The Gordons Pond Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park. (Courtesy of DNREC)

Del. State Parks set attendance record: 8 million-plus

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Delaware State Parks set another attendance record in 2022, with more than 8 million visitors. Attendance at the 17 Delaware state parks has increased each year since 2015. In the past five years, visitation is up 37%. The most visited state park in 2022 was Cape Henlopen, with 1.9 million visitors. Alapocas Run, Auburn Valley, Brandywine Zoo, Fort Delaware and Killens …

DE State Parks

Delaware State Parks on track to set visitation record

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

After breaking attendance records in 2021, Delaware State Parks is on pace to set another visitor attendance mark by the end of 2022, DNREC announced Friday. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation had 47,250 active annual passes that allow daily entry into Delaware State Parks compared with 61,744 in 2021, a 31% increase. …

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State park fee season begins March 1

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Delaware State Parks When does winter end? Google says March 20. Punxatawney Phil says March 16. DNREC says March 1. That’s the day Delaware State Parks will transition from the winter free-season to the summer fee-season. The fee season will remain in effect until Nov. 30, 2022. State park entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $4 at inland …

DNREC Closed 1

DNREC to close facilities, reduce hours due to omicron variant

Charles MegginsonCulture, Government, Headlines

Several activities and facilities will be closed or operate under reduced hours throughout January due to the COVID-19 omicron variant. (Pixabay/LifeOfPix) Citing a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the highly contagious omicron variant, DNREC has announced that it will close or reduce hours for several public activities and facilities. While state parks, nature and wildlife areas continue to be …

Surf Tags 7

Delaware State Parks annual pass, surf fishing permit sales delayed

Charles MegginsonCulture, Government, Headlines

Delaware drive-on beach surf fishing tags will not go on sale until at least early 2022, DNREC says. The sale of 2022 Delaware State Parks annual passes and surf fishing permits will be delayed as a result of ongoing nationwide supply chain disruptions. DNREC officials anticipate delivery of the tags in early 2022 and will begin sales online, in state …

a close up of a pond

Delaware state parks receive national award for excellence

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Trap Pond State Park. Photo courtesy of DNREC. Delaware’s state parks have won a national award for excellence in park and recreation management. The recognition from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and National Recreation and Park Association is judged on long-range planning, resource management, innovation and fiscal responsibility. This marks the second time Delaware’s state parks received …