LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Out and About in Delaware's State Parks |
by Stephen Schilly |
Summer Fun It is hard to believe it is August already! Where has the summer gone? It feels like the season has just begun, yet Labor Day will be here in just a few weeks. I'm sure the wet weather through most of June is the reason summer seems so short this year. I can't remember any year where the summer season got such a late start. Thank goodness the sun finally arrived to salvage the majority of the season! Crowded beaches have been a testament to the fact that visitors have been trying to make up for lost time. On recent weekends, our beach parks have regularly hit capacity by late morning. Sunny skies, clean beaches, great surf...this is what summer is all about! Of course, you actually have to make it to the beach to enjoy these things. Here it is August and my partner, Bob, and I have only made it to the beach once this summer! Between the bad weather in June and a hectic schedule in July that included the opening of Bob's art show at Cloud 9 Restaurant, we simply haven't had time to hit the beach. How can we live in Rehoboth and not make it to the beach? It's incomprehensible to me! We plan to remedy the situation by taking a short vacation this week. Only thing is, we are going to Fort Lauderdale! I never would have believed my beach memories for 2003 would be from Florida instead of Delaware...go figure!!! Busy, Busy, Busy Normally, summer is a hectic time around the Division of Parks and Recreation. With the parks at their busiest, our staff are kept on their toes in an effort to meet the needs of millions of visitors. This year has been especially challenging. The slow economy has resulted in tight budgets and limited staff. As a result, all our employees are being challenged to do more with less. Their hard work and dedication have helped the Division to continue to provide quality service to park visitors. However, at this point in the summer everyone is a bit worn out. This summer has had more than its share of "big" projects demanding immediate attention in the resort area. At Delaware Seashore State Park, the Division has begun the first phase of redevelopment at the Indian River Marina. This multi-million dollar project has required the direct attention of many of our top staff to ensure its success. After many years of planning, we are very excited to see this project underway. Among the improvements will be the construction of 12 rental cottages along the Indian River Inlet. The goal of this project is to ensure the marina will be "state of the art" and in a position to meet the needs of the boating community well into the future. Another "big" project under construction is the Junction and Breakwater Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park. This project has been in planning for more than a decade. Located on the west side of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, the trail will one day connect both resort communities. The first phase of construction focuses on the trail between Holland-Glade Road and Wolfe Neck Road and should be completed by October 2003. Plans are already in place to move ahead to join this first section of trail to Hebron Road in West Rehoboth. If all goes according to plan, this connection will be done as part of the current project. The final connection to Lewes is yet to be determined. The Division is currently studying several options to make this happen. After long years of waiting, it appears the end may finally be in sight. This is good news for everyone who lives or vacations in the resort area. Summer 2003 Lifeguards at Gordon's Pond, Cape Henlopen State Park Safety First As summer winds down, it is never too late to be reminded of a few beach safety tips: Always swim in supervised areas. Never swim alone...use the buddy system. Check with lifeguards on surf conditions before swimming. Never overestimate your swimming ability, especially in cold water. Judge your ability to participate in beach activities based on your swimming skills alone, not with the assistance of rafts or other flotation devices. Never dive into shallow or unknown waters. Never swim while intoxicated. Alcohol impairs judgment and unnecessary risks are taken. If caught in a rip current, relax and swim toward shore at a 45-degree angle until you are free of the current. If the current is too strong, swim parallel with the shoreline in the same direction as the lateral current is flowing, then swim diagonally toward the shore. If you are not able to swim out of the rip currents, call or wave for help. When body surfing, do not ride waves in a straight line toward the shore. Instead, surf at an angle to the waves. Avoid white water in the wave center to avoid going "over the falls." Follow the directions of the lifeguards. They are there for your health and safety! Check out the state parks website at www.destateparks.com. for information, suggestions and directions. Stephen Schilly is Park Operations Administrator Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. He may be reached at sschilly@state.de.us. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13 No. 11 August 8, 2003. |