Share: 

There are alternatives to RV park

March 21, 2014

As you drive north on Route 1 past Dover, you enter the “Land of duPont,” as I call it. Northern Delaware is so lucky to have enjoyed the largesse of the duPont family with the museums, gardens, galleries, etc. What a legacy this family has provided to the residents of the area.

It would seem that the families of Townsend and Lingo might be willing to consider some ideas for southern Delaware, specifically the Lewes/Rehoboth area. Instead of using land for another RV park, wouldn’t it be nice to have a facility to use during the fall to early spring months when the beach is too cold to enjoy.

It seems from an informal observation of traffic in the area, there are more residents who are choosing to stay here during the winter months. But, other than charity balls, restaurant special nights, playing Trivial Pursuit at a bar/pub, and catching a movie, there doesn’t seem to be a thriving business which would keep residents interested in and active during the winter months.

Some ideas of establishments come to mind which could remain open throughout the year and provide a much needed outlet during the winter months. If you know the Washington, D.C. area, you’ve heard of the Torpedo Factory. Artists pay for studio space within the factory and tourists/customers can browse or purchase the art pieces being made within each studio. On the weekends, the Torpedo Factory’s central area is transformed into an entertainment area for balls and wedding receptions.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a visual and performing arts center on the land proposed for the RV park? Busloads of children and art students could visit the studios as part of an art class or have performances in the atrium. If the center were surrounded by a walking path with little waystations, painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists could take advantage of the beauty of the land and creek nearby.

If that doesn’t appeal, wouldn’t it be nice to have an indoor/outdoor pool available throughout the year. The schools could use it for swim team practice and people of all ages could enjoy the benefits of swimming or exercising in a pool, year round. Could you build an indoor sports complex where basketball and baseball could be played or practiced all year long? How about an indoor playground for children of all abilities with the floor being a rubberized material which is wheelchair friendly and/or prevents children from being seriously hurt if they fall.

There is an outdoor playground in McLean, Va. called Clemyjontri which was designed for special needs children but all children enjoy it (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/clemyjontri/). The Lewes/Rehoboth area could use an indoor playground since the sun “bakes” the equipment during the summer months and is inaccessible during rainy weather. All parents and grandparents would appreciate a place where they could take their little ones to play no matter what the time of year or weather was.

Well, those are just some thoughts to ponder. Plenty of houses are being built and will continue to be built. Let’s shift our thinking a little from enjoying the beach and making this area one that can be enjoyed all year long. Instead of another RV park, could the developers come up with other ideas to keep residents thrilled to be living here all year long and add to the many advantages of living in this area?

Susan Boyle
Lewes

  • A letter to the editor expresses a reader's opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.

    To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to newsroom@capegazette.com. Letters must be signed and include a telephone number and address for verification. Please keep letters to 500 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content and length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days. Letters restating information and opinions already offered by the same author will not be used. Letters must focus on issues of general, local concern, not personalities or specific businesses.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter