New Castle County is planning major upgrades to Bechtel Park. Ken Mammarella photo

New zoning district proposed just for parks in NCCo

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

Four members of New Castle County Council are sponsoring an ordinance to create a new zoning district for land in parks – a plan that  the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has “significant concerns” about. “This new P zoning district created by ordinance 24-130 would only apply to preserved parcels owned in fee simple by the county, …

The new My-NCC app guides users through several pages to report concerns about New Castle County parks.

New NCCo app lets users report problems at parks

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Government

Users of New Castle County’s 250 or so parks now have a free app for reporting non-emergency maintenance concerns about them. “Just snap a photo and submit it using the app,” the county writes on the introductory page for the My-NCC app. “Requests are automatically added to our work order system, allowing our teams to respond quickly and efficiently,” the …

Hiking along the Brandywine. (State of Delaware)

Del. ranks 8th among states for outdoor exercise

Ken MammarellaHealth, Headlines

Delaware is No. 8 on a new list of best states for outdoor exercise, a fitness website has concluded. Total Shape measured 16 factors: national parks; weather; coastline; parks; temperature; boats and water sports facilities; beaches; sports camps and clinics; kayaking and canoeing attractions; ski and snowboarding facilities; surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing facilities; outdoor activities; hiking trails; biking trails; golf …

DNREC to close facilities, reduce hours due to omicron variant

Charlie MegginsonCulture, Government, Headlines

Several activities and facilities will be closed or operate under reduced hours throughout January due to the COVID-19 omicron variant. (Pixabay/LifeOfPix) Citing a surge in coronavirus cases driven by the highly contagious omicron variant, DNREC has announced that it will close or reduce hours for several public activities and facilities. While state parks, nature and wildlife areas continue to be …

Delaware state parks receive national award for excellence

Charlie MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Trap Pond State Park. Photo courtesy of DNREC. Delaware’s state parks have won a national award for excellence in park and recreation management. The recognition from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and National Recreation and Park Association is judged on long-range planning, resource management, innovation and fiscal responsibility. This marks the second time Delaware’s state parks received …