Bond Bill funds needed to improve Cape Henlopen State Park water system
Last year, a significant leak in February resulted in Cape Henlopen Park using 4,550,000 more gallons of water than usual. The extra water due to the leak comes as an expense to the park and therefore to the state. Money meant for Delaware’s parks is literally wasting away without an adequate fix. Despite water pressure testing and hiring a consulting firm, the source was found in an area where water pipes were unknown to exist.
A hiker happened by an area of wet leaves and reported it. The area was cleared and the source of the leak was discovered. The stopgap repair cost about $150,000. Future water emergencies, especially during the summer months, could necessitate closing the Biden Center, the Nature Center, Fort Miles, the bathhouses, restrooms and campgrounds for prolonged periods. This could ruin the public’s vacation plans at the state’s most-visited park and be costly for the entire park system.
I’m Barry Denenberg, a retired physician living in Lewes. I now serve as president of Preserve Our Park, a citizen group dedicated to preserving Cape Henlopen State Park and to support programs that conserve natural and historical resources, advance outdoor recreation and promote nature education.
On April 28, I will drive to Dover to request $400,000 in Bond Bill funds to address Cape Henlopen State Park’s aging water distribution system. This 80-year-old system, composed of asbestos, cast-iron and concrete pipes, is in urgent need of assessment. The requested funds will be used for planning and design, setting the stage for construction to ensure the park’s infrastructure meets future demands. The central issue is whether the current system can be rehabilitated or if a new one is necessary.
POP’s request for $400,000 to begin planning for Cape Henlopen State Park’s improved water infrastructure is critical for the ongoing function of the park with its millions of yearly visitors. It is time to stop these stopgap measures and provide Bond Bill funding for a thorough study and a complete plan for a modern water structure at Cape Henlopen State Park!
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