DNREC, DDA propose new regulations for firearms possession within Delaware state parks, wildlife areas, and state forests

DOVER – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) have proposed new regulations expanding the scope of legal possession of firearms within Delaware’s state parks, state wildlife areas and state forests. Both agencies submitted the proposed regulations for publication in the Feb. 1 Monthly Register in response to a Dec. 7, 2017 Delaware Supreme Court decision that overturned a Superior Court ruling and expanded the scope of visitors’ ability to possess firearms in Delaware’s state parks under DNREC’s authority and state forests which are under the DDA’s jurisdiction.

Following the Court’s decision to invalidate existing regulations limiting firearms in those state lands, DNREC and DDA earlier issued interim regulations which went into effect on Dec. 26, 2017. The interim regulations, issued by Orders of the DNREC and DDA Secretaries, respect the State Constitutional provisions on firearms cited by the Supreme Court in its ruling, by implementing the State’s interest in ensuring public safety in a less restrictive manner. Interim regulations are effective for 120 days, with the possibility of a 60-day extension, for a total of 180 days before new regulations must be promulgated.

The proposed regulations by DNREC and DDA, pursuant to the Supreme Court ruling, state that visitors may legally possess firearms, as allowed by Delaware law, in state parks, wildlife areas and forests unless they are prohibited by law due to a past conviction for a violent crime, active Protection from Abuse Order, or mental health commitment. This would include, for example, trails, unguarded beaches, parking lots, and vehicles. The proposed regulations prohibit firearms only in certain public facilities and designated areas such as park offices, visitor centers, nature centers, bathhouses, stadiums and facilities while used for events, museums, zoos, stables, educational facilities, dormitories, playgrounds, camping areas, swimming pools, guarded beaches, and water parks. Proposed regulations call for these designated areas to be identified by appropriate signage.

The proposed regulations allow holders of valid Delaware concealed-carry permits to carry within parks, including designated areas, provided only that the permit be produced upon request. The regulations would further allow active-duty law and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry anywhere within the parks and other areas affected by Supreme Court decision. The proposed regulations can be found on the DNREC website.

A public hearing on the proposed regulations will be held March 12 at 6 p.m. in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Public workshops on the proposed regulations will be held in February in all three counties in advance of the March 12 public hearing. The dates, times and locations of the workshops are:

Vol. 48, No. 10

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

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DNREC preview shows how new water slides, amenities have transformed Killens Pond State Park waterpark

FELTON – Four brand new, state-of-the-art water slides were previewed today at the Killens Pond State Park waterpark by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation. On hand to view on the newly-rehabbed waterpark were Governor Jack Markell, DNREC Secretary David Small, Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens and Dr. Brenda Wynder, Superintendent of the Lake Forest School District. The slides are expected to open to the public by Friday, just in time for the July 4th holiday weekend.

The two new spiral slides and two speed slides are each mounted on a 54-foot-high platform, almost twice as high as the slides they replaced. Other improvements include an enhanced entry with colorful canopies, an enlarged queuing area to provide shade for customers waiting to enter the waterpark, and additional ticket booths to expedite the ticketing process. Accessibility improvements have been completed at the bathhouse, which also received fresh coats of paint, and a new building to house the water filtration system to support the slide complex and future improvements.

“The improvements at the Killens Pond State Park waterpark enhance what is already a great Delaware destination, making it even more attractive to families and anyone who lives, works or visits here,” said Gov. Markell. “This project is an investment that will bring more visitors to the state, support the economy and provide families with a fun, safe and healthy option to get outside and enjoy nature.”

Not counting regular maintenance, this is the first renovation since the waterpark opened 20 years ago. The original slides were built in 1996. Those were removed in 2014 due to age and safety concerns, which left just one temporary 15-foot-high spiral slide.

“The upgrades to the waterpark are the latest in a number of major improvements to the amenities and infrastructure that make our state parks such exceptional places to enjoy the outdoors in Delaware,” said Sec. Small. “We are grateful for the support of Governor Markell, our General Assembly, our Friends organizations and most importantly, our park visitors who understand the value of our parks and their contributions to our quality of life. The new slides and improvements will help maintain Killens Pond State Park as a premier destination in Kent County.”

