BETHEL — The Sussex County Land Trust in late November hosted the groundbreaking and commencement of trailhead and waterfront improvements for Nanticoke Crossing Park, a 41-acre property located off Woodland Ferry Road overlooking the Nanticoke River adjacent to the historic Woodland Ferry terminal.

State of Delaware and Sussex County officials joined land trust board members at the event.

Once home to a manufactured home community, the SCLT and its partners acquired and repurposed the property for preservation and future public recreation.

The opportunity to protect the site was presented to the land trust in 2021 by the Chesapeake Conservancy, a non-profit with the mission of conserving and restoring Chesapeake landscapes and connecting people to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

“This park is a prime example of a small parcel with a big impact for our planet,” said Chesapeake Conservancy President & CEO Joel Dunn stated. “While providing much-needed local recreational opportunities and public access to the Nanticoke River, permanent conservation of this wildlife habitat plays a much larger role.”

“To protect biodiversity, the world’s leading scientists have called for the protection of 30% of the Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. Conservation partners are striving toward the ambitious target of protecting half of the Delmarva peninsula by 2050. This can be accomplished one parcel at a time through local opportunities like Nanticoke Crossing Park,” Mr. Dunn said.

After identifying the property as an ideal property for preservation and recreation, the land trust secured several other key partners for the acquisition and future development of the property, including Sussex County Council through its Land Conservation Program, Mt. Cuba Center, U.S. Navy (Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program), Delaware Open Space Program, and Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Funding for the project was made possible by a $90,000 appropriation from the State’s Community Reinvestment Fund. The funding will be utilized for recreational and habitat improvements, including the design and construction of a new kayak launch and enhanced fishing and trail opportunities.

State Rep. Danny Short (R-Seaford) was instrumental in securing funding.

“I was delighted to work with our State legislators in Sussex County to underwrite these first phase improvements to Nanticoke Crossing Park,” Rep. Short said. “This work will begin to unlock the enormous potential of this beautiful waterfront asset for hiking, birding and kayak access. In the years ahead, this open space will become a destination for our community to enjoy.”

“I am thrilled to see this project move from a simple concept into the reality that it is today,” said Sussex County Council President Michael H. Vincent, whose district includes the property. “This project is in a location that will give the people of Western Sussex, and all of Sussex County for that matter, another area for public use. This setting, with the tall stand of trees set along the banks of the Nanticoke, is a perfect place for people to recreate, maybe find some quiet connection with nature, and behold the beauty that has been a defining trait along this rich and vital waterway for centuries.”

During the event, SCLT members shared a conceptual masterplan of the property and a phasing plan for construction. Future amenities include future perimeter walking trails, a frisbee golf course, a parking area, picnic and pavilion areas and ultimately a kayak and canoe launch on the Nanticoke River.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are extremely proud to see our vision for this property come to fruition,” said Ring Lardner, Chairman of the Sussex County Land Trust. “This property has incredible natural features, and to protect this property from development and repurpose the property into a public amenity is a primary example of the Trust’s mission. We also could not have led this initiative without our key partners, the Chesapeake Conservancy, Sussex County Council, Mt. Cuba, the U.S. Navy, Delaware Open Space Council and Delaware Fish and Wildlife.”