Trails in parks, wildlife areas and DNERR’s Blackbird Creek Reserve remain open

DOVER, Del. – The trail at the St. Jones Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) near Dover is temporarily closed past the first marsh boardwalk as a result of damage caused by Monday’s severe storms.

A University of Delaware-operated weather station at the reserve measured a peak wind gust of 67.9 miles per hour just before 4 p.m. Monday. Numerous trees fell across the trail that connects to the adjoining Ted Harvey Conservation Area. Staff have worked to clear the trees and will need to perform repairs to the boardwalk, which could take a few weeks. A small greenhouse on the reserve was also destroyed by a fallen tree.

“Many people enjoy getting out and walking the trail at St. Jones, especially lately,” said Dayna Cobb, Director of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal & Energy. “But the safety of visitors is our primary concern, and so much of the trail will be closed until repairs are completed.”

For those looking for alternatives, state parks and wildlife areas remain open, as well as the trails at DNERR’s Blackbird Creek Reserve near Townsend.

While most state parks, nature and wildlife areas continue to stay open for Delawareans, many amenities, including restrooms, are closed. Individuals who visit state properties are required to engage in responsible social distancing practices, avoiding groupings of people.

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 DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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WILMINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation’s Bellevue State Park has announced that visitors who travel to the park for the Bellevue Summer Concert Series need to be aware that an ongoing road construction project near the park will require using detour routes to get into the park via the entrance at 800 Carr Road, Wilmington, DE 19809.

The I-95 northbound and southbound ramps for Marsh Road, Exit 9, are closed for repairs until the end of August. Due to ongoing construction, motorists are prohibited from turning left onto Carr Road from Marsh Road southbound. A recently-updated GPS navigation system and the Google Maps mobile app can provide accurate turn-by-turn directions to navigate the construction detours and enter Bellevue State Park entrance at 800 Carr Road.

Visitors without GPS or Google Maps mobile app access can follow these directions to navigate safely to the Bellevue park entrance:

• I-95 northbound: Continue northbound on I-95 past exit 9 (Marsh Road) and exit the interstate at Exit 10 (Harvey Road). Turn right onto Harvey Road, then right again onto Philadelphia Pike. Turn right onto Silverside Road and then left onto Carr Road. The park entrance will be approximately one mile ahead on the left.
• I-95 southbound: Exit the interstate at Exit 9 (Marsh Road) and turn left onto Marsh Road southbound. Continue past Carr Road and turn left onto Washington Street Extension. Turn left onto Philadelphia Pike, left onto Bellevue Parkway, and left again onto Carr Road. The park entrance will be just ahead on the left.
• I-495 Northbound and Southbound: Exit the interstate at Exit 4 (Edgemoor). Turn right onto Edgemoor Road, turn slightly right onto State Route 3 (Marsh Road), then turn right onto Carr Road. The park entrance will be just ahead on the right.

The summer concert series has 23 dates, scheduled every Thursday and Sunday now through Aug. 25, with the exception of Thursday, July 4. Visitors who require assistance with navigating to the park to attend concerts can call the park office at 302-761-6963.

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

Vol. 49, No.147

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the temporary closure of the Phillips Landing Boat Ramp parking lot and fishing area would be extended through Tuesday, March 26 to complete the repaving of the parking lot that has been delayed due to weather. The area was initially closed on Thursday, March 21 for the repaving project.

The parking lot repaving is one of the final steps in the expansion and upgrading of the boat ramp, which has been closed for construction since November.

The closest alternative location for shoreline fishing is the Edward R. Koch Fishing Access Area, located on Broad Creek near Bethel.

For more information on the Phillips Landing Boat Ramp closure, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 64

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the Port Mahon Fishing Pier is scheduled to temporarily close starting Sept. 17 to replace all pier decking. The pier will remain closed for the duration of the repairs, with an anticipated completion date in late October, weather permitting.

For project schedule changes or for more information on this project, please check the Division’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife, or call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48 No. 246

NEW CASTLE – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that repairs and upgrades to the rifle-pistol range at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center will begin Sept. 3. The rifle-pistol range will be closed during construction until its anticipated reopening on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Repairs and upgrades to the rifle-pistol range will involve replacing a damaged concrete floor, and installing a new drainage system, block wall and entryway. The improvements are part of upgrading the Ommelanden shooting range facility to better serve the Division’s shooting sports customers.

Trap and skeet fields and archery courses will not be impacted by these improvements and will remain open during regular operating days and hours available at Ommelanden Range.

For more information, contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

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

Vol. 48, No. 237