Dover, Del. (December 7, 2011) – Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware Tourism Office launched the Delaware History Trail, comprised of 36 sites located throughout the state, to showcase the First State’s abundance of historical sites and to educate visitors and residents about Delaware’s place in American history.  Visitors can now follow a trail of exploration to discover and experience Delaware’s rich heritage.

To get started, participants download a Trail Passport and obtain a list of sites and trail rules at visitdelaware.com/History.  As visitors experience each historic site, they record site codes in their passport found on the Delaware History Trail signs posted at each trail site.  Passports are then submitted to the Delaware Tourism Office to receive a special reward for completing the trail.

Trail participants who visit a minimum of 18 sites, including 6 sites from each of Delaware’s three counties, are eligible to receive a limited-edition book entitled, “Landmarks and Legacies.”  The book is a colorful narrative written by talented writer, Pam George, and includes complementary photographs by distinguished photographer, Kevin Fleming, that highlights 50 of Delaware’s prominent historic places—each with its own distinctive story.  The book also includes a Foreword by Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and an Introduction by eminent historian, Russ McCabe—both having strong ties to the State of Delaware.

“The Delaware History Trail salutes our heritage and celebrates Delaware Day,” stated Governor Jack Markell.  “We have a powerful story to tell about ‘our state that started a nation,’ a nation that influenced aspiring democracies around the world.  Delawareans and visitors will both benefit from following the Delaware History Trail to learn stories about the roots of our great nation and our special state.”

“Preservation of historic sites in Delaware is critical to maintaining the integrity of our cultural heritage,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. “Establishing the Delaware History Trail is a great way for the Delaware Tourism Office and the Department of State to work together to preserve and promote the First State’s wealth of historic resources.”

“Increased visitation fuels the economy leading to job creation, state and local tax revenue, thriving communities, and an enhanced quality of life for all Delawareans,” stated Alan Levin, Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office.  “The Delaware History Trail is yet another vehicle to drive more visitors to the First State who support small businesses, the backbone of our State’s economy.

“A national study indicated that 78 percent of leisure travelers take part in activities involving culture and heritage during their destination travels,” claimed Linda Parkowski, Director of Tourism, Delaware Tourism Office.  “With 118 million adults each year spending approximately $994 per trip, cultural and heritage travelers contribute $192 billion annually to the U.S. economy.  We want to bring this market share home to Delaware.”

The Delaware Tourism Office, 99 Kings Highway in Dover, Del., a division of the Delaware Economic Development Office, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware.  For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free (866) 284-7483.

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Photo #1 – Governor Jack Markell, Cabinet Secretary Alan Levin, Linda Parkowski (Director of Tourism, State of Delaware), Pam George (Writer), Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, Russ McCabe (Historian), Kevin Fleming (Photographer).

Media Contact:

Tina Madanat
Tourism Marketing and Public Relations Manager
State of Delaware
Tina.Madanat@delaware.gov
302-672-6834 (office)
302-387-3180 (cell)

News from the Delaware Department of Agriculture

Contact: Anne Fitzgerald – Phone: 302.698.4520 (Office) 302.242.4092 (Cell)

2011 sales top $1.8 million

For the 2011 Delaware Farmers’ Market Season, sixteen Delaware farmers’ markets grossed more than $1.8 million in sales (more than a $400 thousand increase over 2010). As in past years, the season began in April and ended in October. 2011 is the sixth straight year of Delaware Farmers’ Markets increasing sales to consumers.

“Farmers’ markets bring us local fresh fruit and vegetables, support our farmers and contribute to our local economy” said Governor Jack Markell. “Thanks to all the consumers who made this a banner year for our local farmers’ markets. My wife, Carla, and my family have enjoyed many Delaware farm products this year and we look forward to enjoying next season’s harvest.”

“Congratulations to all of our farmers’ markets, our farmers, and other vendors for an outstanding season,” said Ed Kee, Delaware Secretary of Agriculture. “The success of these markets is a reflection of the quality of Delaware’s agricultural products and the hard work of Delaware farmers that are second to none. Our farmers’ markets provide consumers with a direct connection to those who produce the food that they put on their table. The concept of “knowing where your food comes from” continues to grow in popularity and drives people to farmers markets and grocery chains that carry local agricultural products.”