A master plan for improvements to the waterpark’s pool area was mapped out in 2014 and divided into four phases. Construction of this first phase began in December of 2015. The $3.7 million improvements for Phase 1 and some other parts of the project were funded from the FY 2016 Capital Bond Bill and Division-generated revenue from daily entrance and camping fees, among other sources.

State Senators David Lawson, Colin Bonini and Brian Bushweller, and State Representative William Outten provided Community Transportation Funds used to purchase a new sound system which provides public safety messages and customer service announcements to waterpark visitors.

The Phase I improvements are expected to attract as many as 110,000 people this summer alone. The waterpark schedule and entrance fee information can be found at www.destateparks.com.

Delaware State Parks has completed $15 million in capital improvements within the parks system during this fiscal year with funding from user fees, state bond bill allocations, Federal Land & Water Conservation Grants, Community Transportation Funds, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Friends of Delaware State Parks private grants and fundraising, Federal Fish & Wildlife Restoration grants, private donations from foundations such as Longwood and Crystal Trust, and other sources.

VIDEO AVAILABLE at  https://www.facebook.com/DNREC/

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

Vol. 46, No. 234


Stretch of beach at Gordons Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park will close starting Monday, June 13 to safeguard first nest of piping plovers found there this season

LEWES – The first piping plover nest of the season at Cape Henlopen State Park’s Gordons Pond has been discovered by DNREC beach-nesting bird monitors Kevin Bronson and Taylor Klecan, according to their supervisor, Division of Fish & Wildlife biologist Matthew Bailey with DNREC’s Species Conservation and Research Program.

“The news is especially exciting this year because the storms that hit the beaches over the winter carved out lots of new plover habitat at Gordons Pond,” Bailey said. “This may lead to greater nesting success both this year and in coming years.”

To minimize disturbances to the tiny endangered shorebirds, a half-mile stretch of beach between the Observation Towers and the Herring Point dune crossover will be closed to the public beginning Monday, June 13 – with signs, twine and PVC stakes to mark the area.

“Closing off plover nesting areas is an established protocol every year at Cape Henlopen, and this closing is in the typical area that beachgoers are accustomed to,” said Bailey, who serves as coordinator of the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Piping Plover Protection Program. “The area will remain closed until the last of our plover chicks are fledged, usually in late August.”

For more information on piping plovers and DNREC volunteer opportunities for monitoring them, please contact Matt Bailey, Division of Fish & Wildlife, at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@delaware.gov.

About the piping plover
The piping plover was listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1986, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for its protection in Delaware. Under a binding agreement and species management plan that DNREC made in 1990 with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) – the federal agency with oversight of this ESA-protected species – piping plover nesting areas at Cape Henlopen State Park are closed annually to the public to protect the shorebirds from disturbance during their nesting season from March into September. The closure, which includes the Point and smaller areas around Gordons Pond and with both feeding habitat and nesting areas protected, has been successful, increasing the number of piping plover nesting pairs from a low of two pairs to a high of nine pairs. Piping plovers feed on small invertebrates that inhabit the intertidal zone near their nesting territories. Chicks are not fed by their parents, but rather are led to the shoreline to forage while the adults keep watch for potential threats. Allowing pedestrian traffic in the intertidal zone adjoining nesting areas would disturb the vital link between nesting and foraging habitat, and risks adverse stress or mortality to the chicks.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson or Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 215


DNREC reminds Delawareans and visitors to take advantage of free admission on ‘Delaware State Parks Day’ Sunday, June 5

DOVER – With Governor Jack Markell having proclaimed Sunday, June 5 as “Delaware State Parks Day,” DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation reminds Delawareans and visitors alike that admission is free that day to most parks comprising the Delaware State Parks system, which garnered the 2016 Gold Medal Award as the nation’s best-managed parks system. Free parks admission is also made possible through sponsorship from the Delaware Tourism Office’s “Visit Delaware”.

