State recreation council OKs Deauville Beach fee schedule
A proposed fee schedule for Deauville Beach in Rehoboth Beach is headed to Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn Garvin’s desk following the unanimous approval of the schedule by the Parks and Recreation Council May 2.
Deauville Beach will be operated by DNREC this summer for the first time in 50 years. A lease between DNREC and the City of Rehoboth Beach for the 21.56-acre property expired in June 2023. The lease had been extended a number of times over the years; however, an agreement couldn’t be reached this time around.
In February, DNREC announced it would take operational control of the land, which includes 600 yards of beach, a parking lot with 170 spots and tennis/pickleball courts. It presented a fee proposal during an information session in late March.
At the time, Greg Abbott, Delaware State Parks section administrator, said it would cost $170,000 annually, with a one-time start-up cost of $50,000, to operate the beach area. He proposed a cost of $15 per day per car for a weekday, $20 per day for a weekend day and $115 for a non-transferable seasonal pass that’s only valid at Deauville Beach. Additionally, a $25 discount is proposed for state park annual, lifetime and surf-fishing permit holders.
During the council meeting, Abbott said the goal is to be revenue neutral, and it would take about 500 annual permits to meet that goal. Next year, he said, the annual passes will be sold beginning in November with the rest of the state park passes.
Abbott said when the passes become available for sale, they may be purchased at Deauville Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park, Indian River Life-Saving Station and online.
Shauna McVey, DNREC spokesperson, said Garvin is expected to have a swift response to the recommendations to ensure the fees for Deauville Beach are established and in place for Memorial Day weekend. DNREC wants to begin selling Deauville Beach annual passes as soon as feasible to reduce the demand for Memorial Day weekend, she said.