Of the $1.8 million in sales:

• Produce (vegetables and fruits) – 57 %
• Value-added products, eggs, meats, honey, breads/pastries, and miscellaneous items – 43%

The resort area markets continued to lead in sales. Newcomer markets, Milton Farmers’ Market, Sea Colony Farmers’ Market, Cool Spring Farmers’ Market, launched successful first seasons.

2011 Farmers’ Markets

New Castle County

• Cool Spring Farmers Market (a Bright Spot Venture), Wilmington, DE
• Carousel Park Farmers Market, Wilmington, DE
• Co-Op Farmers Market, Newark, DE
• Little Italy Farmers Market , Wilmington, DE
• Wilmington Farmers Market

Kent County

• Delaware State University Farmers Market, Dover, DE
• Harrington Farmers Market, Harrington, DE

Sussex County

• Bethany Beach Farmers Market, Bethany Beach, DE
• Fenwick Island Farmers Market , Fenwick Island, DE
• Georgetown Farmers Market, Georgetown, DE
• Good Earth Farmers Market , Clarksville, DE
• Historic Lewes Farmers Market, Lewes, DE
• Milford Farmers Market, Milford, DE
• Milton Farmers Market, Milton, DE
• Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market
• The Farmers Market at Sea Colony
• Western Sussex Farmers Market

Community interest in farmers’ markets continues to grow. Stay tuned to see an expanded list of 2012 farmers’ markets that will be placed on the DDA website and available via the Delaware Fresh App (apps.delaware.gov) in early spring. Farmers and others that are interested in becoming a vendor at any of the state’s farmers’ markets in 2012 may contact David Smith at (302) 698-4522, or by e-mail at davidm.smith@delaware.gov, or log on to www.dda.delaware.gov and click on farmers’ markets for a current list of markets and market masters for direct market contact.

Note: The Delaware Fresh App was launched this year to help promote farmers markets, on-the-farm markets, Delaware Christmas trees, holiday items and much more. During the holiday season us the App to find a Christmas tree farm near you, holiday decorations, fresh local turkeys, pies, etc. See http://governor.blogs.delaware.gov/2011/11/05/buying-local-in-autumn/.

Governor Markell, Sen. Coons join DNREC Fish and Wildlife, partners to celebrate 100 years of fish and wildlife conservation in Delaware

Photos available for media use on Flickr

WILMINGTON (Nov. 21, 2011) – Governor Jack Markell and U.S. Senator Chris Coons today joined DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara, the staff of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and a host of conservation partners and supporters to officially celebrate the 100^th anniversary of fish and wildlife conservation in Delaware with a special ceremony at the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington.

“Over the past century, fish and wildlife conservation has improved our quality of life, provided a wide range of recreational opportunities and contributed to our economy,” said Governor Markell. “Our state parks and other natural resources help draw thousands of visitors every year who support local jobs and businesses. Delaware has also become an ecotourism destination, with visitors from all over the world coming for the spring spectacle of spawning horseshoe crabs and the thousands of migratory shorebirds.”

Governor Markell also presented a tribute in honor of the past century’s conservation achievements, which began in October 1911, when one of his gubernatorial predecessors appointed the state’s first Board of Game and Fish Commissioners.

Among the accomplishments of the Commission and later, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife cited today:

• Restoration of many species of fish and wildlife including deer, turkey, bald eagle, striped bass and summer flounder populations;
• Acquisition of thousands of acres of land and waterways for habitat conservation, management, restoration and public use;
• Habitat management and restoration on thousands of acres of private lands and waterways;
• Statewide quality outdoor recreation and access for resident and visiting anglers, hunters, nature enthusiasts and the general public;
• Environmentally compatible mosquito control;
• A modern and professional enforcement section that protects our resources and improves boating safety.

“For the past 100 years, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has protected a wealth of natural resources in our great state,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “Delaware’s natural resources support countless recreational activities that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, which helps support local businesses and our regional economy. I congratulate the Division of Fish and Wildlife for 100 years of building a true conservation success story.”

Delaware’s future conservation priorities will include restoring populations of bobwhite quail, shorebirds, weakfish, sturgeon, oysters and other species; managing large populations of deer and geese; controlling invasive species; conserving and expanding biological diversity and habitats; improving and increasing outdoor recreational opportunities; and preparing for the challenges of climate change and sea level rise.

