New
Beach Season Brings New Challenges
Memorial
Day Weekend has always seemed somewhat of a mixed blessing.
Like most people, I look forward to this unofficial start of the
summer season, with its promise of sun and fun at the beach. But as a
Delaware State Parks employee, I know the holiday will arrive faster
than we would like. Despite the best efforts of our staff to get the
parks in tip-top shape, there always seems to be some project that
doesn’t quite get done on time. Invariably, the week leading up to the
holiday is stressful and chaotic. This year was no exception.
Actually,
the week started on a positive note. On Monday, Steve Elkins and Fay
Jacobs from Camp Rehoboth conducted a session on sensitivity to gay
issues for 35 of the Division’s seasonal and fulltime enforcement
staff that was well received by everyone involved. It was considered so
successful that the Division hopes to provide similar training for other
staff in the future.
The
week also brought a number of serious concerns for the Division. Would
repair work at the popular WaterPark at Killens Pond near Dover be
completed in time for the much-anticipated Memorial Day Weekend opening?
Would lifeguard shortages and water quality problems mean the end of
swimming at Lums Pond in New Castle County? Would the Gordons Pond
parking lot be repaved and ready for use? Alone, any of these issues
would be a problem. Together…well let’s just say it amounted to
major S…T…R…E…S…S!
To
make matters worse, things were also a bit crazy on the homefront. My
partner Bob and I were supposed to go to settlement on a rental
property, with renters already lined up who desperately needed to get
moved into the house. Setbacks earlier in the month had already delayed
the closing several weeks. You can imagine our immense frustration when
settlement was postponed yet again. This was obviously not going to be
my week!
Everything
did eventually fall into place. Settlement occurred just two days late
and the renters moved in the next morning. While swimming at Lums Pond
was discontinued, the WaterPark was going to be ready and the Gordons
Pond parking lot, while not 100 percent finished, could at least be
opened for the holiday weekend.
After
such a roller coaster of a week, I decided to take Friday off and get an
early start on resting, relaxing and de-stressing. The weather was
glorious, so Bob and I headed for Poodle Beach. Loaded down with chairs
and assorted gear, we found the perfect spot near the water and staked
out our territory. This was it…the moment of peace I had prayed for! I
plopped down in my chair and closed my eyes, determined to let my cares
fade away. Instead, I was greeted by a frustrated voice from a nearby
blanket: “Can you believe it? I paid my $20 for an annual state park
pass and Gordons Pond is not opening until tomorrow! It’s not fair!”
In frustration, I looked over at Bob. He was very amused by the whole
thing. This was definitely not my week!
As
it turned out, it was an incredible holiday weekend. Sunny skies and
warm temperatures brought near record crowds to the resort area. Beaches
were packed with people anxious to start their summer tans. While the
reconstruction of the Gordons Pond parking lot was not yet completed,
enough work was done to make the area safe to allow visitors access.
And, after months of anticipation, they turned out in droves. On Sunday,
Gordons Pond filled by late morning and at one point there was a
mile-long line of cars waiting to get in.
On
the beach, the crowd split into the normal groups north and south of the
jetty. It soon became apparent that everyone was ready to “let
loose.” While no serious problems developed, rangers did report an
unusual number of violations, including dogs off the leash, both dogs
and alcohol in the designated swimming area, indecent exposure and, in
several instances, some less than cooperative visitors.
This
certainly tested the ranger’s recently acquired sensitivity skills.
The ranger resolved the problems calmly and professionally. It’s
unfortunate that the behavior of a small number of difficult beachgoers
undermined what we have been so diligently working toward-understanding
and mutual respect. One of the points I have been trying to make in all
my columns is that respect is something earned. You have to give respect
in order to receive it.
Blatant
disregard of rules and regulations or being uncooperative with
enforcement staff are definitely not behaviors that earn respect.
As
a reminder, here are a few rules and regulations that directly apply at
the Gordons Pond beach:
•
Alcohol is prohibited on designated swimming beaches, which is the area
located between the two jetties at Gordons Pond.
•
Pets are prohibited on the designated swimming beach from May 1 through
Sept. 30. Pets are permitted on the beach located beyond the northern
jetty.
•
Pets are required to be on a leash at all times…no exceptions! This
means you are not permitted to take your dog off the leash when you
allow it in the surf. Also,
note the leash is not to exceed 6 feet in length.
•
Owners are responsible to clean up after their pets.
•
Indecent exposure is prohibited. According to the Delaware Code, a male
is guilty of indecent exposure if he exposes his genitals or buttocks
under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause
affront or alarm to another person and a female is guilty of indecent
exposure if she exposes her genitals, breast or buttocks under
circumstances in which she knows her conduct is likely to cause affront
or alarm to another person. It should be noted there are no “clothing
optional” beaches in Delaware. Certainly, this type of behavior is not
permitted in our state parks that serve individuals and families of all
ages.
•
Glass bottles are prohibited on all park beaches.
•
Sand dunes are protected by law. Crossing them is permitted only at
designated walkways.
These
rules and regulations are in place to protect the natural resources as
well as for the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors. Park
enforcement staff will be on patrol to ensure compliance. Individuals
who persist in violating the rules may be ticketed or asked to leave the
park. With everyone’s cooperation, this summer can be a wonderful
experience for visitors and staff alike!
For
information about Delaware State Parks and a complete listing of rules
and regulations, visit our website at www.destateparks.com. Please feel
free to e-mail me at sschilly@state.de.us. I enjoy hearing from you.
Gordons
Pond Parking Lot…Construction Update
Following
the holiday weekend, the Division received numerous calls and comments
about the
renovation of the Gordons Pond parking lot. It was clear many people did
not understand the project and its schedule. Maybe some background will
alleviate some of the frustration.
As
everyone knows, the 30-year-old parking lot was in terrible shape and
continuing to deteriorate. The growing popularity of the area only added
to the rapid failure of the pavement. Recognizing the problem, the
Division of Parks and Recreation initiated plans for a phased upgrade of
the area. Although funds were difficult to secure, the Division made a
commitment to the project with a proposed budget of $650,000. Final
designs were prepared and the project went out to bid in the spring. The
initial project was to renovate the entrance road and parking area,
including the addition of stormwater retention basins. While not
included in the original 30-year-old parking lot, these basins were now
required by law.
Because
the lot is surrounded by wetlands, it was impossible for the Division to
recapture lost parking spaces by expanding beyond the lot’s original
“footprint.”
The
project was “fast tracked” in order to get the work completed for
the summer season.
With
considerable effort, the Division was able to award the project under a
pre-existing contract for Route 1 construction and the job began in
March with a target completion date of Memorial Day weekend.
Unfortunately, we didn’t quite make it. While the good news is that we
were able to open the lot for the holiday weekend, the bad news is that
after Memorial Day the area had to be closed for a few more weekdays to
allow for completion of the project.
As
a beachgoer, I can understand the frustration that the lot wasn’t
ready in time to kick off the summer season. However, as state parks
operations administrator, I can tell you that in these days of tight
budgets we are fortunate to have this project at all. In the best of
years, there are limited resources to accomplish undertakings of this
size and scope and this one was initiated at a time when the Division
had actually lost its entire rehab budget! Despite that, the Division
recognized the importance of the project and has made every effort to
get the job accomplished in a timely and appropriate manner. The end
result will be a first class facility that will hopefully serve all park
visitors for years to come!
Stephen Schilly is Park
Operations Administrator Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. He
may be reached at sschilly@state.de.us.
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