Attention campers, disc golfing enthusiasts, hunters, concert-goers and everyone who loves the great outdoors: 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 Monday, Aug. 20 from 4-7 pm, at Deerfield Golf Club, 507 Thompson Station Road, Newark, DE 19711.
In May, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced that the Division of Parks & Recreation was beginning the process of creating a master plan for the future of White Clay Creek, a critical element in that process being open house discussions hosted by the agency throughout the summer.
The August 20 session 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.
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.
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.