“As we move ahead, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife expects to continue its mission, using sound science to guide policies that protect and enhance our fish, wildlife and natural habitat,” said Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “We will continue to educate and engage the public on the benefits of conservation and outdoor recreation, and to promote understanding that healthy fish and wildlife populations and habitats – and the diverse recreational and commercial opportunities they provide – are a vital part of Delaware’s economy and identity.”

Looking forward, Secretary O’Mara spoke of building on partnerships and of incorporating the best of science and technology into developing new, innovative conservation approaches. As an exciting example, he offered a preview of the Delaware Bayshore Initiative, which was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as one of the country’s most promising ways to reconnect Americans to the natural world.

“For the past half century, strong partnerships among the conservation community, state government, and landowners have preserved the Delaware Bayshore as an ecological treasure. As a result of generations of effort, this area today is known to birders and biologists around the globe as a hotspot for migrating shorebirds and as a destination for low-impact hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching,” said Secretary O’Mara. “The Delaware Bayshore Initiative will build upon the past century of Fish and Wildlife conservation, honor the legacy of the Coastal Zone Act, and help strengthen local economies by focusing strategic investments on ecological restoration and low-impact recreation for the enjoyment of current and future generations.”

The celebration concluded with the ceremonial planting of a native Delaware sycamore tree – a tree known for its longevity, solidity and mature size – and the last of 100 special trees to be planted on the Peterson Refuge in honor of the anniversary. The site is an area recently cleared of invasive plant species beside the DuPont Environmental Education Center, one of several areas on the refuge that have been under restoration.

Owned by the Wilmington Riverfront Corp. and managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in partnership with the Delaware Nature Society, the refuge was established in 1998. Located in the northernmost part of Delaware’s Coastal Zone, the refuge is named for Russell W. Peterson, widely known as the father of Delaware’s Coastal Zone Act and of DNREC, the agency he created in 1971 to join the state’s various environmentally-related commissions including the Board of Game and Fish under one banner and one mission: to conserve, protect and enhance Delaware’s precious natural resources and the quality of life for today’s residents and for the generations that will follow us.

In honor of the 100^th anniversary of fish and wildlife conservation in Delaware, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has planted trees, stocked trophy trout, printed special edition hunting and fishing guides and held hunting and fishing photo contests this year. A series of press releases on the history of the Division’s various sections have been issued, with the stories of Fisheries and Wildlife still to come. For more information about the anniversary, including the photo contests, or the Division’s programs, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw.

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(LEWES) – Today, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation Shailen Bhatt and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara released a list of proposed statewide trails and pathways and signed a Memorandum of Agreement to develop and execute the Governor’s vision, “First State Trails and Pathways Plan.” Yesterday, the Governor announced his ideas for a proposed network of trails and pathways to expand non-motorized travel and recreational opportunities in Delaware.

Before biking advocates, elected officials and community leaders at the Delaware Bike Summit at the University of Delaware’s Virden Center in Lewes, the Cabinet Secretaries detailed a full list of nineteen (19) possible projects for public consideration in each of Delaware’s three counties.

New Castle County Proposed Projects

• Northern Delaware Greenway Trail – Upgrade trail surfaces in Alapocas Run State Park; complete gaps along Talley Road and from Brandywine Zoo to N. Market Street.
• Newark to Wilmington Pathway – Proposed to link the two cities.
• White Clay Creek State Park – Upgrade trail surfaces; complete link along Hopkins Bridge Road between the Pomeroy Trail and Creek Road Trail; and begin design/engineering of the Tri-Valley Trail that will link ultimately link the City Newark to Paper Mill County Park through White Clay Creek State Park.
• Auburn Heights Preserve – Complete shared use trails within the newly developing State Preserve to Hockessin.
• New Castle Industrial Track Trail – Complete the final trail segment with a bike/pedestrian bridge over the Christina River to the walkway at the Wilmington Riverfront.
• East Coast Greenway Trail – Frenchtown Road, US 13 to Ferry Cutoff, New Castle. Construct a patch on north side of Route 273, between Route 13 and Ferry Cutoff and additional segments.
• Lums Pond State Park – Upgrade and enhance existing trails; create a shared-use pathway along Buck Jersey Road (inside the park) from the Park entrance to Route 71.
• Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Trail – Construct a 9 mile trail from Delaware City to Lums Pond State Park.

