The Planning, Preservation and Development Section administers land acquisition and protection programs, including the Open Space Program, the Office of Nature Preserves and the Cultural Resource Unit.

The section coordinates the planning, designing and constructing of new facilities within Delaware State Parks as well as the stewardship of our cultural resources. The section administers Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program grants program and is responsible for the state’s Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

Updating the Outdoor Recreation Plan

The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is preparing to update Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Delaware’s SCORP has evolved over the past 50 years through regular five-year updates. Updating the plan will keep Delaware eligible for funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

Planning Projects

Outdoor Recreation Resources

Investment in Parks and Recreation is Necessary for Children’s Health

Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NHPS) released a policy brief: Investment in Parks and Recreation is Necessary for Children’s Health.

Made possible through a collaboration with Delaware State Parks and the Delaware Recreation and Parks Society, the brief identifies the benefits and importance of outdoor recreation and outlines action steps for community members and policy makers to support parks and recreation facilities.

Nemours Health and Prevention Services is a division of Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems.  The goal of NHPS is to drive long-term improvements in policies and practices that promote child health, and leverage community strengths and resources to help children grow up healthy. One area of emphasis is the prevention of childhood obesity through the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

How Much Value Does the City of Wilmington Receive from Its Park and Recreation System?

Through a partnership with the Delaware Center for Horticulture, the City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation, the Wilmington Rotary and Nemours Health and Prevention Services, this study was conducted by the Trust For Public Land-Center for City Park Excellence, and is expected to become an important planning tool for park improvements in Wilmington.

The report is based on techniques that have been used in other U.S. cities to measure the environmental, recreational, public health, property value, tourism, and social benefits of parks, and estimates the total park value to be nearly $60 million.  Although specific to Wilmington, the report reinforces the importance for close-to-home recreation and local park and recreation areas.

Related Topics:  natural areas, nature preserves, open space, outdoors and recreation, parks, planning, recreation, scorp, trails, zoo