“Tourism in Delaware contributes $3 billion to our economy annually – and having the best state parks in the country is key to our success,” said Gov. Markell said in making his “Delaware State Parks Day” announcement. “Delaware attracts multitudes of out-of-state – and in-state – visitors who come to enjoy scenic and recreational destinations like the Junction & Breakwater Trail at Cape Henlopen for biking, Delaware Seashore State Park and the Indian River Marina for surf-fishing and boating, Lums Pond for zip-lining, along with many other great outdoors and cultural experiences. I encourage Delawareans and visitors to our state alike to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity on June 5 to enjoy all our parks have to offer.”

“With Delaware State Parks is celebrating their 65th anniversary this year and also the National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) as the best-managed parks system in the country, the free admission on Delaware State Parks Day June 5 is a great opportunity for folks to experience our great state parks and to see for themselves why Delaware’s parks system was chosen No. 1 nationally,” said DNREC Secretary David Small.

“The state parks system is a scenic and exciting way for visitors to discover what makes Delaware special,” said Delaware Tourism Director Linda Parkowski. “The state drew a record eight million visitors in 2014 thanks in large part to Delaware’s five-star beaches, which include beaches at three state parks. Visit Delaware’s continued partnership with Delaware State Parks, through programs like the Delaware Outdoor Trail, keeps that tourism momentum going.”

DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation/Delaware State Parks Director Ray Bivens said that June 5 is a date doubly important to anyone planning to take advantage of free admission for state parks and who might also want to fish for free and without needing a fishing license – as June 4 and 5 comprise the “Fish for Free” weekend in Delaware, sponsored by DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, and includes freshwater angling opportunities within many state parks.

More information on Delaware State Parks’ 65th anniversary celebration and the “Free Day in the Park” presented by the Delaware Tourism Office’s “Visit Delaware” can be found at www.destateparks.com/65years. For more on “Visit Delaware”, including lists of things to do in Delaware and ways to plan your next trip, please go to www.VisitDelaware.com.

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

Vol. 46, No. 203


Delaware State Parks announces ‘Kickstarter’ campaign for funds to build new cabins in Cape Henlopen State Park

DOVER – Delaware State Parks and Cape Henlopen State Park have kicked off a fundraising campaign this month through Kickstarter.com to raise money for new camping cabins at the popular beach vacation spot.

Kickstarter, a popular crowdfunding site, boasts a global community built around creative projects where people from around the world can find the resources needed to transform ideas into reality. To date, tens of thousands of projects – big and small – have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens is hopeful that backers will help fund the project, giving the gift of great family memories to more Cape Henlopen State Park visitors at an affordable price. “I am always happy to hear visitors tell me they look forward to bringing their family to our parks each year, spending camping trips with us as their annual family vacation,” Bivens said. “We are proud of this Kickstarter campaign as it will increase the opportunity for more families to share in an enjoyable, educational, relaxing and most of all, affordable vacation.”

Delaware State Parks made the decision to add additional camping cabins to the park after realizing the popularity the original six cabins saw during the peak season in 2015. “With a 97 percent occupancy rate and more than 1,500 people enjoying the cabins last year, we saw a need to give more visitors the opportunity to enjoy what Cape Henlopen has to offer,” said Cape Henlopen State Park Manager Paul Faircloth. “According to last year’s numbers and the projected numbers for 2016, these cabins will allow us to host around 2,000 people throughout the peak season.”

Campaign backers who have yet to secure plans for Memorial Day weekend will have the opportunity for special rewards by donation levels. A $500 donor, for example, would enjoy being the first to stay in the new cabins over Memorial Day Weekend. Other rewards include annual park passes, a week-long stay in the new cabins and even the opportunity to be “Parks Superintendent for the Day” at Cape Henlopen, including a behind-the-scenes tour with Director Bivens.

Contributions can be made to the campaign at www.Kickstarter.com until Wednesday, May 11 by searching “Cape Henlopen Camping Cabins.”

For more information about Delaware State Parks, the Kickstarter campaign or camping in the parks, please visit www.destateparks.com.

Media Contact: Caroline Foltz, Enterprise Development Coordinator, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9185, Caroline.Foltz@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 149