Kent County Proposed Projects

• Dover to Clayton Rail Pathway – Connect the existing Scarborough Road shared-use pathway at Delaware Technical and Community College  in Dover with the town of Clayton along an existing rail right-of-way.
• Capital Bikeway – Extend the existing 0.7 mile bicycle/pedestrian pathway through Dover to the St. Jones River Trail. This project extends the existing 1.5 mile pathway that lies between Schutte Park and West Street.

• Isaac Branch Trail – Make improvements such as a installing a pedestrian bridge, widen sidewalks and upgrade traffic signals.
• St. Jones River Trail – Extend and complete connections. This work will be in partnership with Dover Air Force Base.
• Killens Pond State Park – Complete a trail gap along Killens Pond Road, linking the northern and southern Park sections.

Sussex County Proposed Projects

• Georgetown to Lewes to Cape Henlopen State Park – Construct a regional rail-to-trail project with an initial trail segment in Lewes.
• Junction and Breakwater Trail – Extend trail from Gills Neck Road toward Lewes and make trail upgrades along Gills Neck Road to Route 9.
• Cape Henlopen State Park – Extend the Gordons Pond Trail from the observation platform north to Herring Point.  This will link the northern and southern portions of Park.
• Assawoman Canal Trail – Design and construct approximately 1 mile of recreational trail along the Assawoman Canal in partnership with the towns of Ocean View, Bethany Beach and South Bethany Beach.
• Fred Hudson Road –Create a link between area business and fresh pond area of Delaware Seashore State Park
• Trap Pond State Parks – Complete the Loblolly Trail along Wootten Road filling a trail gap.

See maps of proposed trails and pathways in New Castle County, Kent County, Sussex County.

During his speech at the Bike Summit, DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt  added more specifics to the Governor’s announcement on Thursday and asked for input and participation from cycling advocates and other community leaders as the plan develops further.  Urging the state’s bicycling community to partner with his agency as well as DNREC in the effort, Bhatt said, “Starting today, let’s all get to work on the goal that Governor Markell has outlined. Let us agree that our legacy will be to make Delaware the most bike-friendly state in the country.”

Also during the Summit, DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara said, “Under Governor Markell’s leadership, Delaware has the potential to create a world class network of interconnected trails. By making strategic investments and adopting innovative public policies, we will connect our communities and make them truly bikeable and walkable.”

Bike Delaware Executive Director James Wilson noted that Governor Markell’s vision is also shared by Delaware’s legislators in both parties. “In May, the General Assembly unanimously declared that walking and bicycling are both cost-effective and healthy transportation options,” Wilson said. “Making those activities safer and more convenient will help families save money, improve public health, increase tourism, give a boost to economic development, reduce congestion, lower emissions, provide recreational opportunities and improve quality of life for Delawareans. What other transportation projects in Delaware have such an enormous and multifaceted return on public investment?”

Mark Chura, Executive Director of Delaware Greenways, noted that “today’s announcement by Governor Markell not only ties together and strengthens longstanding efforts to build a first class bicycle and pedestrian network throughout Delaware, but takes it to a whole new level.  Interconnecting our towns with their outlying suburbs and close to home recreational areas benefits us all and is a great investment in Delaware’s future.”  Chura went on to say, “We have some amazing places here in Delaware that, to most of us, are only accessible by car or not at all. The Governor’s initiative will change all that, while at the same time providing new options get out of doors and improve our health.”

The MOA signed today outlines the parameters by which the trails and pathways will be considered, including the creation of an inter-departmental team to develop and recommend a set of activities for Fiscal Year 2012 and the subsequent four fiscal years.   DelDOT and DNREC will consult with the Bicycle Council, the Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Council on Greenways and Trails with regard to the prioritization and propose a  list of projects to the Governor for consideration for funding.  Public workshops will be held with property owners, community groups and other affected stakeholders to seek input into the placement, cost and maintenance of the trail systems.   The proposed projects are supported by a $7 million appropriation from the FY 2012 Bond Bill , funding that will maximize the state’s ability to leverage federal and private dollars over time.

