Delaware Tourism Office/Visit Delaware sponsors State Parks’ June 5 as ‘Free Day in the Park’ across Delaware

Fee-free day celebrates Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary

DOVER – People will have a special opportunity June 5 to “Visit Delaware,” for Delaware State Parks’ “Free Day in the Park,” thanks to the Delaware Tourism Office – Visit Delaware. Every state park will be free to enter that day – excluding Fort Delaware, State Line Beach and the Brandywine Zoo.

“Delaware State Parks is celebrating their 65th Anniversary this year as well as being chosen as the recipient for the National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Visit Delaware has made it possible to waive entrance fees on June 5 – 6/5. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get folks out to experience our award-winning parks,” said Ray Bivens, Director of Parks & Recreation.

Park goers can enjoy beaches, rocky trails and everything in between throughout Delaware. For additional fees families can also experience things like zip-lining through the trees or horseback riding at Lums Pond, biking with the Rail Explorers on the Wilmington-Western Railroad through Auburn Heights and much more.

“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 parks are part of what drew a record 8 million people to the state in 2014. And Visit Delaware’s continued partnership with Delaware State Parks, through programs like the Delaware Outdoor Trail, helps keep that momentum going.”

More information on Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary celebration and the “Free Day in the Park” presented by Visit Delaware can be found at www.destateparks.com/65years.

For more on Visit Delaware, including lists of things to do and ways to plan your next trip, go to VisitDelaware.com.

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

Vol. 46, No. 148


DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation holds lifeguard tryouts

DOVER (March 27, 2013) – Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol is seeking qualified applicants to fill ocean lifeguard positions at five of Delaware’s premier swimming beaches in Sussex County. Tryouts for interested applicants will be held at the Freeman Fitness Center at Sea Colony in Bethany Beach at 8 a.m. on April 2 and 27. There is no pre-registration necessary. Interested individuals may simply attend the tryout of their choice.

No experience is necessary; however, applicants must be at least 16 and able to meet fitness standards and swimming ability minimums, such as: swim 550 yards in 10 minutes; complete a two-mile beach run in 20 minutes; do 25 push-ups in 60 seconds; do 25 sit-ups in 60 seconds; complete a 100-yard timed soft sand sprint; and complete a 25-yard timed swim sprint. 

Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol offers a competitive salary, strength training and participation in Ocean Lifeguard competitions. As a United States Lifesaving Associated (USLA) Advanced Certified Agency, the Beach Patrol also offers the following paid training: Delaware State Parks Ocean Rescue Training; DOT – First Responder Training; CPR/AED/First Aid Training; Helicopter – Open Water Rescue Program; and Sussex County EMS – Medic Assistant Training.

 More information about the Delaware State Parks Beach Patrol is available at destateparks.com/lifeguard or by calling 302-632-0396 or 302-227-2800, ext. 106. Sea Colony is located at 38994 West Way Drive, Bethany Beach, DE 19930.  

Contact: Bryan John, Delaware State Parks, 302-227-2800, ext. 106; Kris Knutsen, 302-632-0396; or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks 302-739-9175, Necia.Beck@delaware.gov

Vol. 43, No.114

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More volunteers needed on Sat., March 23 for beach grass planting at South Bethany and Delaware Seashore State Park

SUSSEX COUNTY – More volunteers are needed at two sites – South Bethany Beach and Delaware Seashore State Park – for Delaware’s annual beach grass planting set for 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 23.

With online registration now closed, volunteers are urged to call DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section at 302-739-9921 or email Jennifer.Luoma@delaware.gov to sign up. More information on the planting event can be found on DNREC’s website at Beach Grass Planting 2013.

According to Jennifer Luoma, environmental scientist and coordinator of the event, other sites have enough volunteers signed up but more are needed in South Bethany and Delaware Seashore State Park, north of the Indian River Inlet.

“We are planting a large area of dunes in South Bethany and in Delaware Seashore State Parkand could really use more volunteers,” said Luoma. “Dunes in these areas were rebuilt after Hurricane Sandy, and beach grass is needed to help stabilize the dunes and make them more protective during a coastal storm.”

The event, now in its 24th year, helps protect Delaware shorelines by planting Cape American beach grass on sand dunes at beaches along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Last year approximately 800 environmental enthusiasts, families and students planted more than 150,000 stems of beach grass along four miles of coastline between Delaware Seashore State Park and Kitts Hummock Beach.

Sand dunes are essential for protection against damaging coastal storms. When sand dunes are destroyed, storm waves can rush inland, flood properties and put lives at risk. Stabilized dunes absorb wave energy and act as major sand storage areas, which replenish sand to eroded beaches during a storm.

Beach grass helps to build and stabilize dunes by trapping windblown sand. As the grass traps the sand, it builds the dunes higher and wider, which makes dunes more protective of the structures behind them. Since the program was introduced in 1989, more than 5 million stems of beach grass have been planted by dedicated volunteers.

DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section coordinates the annual beach grass planting event. The section also implements beach replenishment and erosion control projects along Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay communities to enhance, preserve and protect private and public beaches.

Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 43, No. 101