An expansion of 275 acres to White Clay Creek State Park in Newark was announced on Monday.
The expansion of the nearly 3,650-acre park marks a major investment to enhance recreational opportunities, bolster wildlife habitats, and preserve additional open space in norther New Castle County.
With this addition to Delaware State Parks, DNREC has acquired more than 45,000 acres through the Open Space Program with a combination of state, federal, and partner funds.
“As our state’s population continues to grow, we have to make sure that we have first-class recreational opportunities for our residents to enjoy, as well as our visitors. This acquisition allows us to provide those experiences and preserve Delaware’s open spaces,” said Gov. Carney. “It represents the largest investment and private partner contributions to a DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation project in the Open Space Program’s history. And it honors the oath that elected officials take to ‘respect the right of future generations to share the rich historic and natural heritage of Delaware.’”
The Fiscal Year 2023 budget included an increased budget of $20 million for the Delaware Open Space Program. This allowed the Open Space Program to acquire three key land parcels. These parcels included the last major privately owned tract within the park.
“This expansion of White Clay Creek State Park is part of DNREC’s commitment to preserving and conserving Delaware’s natural resources for current and future generations,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “I would like to thank all of the partners who are helping to make this expansion possible, including Mt. Cuba Center and The Conservation Fund, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America program, and with special thanks to the du Pont family.”
In a tribute to conservationist William K. du Pont, Sabrina du Pont-Langenegger and her husband Conrad Langenegger made a $1.3 million endowment through the Delaware Community Foundation to support Delaware State Parks.
The acquisition of the parcels is progressing in three phases:
- Phase 1 – about 90 acres – Acquisition completed in September 2023.
- Phase 2 – about 97 acres – Acquisition anticipated in early 2024.
- Phase 3 – about 88 acres – Acquisition anticipated in later 2024.
The $26 million project was made possible with $19.5 million from the Delaware Open Space Program and $6 million secured from Mt. Cuba Center through The Conservation Fund. The project was also awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America program. This is the first time Acres for America has funded a project in Delaware and one of only ten competitive grants awarded nationwide.
The expansion project aligns with the White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan, which emphasizes keeping the park natural and maximizing its 37-mile trail system.
“These acquisitions will add much-needed open space in one of the fastest growing areas in our region,” said Blaine Phillips, senior vice president at The Conservation Fund. “It is a testament to Delaware’s long tradition of building partnerships to achieve major conservation outcomes. With significant contributions from the Delaware Open Space Program, Mt. Cuba Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America program, and the du Pont-Langenegger family, the pieces all came together to create a huge benefit for the public to use and enjoy for generations to come.”
The expansion of White Clay Creek State Park is also part of the National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Created in 1990 by the Delaware Land Protection Act and guided by the Delaware Open Space Council, the Open Space Program is shared between DNREC’s divisions of Parks and Recreation and Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Agriculture’s Delaware Forest Service, and the Department of State’s Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Further information is available at de.gov/openspace.
