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New trail dedicated at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center

March 29, 2018

Students, families and adults living in the Milford area now have a new outdoor recreational opportunity with the official opening of a new trail at Delaware Nature Society’s Abbott's Mill Nature Center.

The new Wilson/Donovan Trail joins a network of more than five miles of free, pet-friendly trails open every day from dawn to dusk that explore the area around the historic grist mill. Surrounding both Abbott’s Pond and Blair’s Pond, these trails wind through upland forests, restored native meadows, and Atlantic white cedar swamps, protecting the headwaters of the Mispillion River.

The Wilson Family recently granted access through property they own adjacent to Abbott's Mill to facilitate the new trail, and Rep. Dave Wilson, R- Bridgeville, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 3.

"I had four sisters, and three of them were educators," said Wilson. "Gladys, Mrs. Donovan, who owned this tract, was always appreciative of anything anyone did with kids in the outdoors. The family discussed what to do with the farm when Gladys and her husband passed. We decided to put it into the Farmland Preservation Program because we didn't want to see it developed."

Wilson said he plans to work with other members of his family to provide a permanent conservation easement on the property to ensure public access to the trail in perpetuity.

Delaware Nature Society has managed and operated Abbott's Mill Nature Center in partnership with Delaware’s Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs and Division of Fish & Wildlife since 1981. Delaware Nature Society connects people with the natural world to improve the environment through education, conservation, and advocacy. Located four miles southwest of Milford, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center encompasses more than 500 acres of preserved lands throughout Sussex County, and serves more than 14,000 students, families and adults through environmental education programs, eco-tours and community events.

For more information, go to www.delnature.org

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