The Governor’s long term vision for bicycling, trails and pathways in Delaware includes:

• Build a world class interconnected pathway network
• Support creation of local jobs
• Link communities internally to support local sustainable economies, and externally to grow connections between neighborhoods, towns and cities
• Develop sustainable practices in the creation of the network, such as supporting native landscaping and natural habitats
• Support health communities by providing affordable, active transportation choices
• Re-establish Delaware in the Top Ten of Bicycle Friendly states  (we’re at #17 right now)
• And, develop strategies for the ongoing maintenance and upgrades of existing facilities

“My goal is to make Delaware walkable and bikeable, so more of us can enjoy the great Delaware outdoors,” said Governor Markell.  “We can create a network of bicycle and pedestrian trails by building on existing pathways and trails.  We create jobs and connect communities across the state and at the same time, expand recreational and transportation opportunities for Delawareans and visitors.”

For more details on the proposed trails, and for links to video of Sec. Bhatt’s speech, please visit www.deldot.gov

Visit www.destateparks.com/FirstStateTrails for a copy of the proposed “First State in Trails”  priority project list.

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The Delaware Bike Summit is an annual event designed to bring together bicycling advocates, community leaders and elected officials to hear from national speakers and to create strategies on how to make Delaware more bicycle friendly. Today’s event, held at the Virden Center in Lewes is the third summit. The event is organized by the Delaware Bicycle Council, and a committee made up of members from Wilmington Area Planning Council DelDOT, Bike Delaware, Dover/Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization, White Clay Bicycle Club and Sussex Cyclists.

LAUREL –  Among a group of outdoors and health organizations gathered for a “Sussex Outdoors” summit today at Trap Pond State Park, Governor Markell previewed his vision for a long term “Statewide Trails and Pathways” project for Delaware.  The Governor has charged the Delaware Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation with bringing the vision to life.  The proposed program would establish an interconnected network of pathways and trails throughout the state to support non-motorized travel and recreational trails that could be enjoyed by Delawareans and by visitors.

“I want to make it a priority to build a world-class interconnected trail network in Delaware.  As an avid cyclist, I know the enjoyment one can receive from being outside,” said Governor Markell.  “ These proposed projects will expand or begin trail networks, inside and outside of state parks in all three counties.   They will help us realize a truly walkable, bikeable Delaware that all Delawareans can use and enjoy.   Our commitment to invest in outdoor opportunities helps ensure the quality of life Delawareans deserve.  At the same time, we stimulate job growth through investment in infrastructure.”

The Governor’s goals for the proposed Statewide Trails and Pathways program are to:

• Build a world class interconnected pathway network
• Support creation of local jobs
• Link communities internally to support local sustainable economies, and externally to grow connections between neighborhoods, towns and cities
• Develop sustainable practices in the creation of the network, such as supporting native landscaping and natural habitats
• Support health communities by providing affordable, active transportation choices
• Re-establish Delaware in the Top Ten of Bicycle Friendly states  (we’re at #17 right now)
• And, develop strategies for the ongoing maintenance and upgrades of existing facilities.

DelDOT and DNREC have identified seventeen (17) proposed projects for discussion and possible construction over the next 2-3 years, covered  by an initial investment of $7 million earmarked for trails in the 2012 Bond Bill.   This funding will maximize the state’s ability to leverage federal and private dollars for these projects.

Today, the Governor previewed the plan, by identifying the four Sussex County projects are on the list:

• a proposed a rail-to-trail from Georgetown to Lewes to Cape Henlopen, with the first phase located in Lewes
• a proposed Junction and Breakwater Trail, to complete the missing links to Lewes and Rehoboth at the north and south ends of the trail
• a proposed complete recreational trail at Gordons Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park linking the northern and southern portions of the park
• a proposed partnership with Ocean View, Bethany and South Bethany to construct a recreational trail along the Assawoman Canal

A map of the proposed trails and pathway project areas in Sussex County can be found here.

Tomorrow, at the Delaware Bike Summit to be held at the University of Delaware’s Virden Center in Lewes, DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt and DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara will sign a Memorandum of Agreement outlining the responsibilities and activities of each agency to build our trails network, with financial stewardship of the program shared by both agencies.  They will also unveil the New Castle County and Kent County proposed trails and pathways projects to biking advocates, elected officials and community leaders who are discussing ways to make Delaware more bicycle friendly.

DNREC and DelDOT will also conduct a series of workshops on proposed trails so that property owners, community groups, and other interested citizens have an opportunity for input on the locations and types of trails to be constructed.   According to the latest State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan survey, conducted by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation, 91 percent of Delawareans consider outdoor recreation important to them personally.