvements, interpretive locations, and sustainable access are needed.
  • Park office move: The draft master plan calls for the park office to be moved to an existing building in the Carpenter Recreation Area, creating easier access for most park users.
  • Judge Morris area: A new partnership, with a special events business, is expected to revitalize the Judge Morris Estate.
  • Potential partnerships: The Division of Parks & Recreation will explore partnerships for the adaptive reuse of some buildings, and limited areas.
  • Natural and cultural stewardship: Actions are necessary to protect and enhance the native ecology and cultural history of the park.
  • Parking and vehicular ingress/egress: Among others, this recommendation includes the proposed closure of three segments of road to vehicle traffic, where it is currently restricted.
  • Signage and programming: This includes efforts to improve signage and information on natural and historic features, as well as trail etiquette.
  • Trail projects: An updated trail planning effort is incorporated into the draft master plan.
  • Camping: Camping opportunities are proposed to enhance visitors’ park experiences. More evaluation is needed to determine amenities to be offered and their scope.

Now that a draft master plan has been created, the Division of Parks & Recreation will again provide the opportunity for public involvement and will clarify next steps. These include:

  • 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, July 30 – The Division of Parks & Recreation will host the open house to take comments and answer questions from the public on the draft master plan.
  • 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 1 – The draft master plan will be presented to the Parks & Recreation Council, an 11-member board appointed by the Governor, that advises the Division of Parks & Recreation.
  • August 2019 – The Division of Parks & Recreation will make any necessary revisions to the draft, and the revised version will serve as the final draft master plan, which will be posted online on the DNREC website.
  • Late summer-early autumn 2019 – The Division of Parks & Recreation will host a public meeting on the final draft master plan, to provide the opportunity for any remaining public comments or questions to be heard and addressed.
  • Autumn 2019 – The director of the Division of Parks & Recreation will determine if the final draft master plan should be adopted.

The public is encouraged to submit comments or questions on the draft master plan, whether or not they can attend the open house. Comments can be emailed to DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or sent by US Mail to: DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

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

Vol. 49, No. 186

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DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation to hold Aug. 20 open house on recreation opportunities at White Clay Creek State Park

DOVER – The fourth and final open house to gather public input on creating a master plan for the future of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark will be held 4-7 p.m., Monday Aug. 20, at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced in May that DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is beginning the process of creating a master plan for the future of the park and will be holding four open houses this summer to gather public input before a plan is drafted.

The Aug. 20 open house will focus on current and future recreational opportunities in the park, seeking public input on topics such as disc golfing, camping, concerts and events, hunting, fishing, visiting historic sites, and various types of trail use. Displays showing existing recreational opportunities will be provided for discussion, and staff will be available to answer questions. The open houses are an opportunity for members of the public to convey what they enjoy about the park and what concerns or ideas they might have for the future. This is an important, initial step in the planning process.

Following the Aug. 20 open house, the Division will begin to create a draft master plan, and hold an open house or workshop on that draft plan. The Division will then refine the draft master plan, and hold a formal public meeting before a final plan is adopted. The open house for the preliminary draft master plan and the formal public meeting for the final draft master plan are expected to be held this fall and winter. The Division will announce these events in advance.

White Clay Creek State Park is the second-largest park in DNREC’s park system. The park hosts more than 322,000 visitors each year and contains the most trail miles. The park also holds popular summer concerts, a well-attended summer camp program, the high school cross-country state meet, and other events. Visitors enjoy birding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

The public is encouraged to participate in a brief online survey to provide initial comments. It will close near the end of August for analysis. A second survey with more specific questions will be developed and announced in late summer/early fall. To submit general comments, please email DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or write to DNREC-DPR, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

The public is also encouraged to visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/parks/Information/Pages/White-Clay-Creek-State-Park-Master-Plan.aspx for the latest information and updates, and to check back frequently for the latest news and draft documents for review once developed.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol.48, No. 222


DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation to hold July 10 open house on buildings, infrastructure for White Clay Creek State Park

DOVER – The second of four open houses to gather public input on creating a master plan for the future of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark will be held 4-7 p.m., Tuesday July 10, at Deerfield, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.

DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced last month that DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation is beginning the process of creating a master plan for the future of the park and will be holding four open houses this summer to gather public input for the plan. The open houses are an opportunity for the public to convey what they enjoy about the park, and what concerns or ideas they might have for the future, to aid in developing a draft plan.

The July 10 open house will focus on buildings and infrastructure, for public input on topics such as the Nature Center, the park office, use of buildings, and current/future concessionaires. Information and opportunities to ask questions will be available during the entire open house, with presentations at 4:30 and 6 p.m.

White Clay Creek State Park is the second-largest park in DNREC’s park system. The park hosts more than 322,000 visitors each year and contains the most trail miles. The park also holds popular summer concerts, a well-attended summer camp program, the high school cross-country state meet, and other events. Visitors enjoy birding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.

The next two open houses are tentatively scheduled from 4-7 p.m. at Deerfield, on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, Aug. 1: Focused on roads, trails, and connectivity.
  • Monday, Aug. 20: Focused on recreation topics such as golfing, fishing, visiting historic sites, and events.

In addition to the open houses, the public is encouraged to participate in a brief online survey to provide initial comments. A second survey with more specific questions will be developed later. To submit general comments, please email DNREC_WCCmasterplan@delaware.gov, or write to DNREC-DPR, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, Attn: WCCSP Master Plan.

The public is also encouraged to visit www.destateparks.com/whiteclaymasterplan for the latest information and updates, and to check back frequently for the latest news and draft documents for review once developed. In addition to the webpage, announcements will be made by DNREC press releases, signs in the park, and other means.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol.48, No. 179


DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation to host open house on Brandywine Zoo master plan on June 14

WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will host an open house for the public to learn about plans for the future of the Brandywine Zoo from 4 – 7 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at the zoo’s Education Center, 1001 North Park Drive in Wilmington.

The open house will provide an opportunity for the public to meet with zoo and park staff to learn about upcoming plans for the zoo in its new master plan, which includes planning for the zoo over the next five to eight years.

The zoo, open since 1905, is home to large and small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Major exhibits include bald eagles, Andean condors, river otters, and red pandas.

The Brandywine Zoo is located a few steps from the Brandywine River and is accredited by the American Zoological Association. The zoo is managed by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation with the support of the Delaware Zoological Society. It is wheelchair-accessible and features convenient free parking. The zoo’s education department offers programs for all ages.

The Education Center is located at 1001 North Park Drive in Wilmington, cross streets Van Buren Street ( Monkey Hill) and North Park Drive. Parking is available at Brandywine River lot.

For more information about the Brandywine Zoo master plan, please visit the DNREC website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/parks/Information/Pages/Brandywine-Zoo-Master-Plan.aspx

More information about the Brandywine Zoo is available at destateparks.com or brandywinezoo.org.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No.125