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Sussex Cyclists to unveil plaque June 25

June 20, 2014

A ceremony to unveil a plaque dedicated to bicyclist, the late Larry Wonderlin, will recognize the former long-time Sussex County resident for his bicycle advocacy. The ceremony will be held Wednesday, June 25, at 1:30 p.m. at the Holland Glade trestle bridge on the Junction and Breakwater Trail.

Wonderlin was an active and devoted cyclist, earning medals in Delaware and National Senior Olympic competitive bike races. He, along with area cyclists Mike Tyler and Jim Ippolito, were instrumental in envisioning a trail between Lewes and Rehoboth along the former Penn Central rail line. That same group would later persuade the Delaware Division of Parks & Recreation that a trail along the former rail corridor was possible and urged that parks make the land acquisitions necessary to bring the trail to fruition.

In the 1974 Bikeway Study - a report to the General Assembly - potential connections between Lewes and Rehoboth had been recommended, including the former rail corridor and through Cape Henlopen State Park. The eagerly awaited Junction & Breakwater Trail was finally opened Dec. 4, 2003. As a continuation of the trail system, the Gordons Pond Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park opened June 18.

Wonderlin’s cycling advocacy in Coastal Sussex led to the founding of Sussex Cyclists in 2002. It is a bicycling organization whose members promote and sponsor rides in Coastal Sussex and who advocate safety for cyclists who ride in the resort area.

Wonderlin’s wife and family will attend the commemorative event. Sussex Cyclists invites all cyclists and friends to participate in the event.

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