Lewes group debates new beach parking lot

A committee charged with analyzing parking issues on Lewes Beach focused its efforts July 30 on possible expansion of public parking lots at the end of Savannah Road and on Cape Henlopen Drive.

It is just one of several topics the committee will consider as it works to find solutions.

By relocating the natural dune that sits between the back end of the main beach parking lot and Cape Henlopen Drive, the city estimates it could add nearly 100 parking spaces.

Deputy Mayor Fred Beaufait said additional parking with access to the bathroom and shower facilities may reduce traffic on residential streets from Savannah Road to Roosevelt Inlet. He estimates a lot could add 150 to 300 more people to the beach. 

City officials have met with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control about the idea; the city would be permitted to relocate the dune to add parking. 

City Manager Ann Marie Townshend warned the committee that additional parking would increase the use of already highly used facilities. She is also concerned about removing the dune.

“I do think the optics of removing dune to increase parking can generate some negative feelings,” she said. “I also have some concern about adding large amounts of impervious cover in an area where we’re already dealing with flood and drainage issues.” 

If the city were to move ahead, Beaufait said he envisions the lot being crushed stone, a pervious surface that could better handle flooding than a paved parking lot. 

Committee members agreed parking is a seasonal issue and the parking lots are full only six to eight weekends a year. The main beach parking lot at the end of Savannah Road has 237 parking spaces and four spaces for motorcycles. The secondary beach lot on Cape Henlopen Drive holds 132 vehicles and five motorcycles. 

Committee member Linda Rathmanner pointed to development just outside the city as a reason why the city should give serious consideration to expanding the lot.

“We have people coming in from Minos Conaway Road and the other side of Route 1,” she said. “This is something that needs to be taken seriously now because in a couple of years it’s only going to get much worse.”

The committee formed a small working group to look into the pros and cons of expanding the lot. 

Pilot Point resident Ted Hickey said the other Delaware beach communities are not adding parking, but are instead trying to find alternative ways to get people in and out of their towns. He suggested the city talk with DART about an express bus from the park and ride near Five Points or consider partnership with Delaware River and Bay Authority to use the Cape May-Lewes Ferry parking lot. He also recommended they consider using the Cape Henlopen High School parking lot and offering a shuttle. 

“What is the advantage to the residents of Lewes to increase parking?” he asked. “I don’t know what the value is to us as citizens. I think it’s misguided, and it’s a knee-jerk reaction. There are certainly a lot of other solutions to parking.” 

Beach resident Linda Blumner agreed a new parking lot is not the answer.

“There are times when I cannot leave my property because the outflow from the beach is so bumper to bumper,” she said. “When do we reach the tipping point for the flow of people coming to Lewes? It’s an attractive place – it’s a gem – but at some point it will be so gridlocked.” 

Jim Bastian, a longtime beach resident, was in favor of the parking lot because it offers facilities for people who travel to use Lewes’ beach. 

“I think you’d be smart to utilize that land,” he said. “If you drive two hours down from Wilmington, you want a bathroom. There’s no bathroom [on the residential streets] so they use the side of the road.”  

Dune protection

Etiquette of visitors in the residential areas was the second topic of the committee’s July 30 meeting, particularly children playing on the dune and people using the dune as an outdoor bathroom.

Councilman Dennis Reardon, a longtime beach resident, said the solution could be as simple as adding fencing around the dune and signage to inform visitors it’s off limits. 

“Most of the people who visit Lewes Beach don’t appreciate the value of the dunes and that they’re there to protect the homes,” he said. “The dunes are precious, and they’re our protection. We have to do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

The committee was not in favor adding bathroom facilities anywhere between Savannah Road and Roosevelt Inlet. 

“I think that would be crazy,” said Pres Lee, Board of Public Works president and beach resident.

He said it’s been suggested the city add bathrooms near Children’s Beach House, a popular place to park about halfway between Savannah Road and Roosevelt Inlet, but he doesn’t like that idea. 

“Children’s Beach House wouldn’t appreciate that,” he said. “And as their property committee chairman, I would be the first to vote against it.”

Several beach residents commented on the lack of trash facilities on the beach, and that many weeklong visitors leave their beach toys, chairs and kayaks in the dune to avoid carrying them back and forth to the beach each day.

Residents recommended the city increase trash pickup along the beach, as many of the receptacles overflow.

Poor behavior could be curbed through enforcement, and Police Chief Tom Spell said his officers will increase their patrolling of the area during the weekends through the remainder of the summer.

Resident Stephanie Tsantes said she misses the seasonal police officers, which were cut out of the budget this year. She said their presence on the beach is often enough of a deterrent to keep people in line. 

She suggested more be done to inform the weekly renters of proper beach etiquette. 

The committee will meet at 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 6, at city hall. The topics of this meeting will be a discussion on replacing all stop signs on roads connecting Cedar Street to Bay Avenue with yield signs and a discussion about the vision of Lewes Beach in the future.