Fourth Street Preserve concept plan unveiled in Lewes

Lewes has unveiled a concept plan for the Fourth Street Preserve, the 30-acre parcel the city plans to buy and save as open space.

The Greater Lewes Foundation is leading a campaign to raise $8 million to purchase the land, which is the last forest within city limits. The preserve was the first deeded land in Delaware in 1670.

Mike Rawl, GLF executive director, said the concept plan was required for several outstanding federal grants. Rodney Robinson, an experienced landscape architect, volunteered to create the plan. He showed it to mayor and city council for the first time at a May 22 public workshop.

“Our goal is to ensure a diverse and indigenous park in city limits and preserve it for future generations,” Robinson said.

The plan shows a network of walking trails, which Robinson said would not be paved. It also shows woodlands, wildlife habitat islands, pollinator plants, constructed wetlands and open space.

“This is not a conventional city park. It’s not a park where you mow the grass,” Robinson said.

Robinson said several studies have been completed, including a property and topographic survey, a phase one environmental assessment and a wetlands delineation study. Robinson said there are no regulated wetlands on the site.

He said master naturalists have conducted three bio blitzes to identify native plant species.

The Sussex Bird Club has conducted a survey and recognized the preserve as an important stop on the migration route.

Rawl said Robinson’s work could potentially save the city $100,000 and accelerate the project by about a year.

He said GFL has raised $6.4 million of the $8 million needed to buy the preserve. The deadline is Sept. 15. Rawl said they have $2.75 million in outstanding grants.

He said they will continue to raise money even after the city takes ownership to help defray future maintenance costs.

Rawl said the agreement with the Rollins family is that no structures will be built on the preserve, including restrooms and parking. 

The plan calls for benches and educational kiosks.

Robinson said the plan he unveiled is a concept and not a final design.

The plan will next go before the city’s parks and recreation commission.

“Our purpose is to create a native forest, which will take place over many years beyond this establishment, basically a central park for the City of Lewes,” Rawl said.