OK, here is one more comment from the peanut gallery regarding the notion of a full-service restaurant in Cape Henlopen State Park. Bad idea. Not worth the environmental impact just so folks can have a nice meal near the ocean. But let me offer an alternative.
How about simply inviting area food trucks to the park during the season? Weekdays, maybe one or two; on weekends, three or four. There are a couple of locations in the park where they could set up. The first that comes to mind is by the Hawk Watch north of the bathhouse. The open-air pavilion there, with its picnic tables, would certainly make a nice spot to chow down (near the water and out of the sun). Another possibility is up by Fort Miles. Plenty of room for the trucks to park and one of the old barracks could be opened up for dining under cover.
This simple plan has a number of advantages. No capital investment. No major environmental impact. Supports local small business. Scalable as crowds ebb and flow. An ever-changing variety of food offerings. Could be implemented for the 2023 summer season. What’s not to like?
I hope the powers-that-be will give this idea some thought.