Nanticoke Crossing Park opening celebration set June 24
Bordering one of the most historic sites in southern Delaware and the center of the Nanticoke Heritage Byway, the Sussex Land Trust will be hosting a public celebration from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, June 24 at the new Nanticoke Crossing Park.
Located adjacent to the Woodland Ferry outside Bethel, this special event has been several years in the making and highlights land that will soon be turned into a public recreational site.
“The Land Trust is proud to have purchased this property near the pristine Nanticoke River and excited that we’re finally achieving the long-term plan we envisioned when we first expressed interest in this beautiful plot of land several years ago,” said Russ McCabe, long-time Land Trust board member. “We hope everyone will join us this weekend as we celebrate what is soon to come for this public property in western Sussex County.”
To make it easier to attend the event, the historic Woodland Ferry, which is currently closed on the weekends due to a captain’s shortage, will be operating from 1 to 5 p.m. June 24.
Locally prepared food, craft beer and live bluegrass music will also be a part of this special event, which is meant to kick start the next phase of this years-long project.
For anyone using GPS service to find the site, Nanticoke Crossing Park can be found at Woodland Ferry Road and Dot Avenue. The park includes a 29-acre forest, 12 acres of open space and nearly 2,000 feet of natural shoreline. Future plans for the property will be announced during the event.
Since 2001, the Sussex County Land Trust has purchased, protected and managed open space parcels throughout Sussex County.
A total of 11 properties now make up the Land Trust’s portfolio, including both Nanticoke Crossing Park and Ickford Park, site of the Cannon-Maston House.
The Nanticoke Heritage Byway features several dozen sites of historical significance in western Sussex County. The byway was formed in 2009 and supported by the Sussex County Council at that time.
For much more on the byway, go to nanticokeheritagebyway.org or email nanticokeheritagebyway@gmail.com.
